I have a few favorite spiels that have come from on-the-spot attempts to explain complex concepts in simple and non-shaming ways using humor and metaphors. “Floaties on the Bus” is my favorite to help my clients understand their unique …
How to Stay Kind During COVID-19 Please check your judgement. This is a very vulnerable time. Before you judge someone, act out and/or make accusations, know that judgmental attitudes and thoughts come from avoiding your own vulnerability. Before you …
I am not a “smoke and mirrors” therapist. I like to understand and help my client understand what is happening in their brain, bodies, and relationships both psychologically and physiologically. We start with simplified versions of the nervous system anatomy …
Your Nervous System- Trauma, Anxiety, and Relationships Read more »
Meditation and mindfulness do not come easy to everyone. Unfortunately, those who need it the most are frequently the very people who struggle with it the most. Our symptoms, bodily pains, and mental chatter become such a distraction that we …
I am frequently asked about how clients may use the benefits of Somatic Experiencing trauma therapy in their everyday lives. These may be to provide comfort or healing in between therapy sessions or as part of a self help efforts. …
8 Self Help Tips from Somatic Experiencing Trauma Therapy Read more »
This week I had the honor of receiving the new title of Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and can finally put 3 more letters behind my name, SEP. While other trauma informed psychotherapists know what this means, I realize that most of the general …
SEP? What is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner? Trauma Treatment Read more »
The brain takes care of so many important tasks, it stays quite busy whether we pay attention or not. Considering how busy it is and how fast it processes a constant stream of data, it is only natural that sometimes …
“It’s just the Toaster.” Your Brain’s False Alarms Read more »
The Role of Trauma in Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors Here is what I see over and over again in my counseling practice. Someone comes in for their skin picking or hair pulling problem (trichotillomania), collectively known as Body Focused Repetitive …
Here is an excellent video that explains how the brain and nervous system get involved, and in the way, during interpersonal situations. Our brain’s perception of our safety is not always logical and reasonable. Everyday situations can wake up the …
When I talk about trauma in therapy, I am referring to how the nervous system responds as opposed to a specific event that occurred. Trauma impacts people when they perceive they or a loved one is in danger. Danger may …