We start with checking in, attuning to one another and having a dialogue of anything you need/want to bring into the session. From there we have different pathways of exploration such as guided meditation, somatic movement, expressive art modalities, such as or dance, drawing or writing. We will be tuning into how your nervous system is doing, going slow, and using grounding techniques when needed ~~ utilizing different regulation exercises to build safety skills and create scaffolding in your body/nervous system so you can expand on what you can feel/experience and hold within yourself and in the world. Everything is consent based. You always can say no to any prompts, questions, exploration etc. 

In the beginning of sessions we always check in a talk about what is coming up for both parties, goals/intentions, any awarenesses of what is needed in that moment/for that session. From there we collaboratively explore. This might include exploring attachment wounds/styles/traumas and how childhoods impact our relationships presently.

This also can included developing co-regulation skills and exploring our individual regulation skills, exploring new ways of connecting. Depending on if there is interests, I use expressive art therapy modalities, dance/somatic movement practices, which can help explore new depths of connection.   

Somatic work is so very important for healing, and also when you have trauma, there is a level of disembodied that happens (also our society teaches us at a very young age to disembody). When we come back to the body, where trauma lives it can be overwhelming, and in some cases can re-traumatize. Going slow, creating and building the scaffolding for safety in the body and in the nervous system is key. By having our work be collaborative, consent based and relational, all help to heal trauma. I also have a deep personal understanding of trauma and studied how trauma impacts the nervous system and the body which gives me knowledge of how to work with it. We never push past your limits ~~ we listen and honor the wisdom of the body. 

Having a personal understanding and experience of chronic pain and illness, it has given me the  skills to guide others in their journey and challenges of living with chronic pain and illnesses. Similar to working with trauma, honoring the bodies wisdom and never pushing is essential. I create space and support to tune into what the body is needing moment to moment. I help give tools of how to manage and live with chronic pain/illnesses, these tools, could include, art therapy exercises and visualization and guided meditation. I also believe being with people who deeply understand and knows what it can feel like to be in a body with chronic pain/illnesses can be deeply healing. I offer compassion, empathy and connection for what you are experiencing. Feeling alone in pain can add another layer of suffering. We also might work on asking for help, and figuring out our needs and voicing them, setting boundaries, I have found all of these skills essential to alleviating and navigating a life with chronic illnesses. 

Unfortunately, I do not take insurance. I am not licensed, I am registered and did my training through ISMETA (International Somatic Movement Education Therapy Association) and Leven Institute of Expressive Arts. I did not go the route of getting a license. To be clear, I am not a licensed Mental Health Counselor. I am a Registered Somatic Movement Therapist.

However, for the relationship sessions that I co-facilitate with Jacqui Meszaros, we do accept insurance, as she is a Licensed Mental health Counselor.