Services & Approach

How we work together

A Trauma-Informed, Collaborative Approach

I believe that feeling respected, informed, and involved in your own care is an important foundation for meaningful therapeutic work. My approach is grounded in trauma-informed principles, with a strong emphasis on consent, transparency, collaboration, and choice.

I strive to take the mystery out of therapy by being open about the approaches I use, why I might suggest them, and what you can expect along the way. Whether we’re exploring difficult experiences, trying a new technique, or considering EMDR, I want you to understand the process and feel comfortable asking questions, expressing concerns, or choosing not to participate in something.

I also recognize that everyone approaches therapy differently. Some people appreciate structure and guidance, while others prefer a more exploratory process. Some want to understand the reasoning behind every intervention, while others would rather focus on the experience itself. I’ll take time to learn about your preferences, what has or hasn’t worked for you in the past, and what helps you feel supported.

My goal is to meet you where you are while also bringing my clinical knowledge and judgment into our work. This means balancing your preferences and autonomy with thoughtful recommendations, honest conversations, and appropriate therapeutic challenges. I won’t always suggest what’s easiest or most comfortable, but I’ll work to ensure that challenges are collaborative, purposeful, and approached at a pace that respects your needs and readiness.

Above all, I want therapy to feel like something we do together, rather than something being done to you.

01 / Our work together

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy approach that can support processing distressing experiences. It can help us work with memories that continue to feel overwhelming or present, rather than relying on conversation alone.

Treatment is individualized and collaborative. We begin with preparation and assessment, attend carefully to emotional safety and readiness, and decide together whether EMDR fits your needs. There is no guaranteed outcome or one pace that works for everyone.

EMDR isn’t right for everyone, and we’ll assess that together. I’m happy to work with you whether or not we use EMDR — I have many different approaches to pull from.

02 / Our work together

Somatic & Body-Based Therapy

Our bodies are deeply connected to our emotional experiences, yet it isn’t always easy to notice or understand what they’re communicating. Trauma, chronic pain, illness, and prolonged stress can sometimes leave us feeling disconnected from our bodies, overwhelmed by physical sensations, or unsure how to respond to what we’re feeling.

Somatic therapy brings gentle attention to the connection between mind and body. In our work together, I may invite you to notice where emotions show up physically, how your body responds to different experiences, or what sensations arise as we explore something meaningful. Rather than trying to change or judge these responses, we approach them with curiosity and use that awareness to deepen our understanding of your experiences.

My approach is informed by polyvagal theory and emphasizes developing nervous system awareness, regulation skills, and a greater sense of safety within your body. This might involve learning to recognize signs of activation or shutdown, identifying what helps you feel more grounded, or experimenting with ways to support your nervous system when things feel overwhelming.

One practice I sometimes offer is a nervous system safety check. During a virtual session, we might explore your surroundings together, noticing how lighting, sounds, seating, objects, or other environmental factors affect how your body feels. From there, we can identify small adjustments that may help your environment feel more comfortable and supportive, while gradually developing a sense of safety and trust in your body that may, over time, extend beyond our therapy sessions and into your everyday life.

I believe meaningful therapeutic growth often involves some degree of challenge, but that challenge is most helpful when it’s supported by a foundation of trust, choice, and nervous system regulation. Rather than pushing through discomfort for its own sake, we’ll work together to find a pace that allows room for both exploration and stability.

Movement may also be incorporated when it’s helpful, drawing on my background as a yoga instructor and climber. However, movement is never required, and somatic work doesn’t have to involve physical activity at all. Everything is adapted to your needs, preferences, abilities, and relationship with your body.

03 / Our work together

Parts-Informed Therapy

Parts-informed work draws on ideas from Internal Family Systems (IFS) to explore different aspects of ourselves with curiosity and compassion. You may notice a part that wants change and another that feels protective or hesitant.

We make room to understand these experiences, the needs behind them, and the roles they have played in your life—without trying to push them away.

04 / Our work together

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT supports psychological flexibility: finding more ways to respond when difficult thoughts or feelings show up. Together, we can explore your values, make room for experiences you cannot simply switch off, and take meaningful action toward what matters to you.

Our goal is not to eliminate every uncomfortable feeling, but to support a life that reflects your values.