I have an LPC and an LMFT and have been seeing clients since 1996. I have extensive training in helping people who are going through or have experienced narcissistic abuse and any form of childhood trauma, this includes verbal and emotional abuse, family addictions, or any early childhood experience that would cause one to feel unsafe. I am also experienced in the treatment of anxiety, worry and mood concerns and work with addictions, obsessive compulsive behaviors and any poor coping skills or core beliefs that were developed in order to manage these stressors. I use practices primarily focused on somatic and cognitive therapy but also utilize acceptance commitment therapy, internal family systems, mindfulness and am solution focused. I use homework and assignments aimed at regulating the nervous system in order to repair the fight/flight/freeze response that is often stuck on due to a continuous history of a variety of life stressors (trauma). This trapped and stored trauma continues to trigger the nervous system to respond in ways where we continue to feel unsafe, even after the threats have passed. By working with the nervous system to release this trapped trauma and find safety, we can then have the opportunity to respond to the world differently.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

Clients can share any part of their story or life history with me that they would like to. I will listen with a nonjudgmental, open mind. I am also interested in any symptoms that are presenting, and how. I also feel that the three pillars of mental health are important to discuss, these are sleeping, eating and movement habits. I like to jump right in and offer some tools that a client can start immediately to address the symptoms that they are presenting with, provide psychoeducation and build a plan going forward.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

I am truly non-judgmental, open minded, and not shocked by anything. Due to this people tend to feel comfortable sharing with me. I am very supportive, understanding and respectful. In addition to all of my training, self study and years of experience I also bring a plethora of life experiences with me as well which make me a better therapist.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

I love working with adults who have experienced early childhood stressors of any kind. Often people do not realize they have had trauma and will report that they had a good childhood, going on vacations and having all of their practical needs met. However upon further discussion it is revealed that a parent drank a lot, was unpredictable, was passive aggressive or gave the silent treatment, they were bullied by peers or siblings, their boundaries were violated, they did not have any emotional support, or were told who to be and how to be it. These folks have entered the adult world with a stored sense of unsafety, having developed maladaptive coping skills and core beliefs that they are not okay, that love is conditional, and they have turned to unhealthy habits to try and ease the pain of this without understanding how or why these coping strategies have developed. I have prioritized working with individuals who are feeling the results of this as either anxiety or depression, which is the fight/flight and freeze response and adults who turn to addictions or obsessive behaviors of any kind as a means of gaining some sense of control over their world. I also specialize in working with adults who are the victims of narcissistic abuse, which is one of the main ways in which these patterns can develop.

About Sheri Fay

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