Therapeutic Style

I try to create a comfortable and safe environment because it’s difficult to talk about events that can trigger feelings of self-judgment, self-hatred, and shame. This means allowing the client to choose what he/she wishes to discuss, being compassionate, and using humor to minimize some of the tension.

Clients have told me they appreciate my honesty. I see my role as someone who can give you feedback that others in your life may find difficult to express. Clients are often looking for quicker relief. This is easier to achieve by giving more direct feedback in an understanding and healing way.

We often develop unhealthy patterns because it served us in the past. For example, the person who binge eats today may have started this pattern as a way of coping with sexual abuse or family conflicts in childhood. The original stressor may not be present today, but the person still operates with the same coping strategies. I find it important to explore why one may have engaged in certain behaviors. This allows the person to have more self-compassion. It is equally important to explain why certain recommendations are made for treatment. When a person understands the reason behind a suggestion, there is less resistance to making changes.

I am certified in Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Brainspotting (BSP).

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987 and has been widely researched and practiced internationally. It’s based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which believes our body and brain have healing properties. This is evident when we get a cut or a fever. Our body heals itself with a scab or breaks into a sweat to cool down our system. When we have upsetting or traumatic experiences, we hold that information in our body for many years until it is processed in a healthy way. Many people struggle to do this on their own.

EMDR can unlock unconscious memories and trigger the reparative process of the body. An experience that occurred years ago may be manifested by chronic anxiety, panic attacks, or codependency. EMDR helps people process the visual memory, emotions, thoughts, and physical symptoms associated with the trauma. Through the use of bilateral stimulation (BLS), we can mimic REM sleep, which is when our brain processes information and heals. BLS triggers our right and left brain through various methods. The most common method is eye movements, but tactile or auditory options are also used depending on the person’s preference. During the therapeutic process, we will discuss whether EMDR is appropriate for you.

For more literature on EMDR, you may find it on emdria.org or emdr.com.

Brainspotting (BSP)

Brainspotting was developed by David Grand, PhD in 2003 when he was doing a form of EMDR called Natural Flow. It involves the therapist being acutely attuned to the client while moving a finger back and forth in a fluid motion and having the client track the finger with his/her eyes. Using this method, he realized that his clients exhibited reflexes, became more activated, or less activated depending on where they looked. Brainspotting believes that where you look affects how you feel. Similar to EMDR, Brainspotting allows the client to explore deeper parts of the brain where trauma is stored. This type of processing typically is not achieved through traditional talk therapy. For clients who have not responded to EMDR in the past, Brainspotting has been shown to be more effective. Sometimes both EMDR and Brainspotting are used, depending on the issues and situations, to provide the highest level of healing. Most people prefer to use bilateral music to facilitate the process, although this isn’t required.

For more literature on BSP, you may find it on brainspotting.com.

KETAMINE ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY (KAP)

Ketamine received FDA approval in 1970 for anesthetic purposes and has been safely used for more than 50 years. Clients are evaluated by a physician who determines medical eligibility, safety, and dose. 

I have received clinical training and consultation in KAP through Polaris Insight. My practice provides a set and setting for individuals to self administer ketamine while entering a journey towards their intention. Each medicine session is followed by an integration appointment, which provides an opportunity to discuss their experience and understand what their ketamine journey might mean to them and their healing. Clients have shared that it has been effective with getting “unstuck” in their treatment and/or develop a deeper connection with themselves.

I am also partnering with Jesus “Zeus” Ramirez, MD in offering a KAP retreat for healthcare workers in Sonoma, CA. For more information about ketamine and the retreat, click here.

The DUOWAND (PATENT DEVICE)

Brainspotting has become such an integral part of my treatment with clients. It is typically used with a handheld wand. A therapist would hold it stationary during the processing period, which could last up to 45 minutes. This resulted in the therapist’s body feeling uncomfortable during the session and created distractions for the client’s processing. I developed the DuoWand, an ergonomic device, to address these issues. Since being on the market, it has benefitted both clinicians and clients in their journey to heal. I am proud to say that on 11/16/21, it was awarded a US patent (# 11,174,980 B1).