Focus Areas
Therapeutic Focus Areas
You might be navigating the world with a brain that processes, senses, and relates differently and doing your best to hold everything together while quietly running on empty. Together, we can make space for your story, your nervous system, and the parts of you that are exhausted from doing it all.
Some of the therapeutic focus areas I support include:
ADHD and autism (diagnosed, late identified, self-identified or questioning neurodivergence)
Burnout, emotional exhaustion, chronic stress and shutdown
Relational and developmental trauma
Anxiety and chronic worry
Perfectionism and over functioning
Depression and low motivation
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
LGBTQ+ and Gender-Affirming Support
Life Transitions including loss and grief, divorce or a relationship change, or navigating a career change
Parenting Support
Emotional sensitivity and emotional regulation difficulties
Shame, self-criticism, and masking
Therapeutic Modalities I use
I believe no single approach works for everyone. That’s why I integrate modalities like IFS, somatic therapy, CFT, and mindfulness to offer a flexible, personalized path to healing one that meets you where you are.
What is Internal Family Systems?
A Transformative Approach to Healing Chronic Trauma
In response to overwhelming experiences, the mind often adapts by developing distinct “parts” each carrying specific emotions, memories, or beliefs shaped by what was needed to survive. IFS is a transformative tool that conceives of every human being as a system of protective and wounded inner parts led by a core Self. Self is in everyone. It can’t be damaged. It knows how to heal.
IFS is frequently used as an evidence-based psychotherapy, helping people heal by accessing and healing their protective and wounded inner parts. IFS creates inner and outer connectedness by helping people first access their Self and, from that core, come to understand and heal their parts.
Benefits of Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy
Effective relief from stress, anxiety, burnout, and trauma by addressing underlying parts
Increased self-awareness and emotional regulation
Strengths-based support for neurodivergent individuals, honoring unique emotional experiences
Improved relationships through clear boundaries and compassion
What Is Polyvagal Theory?
Gentle, effective support for your whole nervous system
Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, offers a powerful lens for understanding how our nervous system responds to stress, danger, and safety. It explains why we sometimes feel anxious, shut down, or connected and how these responses are not just mental, but deeply physiological.
According to the theory, our autonomic nervous system shifts between three primary states:
Mobilization (Fight or Flight): When we perceive danger, our body prepares to defend or escape. You may feel anxious, agitated, or on high alert.
Immobilization (Shutdown or Collapse): In situations where we feel overwhelmed or powerless, the nervous system may shut down. This can lead to numbness, disconnection, or a sense of “freezing.”
Social Engagement (Safety and Connection): When we feel safe, we’re calm, open, and able to connect with others. This state supports emotional regulation, communication, and healing.
In therapy, Polyvagal Theory helps us understand your responses not as dysfunctions, but as intelligent adaptations to past experiences. By working with the nervous system, and not against it, you can move toward greater regulation, resilience, and connection.
Benefits of Polyvagal-Informed Therapy
Better emotional regulation and stress relief
Increased awareness of your body’s responses
A greater sense of safety and calm
Reduced anxiety, depression, and trauma symptoms
Healthier, more connected relationships
Greater resilience and adaptability
Stronger mind-body connection and empowerment
What Is Somatic Psychology?
Somatic Psychology uses body awareness to deepen psychotherapy. By focusing on the connection between the nervous system, mind, and behavior, it complements traditional "talk therapy” to support deeper healing and lasting change.
Benefits of Somatic Psychology
Grounding: Connecting with your body and the present moment to calm your nervous system.
Mindfulness & Breath Work: Using mindful attention and controlled breathing to enhance body awareness and soothe emotional intensity.
Resource Building: Identifying people, places, and memories that help you feel safe and supported.
Emotional Regulation: Using body awareness to manage intense feelings and stay balanced.
What is Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB)
Unlock your potential by exploring the connection between your mind, brain, and relationships.
My approach is guided by interpersonal neurobiology (IPNB), developed by Dr. Daniel J. Siegel. IPNB examines how the brain, mind, and relationships shape who we are. Instead of just managing symptoms, we explore the deeper reasons behind your strengths and challenges, helping you understand your nervous system to transform how you experience and relate to the world.
Benefits of Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) Therapy
Greater understanding of how insecure attachment and relational trauma affect your brain, emotions, and relationships
Improved emotional regulation to better handle stress, triggers, and parenting challenges
Tools to heal attachment wounds and break cycles of trauma within families
Strengthened connection, communication, and trust in parenting and other close relationships
A science-backed, compassionate, and attuned approach that honors your unique experience
What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
“ACT invites us to hold our inner experiences with kindness and curiosity, creating space for meaningful action aligned with our deepest values.”
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based, values-oriented approach that helps you move through emotional pain with greater flexibility and self-compassion. Rather than fighting with your thoughts or feelings, ACT supports you in making space for them so you can reconnect with what really matters, even when life feels overwhelming.
Benefits of ACT
Navigating chronic stress and emotional overwhelm without getting stuck in avoidance or shutdown
Soothing the long-term impacts of relational trauma through gentler self-awareness and understanding your values
Easing burnout by building inner capacity to tolerate discomfort while still caring for your needs
Supporting unmasking by helping you stay connected to your authentic self in the face of internal and external pressure
What Is Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)?
Embrace yourself with kindness and care.
CFT helps individuals heal from shame and self-criticism by cultivating self-compassion and compassion for others. It promotes emotional balance, safety, and self-acceptance, while teaching mindful awareness of the mind-body connection.
Benefits of Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
Healing wounds from relational trauma by cultivating self-kindness
Reducing burnout through increased self-compassion and emotional regulation
Supporting neurodivergent individuals with compassionate, non-judgmental understanding
Quieting self-criticism and shame that often accompany trauma and burnout