Areas of Expertise

The Daring Way™

The Daring Way™ is a highly effective personal development program based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown. This powerful protocol helps individuals, teams, and organizations cultivate courage, resilience, and wholeheartedness in order to live and work more authentically and meaningfully.

At its core, the Daring Way™ is about embracing vulnerability as a key to growth and connection. Through a series of experiential exercises, group discussions, and guided reflections, participants learn how to:

Identify and challenge the shame and self-limiting beliefs that hold them back
Develop self-compassion and empathy for themselves and others
Cultivate courage, curiosity, and creativity in the face of uncertainty and risk
Build trust and connection in their personal and professional relationships
Embrace their authentic selves and live in alignment with their values and purpose

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

The theory behind EMDR is that when a person experiences certain events, the memory of the event becomes "stuck" in the brain which triggers negative emotions and behaviors long after the event has passed. This modality is great to help move past the "stuck" pieces, whether that be an effort to move past emotions, behaviors or reactions.

This modality is an excellent fit with trauma, recent or very far past. Additionally, I find it to be very helpful with the clients who say "I don't see how talking is going to help me' or "I've talked about this in the past and it's still coming up." It adds an additional element of bilateral stimulation (BLS) in order to access a different part of the brain than talking allows. Read more about what to expect from our EMDR sessions.

Perinatal Mental Health with EMDR

Perinatal mental health is a critical component of women's health, encompassing the time from conception to one year postpartum. During this time, women experience significant physical and emotional changes that can be overwhelming, and many women also face the challenges of infertility, pregnancy loss, and traumatic childbirth experiences. These experiences can lead to a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

EMDR is an evidence-based treatment that has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health issues, including those that affect the perinatal population. EMDR works by helping clients process traumatic memories and experiences, allowing them to reprocess and integrate the memories in a more adaptive way. The treatment involves a series of eye movements, sounds, or taps that stimulate both sides of the brain, which has been shown to help clients process memories more effectively.

For women in the perinatal period, EMDR can be particularly helpful in addressing issues related to pregnancy loss, traumatic childbirth experiences, and other traumatic events related to the perinatal period. Studies have shown that EMDR can be effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD and anxiety related to traumatic childbirth experiences, and can also help women cope with the grief and loss associated with pregnancy loss.

In addition to its efficacy, EMDR has several other benefits for the perinatal population. Unlike medication, EMDR does not have any side effects and is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. EMDR is also a relatively short-term treatment, typically lasting 6-12 sessions, which can be particularly helpful for women who may have limited time and resources.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a form of psychotherapy that can be particularly helpful for teenagers and young adults who are struggling with emotional regulation, interpersonal difficulties, and self-destructive behaviors. If you or a loved one is considering DBT, here are a few things you can expect during a typical session:

Collaborative approach: DBT is a collaborative approach to therapy, which means that you and your therapist will work together as a team to identify areas of difficulty and set goals for therapy. Your therapist will listen carefully to your concerns and work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your specific needs.
Skills training: One of the key components of DBT is skills training. This typically involves learning a set of specific skills designed to help you regulate your emotions, improve your relationships, and cope with stress more effectively. These skills may include mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Homework and practice: In DBT, you will be expected to practice the skills you learn in session outside of therapy. Your therapist may assign homework assignments or encourage you to practice skills in real-life situations. By practicing these skills regularly, you can develop new habits and patterns of behavior that can lead to lasting change.
Individual and group therapy: DBT typically involves a combination of individual therapy and group therapy. In individual therapy, you will meet one-on-one with your therapist to discuss your progress and work on specific areas of difficulty. In group therapy, you will have the opportunity to practice the skills you are learning with others who are also working to improve their emotional regulation and interpersonal skills.
Validation and acceptance: Finally, DBT is rooted in the principles of validation and acceptance. Your therapist will work to create a safe and supportive environment where you feel heard and understood. Through validation and acceptance, you can learn to accept yourself and your emotions, which can ultimately help you move towards a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Overall, DBT can be a highly effective form of therapy for teenagers and young adults who are struggling with emotional regulation, self-destructive behaviors, and relationship difficulties. By working collaboratively with a trained DBT therapist, you can learn the skills you need to navigate life's challenges more effectively and build a life worth living.

About Me:

My Specialties:

Perinatal support including working through birth story trauma, pregnancy grief and loss/infertility. I'm certified (PMH-C) in Perinatal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International (PSI) which requires ongoing advanced courses in post-partum mental health. Learn more:

EMDR-Certified through Emdria (Emdria.org) which indicates a standard of excellence when it comes to EMDR execution.

My Approach