Welcome! *I am currently only taking in-person clients who are interested in ecotherapy and meeting at a public park in the bay area.* I work with people outside in the natural world, engaging in ecotherapy practices. We would meet at a local park in the East Bay Area, where we would sit, walk, or explore the area while tending to whatever emotions or questions are arising in you. Connecting with nature has been shown to reduce stress, loneliness, depression, and anxiety and provides a rich landscape for personal growth and healing. If you are interested in learning more, please call or text me at: (510) 859-3279 for a free 20-minute consultation (please do so before scheduling on the Grow platform). Current openings: Monday afternoons at Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland, Wednesday afternoons at Tilden Park in Berkeley. Ecotherapy is somewhat different than traditional talk therapy. While there will be space for you to share what is going on in your life, we will also take time to do grounding exercises, practice mindfulness and guided visualizations, and engage with the natural world. This modality provides a uniquely large "container" for healing work associated with woundings from childhood, traumatic experiences, grief, and unlearning patterns that no longer serve you. The natural world shows us the lifecycles of plants and animals, the interdependence of ecosystems, and the colors, textures, sounds and smells that awaken our senses. In this context, there are endless ways to make meaning of the suffering you are experiencing and to gain insight into your emotions and relationships. For people who are exploring their purpose and are considering work or relationship changes, ecotherapy can support you to embody your true self and better understand your role within the community.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, we will meet virtually and discuss your current concerns and goals for therapy. I will ask about your background and get a sense of the history of your present concerns. We will make a plan regarding meeting in person going forward.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
If traditional methods of therapy have not been the best fit for you in the past, ecotherapy could be something to try. If you are seeking in-person therapy, but feel uncomfortable with the risks associated with meeting in an office due to COVID-19 or other viruses, meeting outside is a supportive alternative. Ecotherapy is also uniquely relevant for those tending to grief, anxiety, and other feelings associated with climate change and ecological devastation. As a therapist, I use a non-judgemental and warm approach to help you gain self-awareness, connect with your self-compassion and self-determination, and listen to your own internal wisdom. Nature is our co-therapist, supporting you to connect more deeply with the life within and around you, helping you to understand your role in the ecosystem of our world.