Do you feel like you are struggling to “get it together” or feeling like you have to be perfect all the time? Life transitions and stress can bring up insecurities, anxiety and even depression. Sometimes it can feel like you are doing everything right but you still can’t seem to reach your goals. Everyone faces challenges, but when you feel like everything has to be perfect, these challenges can feel overwhelming. I don’t have to tell you, people in the LGBTQ+ community experience these challenges at a much higher rate then their peers. Whether it is fear of coming out, lack of support from those you care about or facing backlash from your community, it is important to work with a therapist who understands these challenges.

I am an EMDR trained therapist who believes in a holistic approach to counseling and mental health.
What does that?
Basically I don’t think sitting on a couch talking for 1 hour a week is going to fix all your problems. It is important to be able to address all the issues that contribute to the distress you are experiencing so not only will we talk about I also use techniques to help process the events, feelings and fears that you are experiencing (more on that in a moment). To begin with we will work together to increase techniques you can use to regulate emotions and tolerate distressing situations because, let’s face it, avoiding doesn’t solve the problem. We will also explore ways to take care of yourself including sleeping regularly, connecting with people, getting outside, finding some type of physical activity you enjoy and how you nurition your body with food and water. Obviously I’m not a doctor but it is important to understand how your basic needs impact your mental health.

(Back to the processing peice) I use EMDR as the primary method in most sessions. EMDR, although known primarily for trauma processing, can be used for most concerns in therapy. It allows you to identify and process stuck memories and emotions in a very different way than traditional talk therapy. It can also be beneficial in processing current triggers, emotions and other uncomfortable sensations that cause difficulty in your daily life. Combining EMDR with mindfulness and self-acceptance we will work together to help you move toward the life you envision.

I work with several populations including older teens and young adults struggling with life transitions, perfectionism, body image concerns, identity questioning and LGBTQ+. I also work with mothers who are working through their own childhood concerns with a desire to break trauma cycles as well as women who are coming out later in life and need support working through the challenges this might bring up.

I believe counseling should be a place of growth so if you are ready to explore those areas that are causing difficulty for you and work towards the life you really want, please feel free to contact me. I am happy to schedule a phone consultation to discuss your goals or you can email me and I can answer any questions you might have that way.