New to Grow
Hello! I have been in practice for 5 years predominantly in the beautiful Flagstaff, AZ area. I am now located in lovely Payson, AZ seeing clients both over telehealth and in person at a gorgeous historic house office. My background as a yoga teacher influences my work to include a mind-body connection. My overview for therapy is to guide clients with learning more about themselves through talk therapy, practicing CBT and DBT skills, adopting new perspectives, mindfulness practices, and eventually processing trauma and related anxieties in ongoing therapy.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first few sessions will be comprised of general intake questions, history taking, and assessments to get to know you and your needs for therapy. Some mindfulness skills to reduce stress and anxiety, and introductions to CBT and DBT will be guided. Treatment planning through identifying goals are collaborated between client and therapist. I prefer to guide my clients towards skills and work they can begin implementing in daily life- but also holding space as a priority for you to process and talk about what is most relevant and helpful during each session.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I have always been a great listener; my client as the focus with empathy, compassion, and support in helping to understand their experience and needs. A background in both yoga and as salon/spa worker previously- shapes my therapeutic style in unique ways, aiding in valuing a calm, customized approach for each person.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I enjoy working with adult clients of all ages, backgrounds, cultures, and identifications. Openness to expressing oneself, open to learning, and being guided through modalities and skills is encouraged. Therapy can take time to make progress. Having patience to explore, with willingness to practice more self-compassion are great qualities for success!
EMDR
My practice includes working through the initial stages of EMDR and other modalities during history taking, assessments, mindfulness skills, CBT, and DBT. Using the EMDR processing phase for trauma and anxiety related issues will be focused on once skill building and readiness is met during (post initial 3-5 sessions).
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Identifying client's automatic negative thinking styles is important in the early phase of therapy. With collaboration, seeing how best to reframe in a way which feels true for the client is helpful to incorporate into daily practice.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Using DBT to illustrate how the mind is comprised (reasonable mind, emotion mind, and wisemind) can be helpful as a basis. Learning to apply and use mindfulness skills to access wisemind as much as possible is encouraged, while working on other useful skills for emotional regulation, better communication, and positive behavioral changes.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Clients are guided with brief mindfulness, eft and body tapping, somatic activities, as well as gentle yoga to enhance one's ability to regulate emotions and find calm/peace. Mindfulness is also a necessary component prior to and during EMDR processing phase.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Applying some parts perspective activities for everyday regulation as well as assisting in EMDR is focused on as it comes up. Parts work is more helpful for some clients than others- and is guided as clients connect with this approach organically.