What to Expect

You have been directed here to get a sense of how I work. I’d like you to explore this website in its entirety to determine if I’m offering what it is you are looking for.

At this time, I do only short-term trauma-focused work using EMDR therapy. The EMDR therapy model is the frame through which I consider all that you share with me and through which I formulate my recommendations for treatment. I also have training in Ego State Therapy, Mindfulness, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, expressive therapies, and the autonomic nervous system using both the Window of Tolerance model and the Polyvagal Theory. (These additional therapies help to inform me of all that might be needed as we proceed using EMDR therapy.) I am a lifelong learner and continue to seek training, consultation, and continuing education in trauma-specific interventions so that I may provide the most up-to-date and effective healing services possible.

Please be aware that at this time, I do not see new clients for ongoing supportive psychotherapy. Furthermore, I work only in an adjunctive capacity, which means you already have a supportive psychotherapist, and see me only for a predetermined, highly focused piece of work. My goal for you is to no longer need therapy on a regular basis. Once you have read everything on this site, and you feel this way of working fits what you are looking for, your next step is to discuss the following readiness criteria with your primary psychotherapist. Please consider whether you currently have these capacities (or need to further develop them):

• Strong motivation to change and grow.
• Curiosity, interest in learning about self (and the willingness to suspend relentless and distorted criticism of self).
• The capacity to observe and reflect on your internal experience instead of reacting. Can you observe how you are feeling and think through how to handle it?
• Readiness to trust yourself and know what’s true.
• Ability to tolerate discomfort and uncertainty.
• Ability to shift states and calm your nervous system, moving from anxiety/distress to neutral or calm.
• Ability to stay connected to the present moment while being in touch with what happened in the past.
• Sufficient capacity to attach to, and trust, me/trust the process.
• Access to positive experiences and memories.
• An interest in having compassion towards yourself.

This list can help you and your therapist better understand your strengths. It can also help you determine what you still need to work on in order to be ready for this work. If either you or your primary therapist needs to speak with me about these readiness criteria, you are more than welcome to contact me with questions.

The reason for this review of your capacities and readiness is to make sure this model is a good fit for you at this time. If so, and if I currently have openings, we will proceed with having you complete several forms and measures; I will get your input and your primary therapist’s input regarding your treatment goals; and then you and I will meet for a thorough assessment. During this assessment and beyond, I will strive to learn all I can about who you are and how you interact in the world, so that the work we do best suits you and your unique needs. During this initial phase of our work, it will be important for you to make an assessment of your own. You will want to consider whether or not we seem to be working well together, the level of trust you have in me and the therapy process, your ability to honestly confide in me, and your motivation to work toward your goals. At any time throughout the process, I welcome your questions and concerns. If we both determine that what you are looking for and what I am offering are a good fit, we will establish goals and intentions for our work and anticipate the length of time needed. The goals that we choose will be tailored to you and your needs. While some goals are established for the sake of change and improvement, others may serve to simply restore healthy functioning. For example, if you have been assaulted, our initial goals will probably be more restorative in nature. We may work to decrease the number of flashbacks and other symptoms that you may be experiencing, as well as to re-establish a sense of safety in your life and relationships, and regain a sense of having choice. Once these initial goals are met, we may consider a specific direction of growth.

This model is an alternative to traditional talk therapy, where you will be invited to explore deeper themes, participate experientially, and leave treatment with a shift in how you see yourself, your story, and your choices moving forward. Your participation is critical. In order for you to reach the goals that we establish together, it will be necessary for you to show up and commit yourself wholeheartedly to this work.