Do you constantly question yourself? Think nothing will ever work out? Are you always angry and lose your temper over little things? Never trust anyone? These can all symptoms of trauma, which influence so many areas of your life. Are you tired of running from difficult memories and pushing people away? If so, I am ready to hear your story and begin the healing process with you. Have you struggled with talk therapy in the past? Have trouble putting thoughts and feelings into words? I use a combination of Expressive Arts Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy. You do not need to be an artist to participate. Expressive Arts are simply any form of artistic expression. Some examples are: painting, drawing, scribbling, poetry, journaling, collage, music.....so many different options. You are not alone in your journey. There is hope. Cognitive Processing Therapy is an evidenced-based treatment. Including Expressive Arts Therapy gives a non-verbal platform for expressing difficult memories and emotions without having to find the words.

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

The journey to self-understanding and growth is a road not easily traveled. To be honest, this painful road is too often avoided. Change is difficult. I use a non-judgmental, compassionate approach with an honest sense of humor. Sometimes we need to laugh as much as we need to cry. I meet my clients where they are without pressure or demands. Healing takes time and I am willing to walk that road with you for as long as it takes. If incorporating expressive arts increases your anxiety, let's talk about it. It is never mandatory. Saying that, I have witnessed client art that tells a deeper story to help the talk therapy process.

What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?

I am dedicated to helping women work through trauma by integrating many modalities of expressive arts with Cognitive Processing Therapy. I embrace the role of non-verbal expression, particularly through the arts, as a way increase personal understanding and growth. I have witnessed client's art target areas that may be missed in talk therapy. Clients do not need to be an artist but just an have interest in gently exploring their experience through expressive arts which can be as simple as a painting or drawing using color, line and movement that represents what the client is experiencing.

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

My biggest strength is my passion for helping those suffering from the symptoms of trauma and anxiety. With this passion fueling me, I have become highly focused on applying Expressive Arts Therapy to Cognitive Processing Therapy. It has been my experience that clients who struggle with labeling and feeling their emotions benefit from incorporating expressive arts. In my personal life, I have benefited from using art in healing. Another strength is my down-to-earth, direct approach. No one is alone. We are all a part of the human race and each one of us struggles, including me. I have been known to share a personal story a time or two if it helps a client feel less alone in the world.