Rebekah Roberts
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) trained in Somatic Experiencing® and Trauma-Focused CBT. I work with clients of all ages utilizing a multimodal approach with somatic-based (a body-oriented therapy) as my foundation. In conjunction with mindfulness, and eco-therapy (nature therapy), as well as more mainstreamed evidenced-base modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, and Humanistic (Person-Centered) Therapy. My style is collaborative, compassionate while being direct when needed, and able to hold space to help you build safety, insight, and lasting change in your body, mind, emotions, and spirit. I believe that traumatic events do not have to be a life sentence of dysregulation and insure attachments. I offer in person or video. Just a quick note about scheduling: therapy sessions are scheduled on the hour, not the half hour. Thank you and I look forward to working with you.
First session
Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and discuss what brings you to therapy. Review goals if you have any you would like to focus on. I interduce you to the modalities, Somatic Experiencing and the Polyvagal Theory, and my healing philosophy I utilizing in therapy. I believe we need to work with the whole person.
Strengths
I love helping individuals, families, and couples of all ages heal and grow on their journey utilizing a holistic approach (mind, body, emotions, and spirit). I offer in person or video. You are the only one who knows what is best for you that is why I work as a working partner in your healing journey. I hold the space with warmth, understanding, and companion; however, I can be direct and can challenge you if needed. I work with the whole you and your systems of your life to help you understand, grow, and cultivate your goals. I utilize open communication to create a supportive, non-judgmental environment. I practice active listening and will give you opportunities to reflect on your experiences with you as an empathetic working partner. I am supportive and direct when needed. I utilize stories and analogies to help you. I see therapy as a working partnership. Together, we’ll set goals that matter to you. We will review your goals and we’ll adapt your plan to stay meaningful and supportive as you move toward where you want to be. I assign homework to assist you in your journey, such as self-regulation tools, cognitive tools, and others. You healing is the priority.
Ideal clients
If you are going through something currently or your past is not letting you live the life you want, we can work together to help you become the person you want to be and the life you want to live. Anxiety, depression, trauma, and attachment can override our dreams and desires. However, if you are ready to do the work and want the help to achieve your goals then setting up a session would be your first step to change and healing. I also work with families and couples who know the patterns and systems they have created are not working any longer but need help changing. I find within families and couples’ systems it is not always one identified person creating havoc, but the attachment patterns and traumas responses that need to be healed within the whole families and couples' systems. Regarding couples some come to work things out where others come to learn how to say good-bye.
Treatment methods
Somatic
I assist the clients in working with their body sensations (felt-sense). Through having the client focusing on the sensations to here and now (titration), so the client does not become overwhelmed. Trauma, stress, anxiety, and depression are held in the body by working with the body through the nervous system the body can learn how to self-regulate and feel safe again. Thus, the mind will follow, because everything is connected.
Polyvagal Therapy
I assist the clients in working with their body sensations (felt-sense). Through having the client focusing on the sensations to here and now (titration), so the client does not become overwhelmed. Trauma, stress, anxiety, and depression are held in the body by working with the body through the nervous system the body can learn how to self-regulate and feel safe again. Thus, the mind will follow, because everything is connected.
Trauma-Focused CBT
This method helps the client process mentally what happened. However, there are many stages that help the client process their trauma/stressors within this method: first education: about trauma, how it affects the body, the trauma/stress responses, and triggers; second coping/calming tools are taught to the client for preparation for them to tell their narrative (story); then when the client is ready I assist the client in discussing and processing what happened; ending with the focus on here and now, as well as safety. I incorporate the somatic method, so that the client does not become overwhelmed by this method.
Attachment-based
I will explain how early childhood bonds with primary caregivers shape a person’s emotional development and their capacity to form trusting secure relationships in their lives. Through the working therapeutic relationship, the client can use the secure base to repair trust, process old relationship wounds, and build healthier patterns for current and future relationships.
Play Therapy
This as well as sand tray therapy help children process things they cannot talk about. In session it looks like the child and I are just playing; however, I am listening and assisting the client in processing his/her thoughts and feelings.