Hi there, I'm Denise. Do you feel anxious, worried, or depressed and overwhelmed with your life? Are you struggling to feel happy? Do you feel past trauma is affecting your ability to heal? Is it hard to be kind to yourself or to tell yourself that you are doing all that you can? Together, we can build a safe place so that we can find what's not working for you and get you back to a place where your mind, body, and spirit feel at ease. We'll use a mindfulness approach and identify those negative thoughts and come up with a balanced adaptive thought that can help you feel better. I integrate mindfulness and an Eye Movement Desensitization Approach (EMDR), along with Cognitive Behavioral Theory and several other approaches to help you develop a stronger relationship with yourself. All of this comes from a strength based, trauma informed, culturally informed perspective where we will identify your strengths and your plan to help yourself heal. I'm here to help and understand that seeking therapy can feel overwhelming and scary but you're making the right choice. You deserve a safe space to heal and grow. In our sessions together, I'll meet you with compassion and evidence-based techniques so you can overcome the thoughts and habits holding you back.

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

In our first session together, we will discuss what you are seeking out of therapy, what strategies we should use and how we plan to get there. We also discuss the "rules of the road" such as how to make an appointment with me, how to get hold of me and what to do in an emergency. If you are also wanting to bill insurance, we will discuss who to contact to get all of your insurance questions answered.

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

I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which focuses on your past, present, and future worries. EMDR uses eye movements and other forms of stimulation to activate the brain’s ability to resolve troubling thoughts. EMDR helps you feel better, not just think you are better. It has long been an effective treatment for people who have experienced life-threatening or repeated incidents of trauma such as in war, child or adult victimization. I am also certified as a trauma informed clinician. Trauma-informed care recognizes and responds to the signs, symptoms, and risks of trauma to better support the health needs of people who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress such as COVID 19. I look forward to talking with you soon.

About Denise Harlan