​Below are a few of the evidence-based modalities in which we may weave into our work together, depending on your needs. If there are certain therapeutic offerings that stand out to you and of which you have particular interest, please mention these in our initial consultation. While we will work together to create the most supportive plan for you, certain therapies are especially helpful to particular issues. We can discuss this further as we become more aware of  the issues you may be facing and the work you'd like to do in our time together. 
Evidence-Based Therapeutic Offerings 
Grief/Trauma Therapy
EMDR Therapy
​Trauma-Sensitive Yoga for Anxiety & Depression
Mindfulness, Meditation, & Guided Imagery
​Nature-based Expressive Arts Therapy
​Somatic Awareness/Experiencing
​Expressive Arts Therapy
Body-Centered Therapy
Breath Work
Ecotherapy
Trauma-Informed Perspective
In the past 40 years, thanks to the research of individuals like Bessel van der Kolk (The Body Keeps the Score), Peter Levine (Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma, In an Unspoken Voice), and other neuroscientists and psychological researches, we have learned so much about how trauma (a deeply distressing or disturbing event) affects the brain. Our brains are wired to be on the look-out for a threat or danger in order to keep us alive. However, when we experience a traumatic event, our brains can get "stuck" in a hypervigilant state in which it is constantly on high alert. Over time, this can wreak havoc on our nervous system and emotions, leading to further complications and tricking us into thinking that the same event, or something similar, could happen at any moment. This can show up in our bodies in the form of increased heart rate, shallow breathing, sweaty palms, digestive issues, paranoid thoughts, and erratic or reactive behavior. This state of "fight or flight," which we may associate with heightened anxiety, can sometimes lead to mental, emotion, and physical exhaustion, or depression. Our hearts and minds feel like they have no ability to rest or feel relieved from trying to keep us safe, and so we start to feel hopeless. In the work we do together, we will learn how the situations you may have faced throughout your life have impacted your nervous system. We will work with your body, mind, heart, and spirit to help you find a sense of groundedness, safety, relief, and support. Only by working with what is---accepting how you've been impacted---can you begin to create the change that will lead to living the life you want and regaining a sense of healthy control back over your life. 
EMDR Therapy
EMDR ​(Eye-Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) is a highly-effective, evidence-based form of therapy to help treat Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and other trauma-related diagnoses. EMDR works by using bi-lateral stimulation to activate the various parts of the brain that have been "cut off" from communicating with one another in order to help them to begin to reconnect and communicate more effectively. One way of thinking about it is that trauma can "scramble" the communication in the brain, making the processing of an event feel disorganized, forcing the memory or experience to play on  "repeat" in the mind. The thoughts, physical sensations, and emotions can be interruptive to our daily functioning. Through EMDR, the brain has an opportunity to reorganize the events and "file away" the memory in a way that feels less intrusive. For more information regarding EMDR and what the process is like, please inquire during your complimentary 20-minute consultation. 
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is often defined as "being aware of what's happening in the present moment, without judgement." As humans, we often go about our day-to-day lives "mindlessly," without thought or intention behind our actions. We create routines and go about them, knowing that we must get from point A to point B. We label things as "good" or "bad" almost without awareness.

By bringing mindfulness into our counseling sessions, we will the intentional slowing down of our bodily sensations, mental processes, and emotion experiencing while practicing awareness of what is coming up with curiosity and observation, suspending our labeling, in order to be aware of "what is". Then, with time and practice, we can begin to choose how to respond rather than mindlessly react to various circumstances. 
Ecotherapy
 Ecotherapy is the field of bringing nature and nature-based awareness into therapy, not only as an inspiration, but a fellow participant and collaborator in the therapeutic process. Everywhere we turn, nature has so much to teach us, be it about accepting change through the seasons, observing and appreciating the cycle of life and our place within that, finding comfort and connection to the "greater than," and so much more. 

With much of the world now embracing "forest bathing," becoming more environmentally conscious, and accepting responsibility as stewards of the Earth, ecotherapy can offer us a lot when we are feeling the need to feel more grounded and connected to something beyond ourselves. 
Body-Centered, Somatic Experiencing, & Breath Work
Body​-centered, somatic experiencing, & breath work are therapeutic modalities in which we become aware of our bodily sensations, observe and begin to work with our breath, and intentionally move our bodies in ways that can bring comfort, peace, or empowerment. Much of our Western world and many of our foundational religions and philosophies can often be focused on a mental or spiritual plane that can make us feel disconnected from and even judge our bodies as "lesser than." However, our bodies are not just the "suits" we wear or the vehicles to get our minds and hearts around. They are intricately and intimately connected to our beings. They are much of who we are. We may find ourselves judging them due to chronic pain or illness, not appearing the way we or society deems we "should," or feeling that our "flesh" limits us for countless reasons. However, what we now know about our bodies and brains, and how trauma impacts us is that our initial responses within a threatening situation are to respond physiologically. Many of our reactions that feel "out of our control," are just that. Before we can begin the healing process, we must work to help ourselves feel comfortable with and safe within our own bodies. Through mindfully noticing our bodily sensations and their purposes, through working with our breath, and even moving our bodies in ways that can bring comfort or release, we can restore our relationship with our bodies, rather than condemn them. We can begin appreciating them for all that they do for us, even with the limitations that they may present us individually. Ultimately, we find a place of acceptance, partnership, and control within ourselves again. 
 Expressive Arts Therapy
Expressive Arts Therapy is a multimodal, creative approach in which the various ways of expressive ourselves begin to work together, in relationship, to help us understand and express what often our words may not be able to. When our brains experience a trauma, our pre-frontal cortexes go "offline," or what we sometimes affectionally call "flipping our lids." This is the part of the brain responsible for language, cognition, reason, and logic. Oftentimes when we feel threatened, we literally do not have the words to express what is happening for us in the moment or what happened to us in the past. Until some healing comes, we need different "tools" or "languages" with which to speak. This may come in the form of images, metaphors, colors, sounds, movements, etc. Through the use and layering of visual arts, poetry, storytelling, imagery, music, movement, etc, we can begin connecting with the inner most parts of ourselves, make meaning of our experiences from only which we can understand, and then begin to offer that understanding to a supportive witness. Expressive Arts Therapy focuses on the process over the product and asks us to trust the process itself. By turning inward, with these new tools, we are able to excavate the inner most pieces of ourselves, "see" them in new ways, and create meaning that can lead to deeper growth and healing than sometimes language can offer us. 
Nature-based
​Expressive Arts Therapy
Nature-based Expressive Arts Therapy is the integration of Expressive Arts and Ecotherapy. 
Individuals are able to become "co-creators" with nature, first observing, appreciating, and then joining together of concept, matter, and found material. By tuning into self, tuning into the "greater than," and finding a voice for the internal through the external, the individual and more-than-human world become collaborators. 
Teletherapy
Teletherapy, or telehealth, is an increasingly acceptable form of therapy that allows for treatment via long-distance through the use of technology. Whether due to the recent COVID-19 precautions, living in a rural area with limited resources, or traveling often due to work or life circumstances, teletherapy ensures that treatment is available and can continue.  Teletherapy is different than meeting in person with a therapist and so it's important to know, understand, and be aware of issues that may arise, such as compromised confidentiality, technological glitches, and other complications that may not be considered with in-person therapy. For more information about teletherapy, how it works, and to decide whether it's right for you, please email to inquire. We're happy to review this information with you in your free 20-minute consultation. 

"Perhaps strength doesn't reside in having never been broken, but in the courage required to grow strong in the broken places."
Carine McCandless