Whatever brings you in—whether it is trauma, grief, dissociation, anxiety, or depression—my hope is to provide a soft place for you to land. You may feel stuck, overwhelmed, or uncomfortable in your own skin, but you are also resilient. You want to heal, but perhaps you have lost hope that true healing is possible. My practice is built on the belief that by increasing our "Window of Realness"—moving beyond just tolerating the world to fully engaging with it—we can discover our most authentic selves. I specialize in helping survivors of extreme life experiences and those navigating major transitions to claim back their power. From our very first interaction, you will feel acknowledged, respected, and empowered as a human being with valid rights and needs.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
I approach every new therapeutic relationship with an open mind and a commitment to your safety. While we will establish a diagnosis for your treatment record and outline primary goals, you are in the driver's seat. I believe therapy is most successful when you are fully aware of the process, so we will co-create a master plan broken down into attainable, realistic steps written in your own words. This process requires active participation from both of us. I will provide the tools, resources, and a non-judgmental environment for you to discover your strategy for self-discovery. Whether we are problem-solving or exploring deep-seated patterns, you will leave with a clear sense of direction and ownership over your healing journey.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I am a champion in your corner, dedicated to helping you live within your most authentic 'Window of Realness." My greatest strength is creating a 'holding environment'—a consistent, non-judgmental space where you are fully heard. My driving passion is to be an expression of love through unconditional acceptance, helping you feel safe from our very first phone call. Because traumatic material often gets "stuck" at different developmental levels, I use an eclectic approach to help you express what needs to be expressed. In a single session, we might start with traditional talk therapy and end with drawing, movement, or nature-based connection. By integrating the outdoors or natural metaphors, we can often find grounding and perspective that traditional offices can't provide. I will be a champion in your corner, providing a sounding board as you learn to love and accept yourself fully. I also use an integrative approach to ensure therapy fits you, rather than forcing you to fit a specific model. Because of the tendency of trauma can getting ‘stuck,’ we might transition from talk therapy to drawing or movement within a natural environment to help your body and mind speak the same language. Not every season of life calls for deep excavation. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is rest and regain your strength. You may be navigating a crisis, a major transition, or a period of intense grief where the idea of "processing" your past feels overwhelming or impossible. That is completely valid. If deep processing feels impossible right now, we focus on the here and now, prioritizing your immediate well-being so you can move from survival back to balance. In these moments, my supportive approach serves as a stabilizer. Instead of asking you to analyze deep-seated patterns, we will work together to identify practical solutions for your current stressors and reinforce the resilience you already possess. Think of this as shoring up the foundation of your "Window of Realness." My goal is to provide a consistent, non-judgmental space—a "holding environment"—where you are fully heard and validated. This stabilizes your nervous system, allowing you to move from a state of survival back to a place of balance and confidence.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
As a survivor myself, I have a deep passion for working with clients who are healing from trauma and abuse, facing life transitions, or processing grief and loss. My clients are often eager to improve and actively engaged, but they currently lack the specific tools to make their goals a reality. I am best suited for individuals who are ready to bring their whole selves to the session—even the parts that feel broken or overwhelmed. I hold a sacred space for you to explore the many facets of this thing called life, helping you move from simply surviving to truly discovering your authentic self.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma Informed Care is the foundation of my practice. It means shifting our focus from "what is wrong with you" to "what happened to you" and honoring the brilliant ways you have adapted to survive. I have an extensive history working with at-risk adolescents and adults, which has given me a deep respect for the resilience of the human spirit. I understand that symptoms are often safety mechanisms that have outlived their usefulness. My approach prioritizes your safety, choice, and collaboration above all else. We will move at a pace that feels manageable for you, ensuring you never feel overwhelmed or re-traumatized. Using a personalized combination of therapeutic tools, we will tailor a treatment path that helps you move from simply surviving your history to reclaiming your authentic self.
Attachment-based
We are biologically wired for connection, but for many survivors of trauma or neglect, relationships have been sources of pain rather than safety. You may find yourself longing for closeness but terrified of letting your guard down, or perhaps you feel a chronic sense of loneliness even when others are near. In my 26 years of experience working with trauma and dissociation, I have found that deep healing cannot happen in isolation. My attachment-based approach is founded on the belief that we are wounded in relationship, and so we must heal in relationship. I view our sessions as a "secure base"—a consistent, non-judgmental space where you can practice trusting another human being again. By experiencing a relationship where you are fully seen, heard, and respected, we can begin to rewrite the internal "blueprint" that tells you it is unsafe to be vulnerable. This process allows you to move from self-protection to connection, eventually helping you build healthier, more satisfying relationships outside the therapy room.
Compassion Focused
Many of the clients I work with are their own harshest critics. You may find that while you are incredibly kind to others, you speak to yourself with harshness, judgment, or shame. You might even feel that being hard on yourself is the only way to stay motivated or safe. Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is designed to help us understand that this internal battle is not your fault—it is often a biological response to trauma. Our brains have a "threat system" (designed to protect us) and a "soothing system" (designed to help us feel safe and connected). For many survivors, the threat system is overactive, while the soothing system is underdeveloped. My approach involves helping you turn down the volume on that inner critic and activate your brain's capacity for self-soothing. Together, we will build your "compassionate mind," giving you the tools to face your pain with warmth rather than judgment. This practice is a key part of widening your "Window of Realness," allowing you to treat yourself with the same unconditional acceptance that you so freely give to others.
Motivational Interviewing
It is completely normal to want to change and to fear it at the same time. You may find yourself feeling "stuck"—knowing where you want to go, but finding it difficult to take the first step. This isn't a lack of willpower; it is often a sign that a part of you is trying to stay safe. Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative approach that honors your autonomy. Instead of telling you what to do or pushing you before you are ready, I work with you to explore your own reasons for change. We will gently examine the things that are holding you back, not to judge them, but to understand them. My goal is to help you tap into your own inner wisdom and strength. By resolving the mixed feelings that keep you stuck, you can move forward with confidence, making choices that are truly aligned with your values and your authentic self.
Trauma-Focused CBT
The idea of facing your past can feel terrifying. Many of my clients worry that if they open the door to their traumatic memories, they will be overwhelmed or unable to close it again. You might feel that avoiding these memories is the only way to stay safe. Trauma Focused CBT (TF-CBT) is a structured, evidence-based approach designed to make this process safe and manageable. Think of it as a roadmap: we never go off-roading into painful territory without a clear plan and the right gear. We start by building your "toolkit"—concrete skills for relaxation and emotional regulation—so you feel steady and grounded. Only when you are ready do we move into processing your story (the Trauma Narrative) at a pace that you control. This structure ensures that you are not just re-living the pain, but actively mastering it, allowing you to place the trauma in the past where it belongs and move forward with your "Window of Realness" fully open.
2 ratings with written reviews
April 21, 2025
EXCELLENT introduction with Mandie!!
February 8, 2025
It went great. I look forward to working with Mandie.