My Services
01.
APPROACH
My approach is both authentic and eclectic. I believe that one of the most powerful tools in therapy is the relationship between therapist and client, the relationship between you and I. Therefore, when I enter the room, I enter as myself trying to make an honest connection and establish a relationship built on relatability and trust. The space created in therapy sound be a comfortable one, one that facilitates compassion, support, and healthy challenge. This is the foundation for which everything in the room rests.
I am eclectic in my approach because no cookie-cutter approach will work for everyone. We are unique beings, and although there are universal struggles in life, what each of us needs varies from each other and sometimes from day to day. So I pull from various resources that I have, things I’ve learned along the way, and different modalities depending on where we are at in your treatment.
As a trauma therapist, I lean heavily on trauma-based therapy modalities such as Brainspotting and EMDR, but also borrow from CBT, DBT, Narrative, IFS (parts work), etc.
Some sessions you will find us jumping right into deep process, other session may lend itself to more talk therapy, and often I will sprinkle in tools for coping, communication, & life balance to name a few.
It’s important to note, that not every session will be there same. Regardless of modality, you set the tone and the pace for session.
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WHAT TO EXPECT IN YOUR FIRST SESSION
The first session is nerve-wracking for most. Maybe it’s your first time in therapy, or perhaps just establishing a new relationship can be anxiety provoking, or quite possibly the thought of telling your story drums up a plethora of emotion including sadness, fear, or dread. Either way, it is normal to feel this way and I do everything in my power to make you comfortable and ease any worries you may have.
The first session is generally about us getting to know each other. This is where we get a feel for fit. My goal in the first session is to learn your story, your concerns, possible goals you may have, and formulate thoughts on what approach might be good for you. Often clients share their story and what led them to my couch. In some instances, I will utilize assessments to further understand root issues or challenges you may be facing. It is rare that we will jump into utilizing trauma modalities such as EMDR or Brainspotting in the first session. However, if you are in crisis, we will most likely jump right into crisis management.
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GETTING STARTED
To get started, simply call, text or Email. We will set up you free 15-minute phone consultation where we can schedule your first session. I will then email you an intake packet which includes the consent form needed to begin treatment. I ask that this paperwork be completed before your arrival to your first session so we can utilize session time to jump right into your needs and/or other assessments that will be beneficial to your treatment.
If you’re unable to print or fill and email previous to your session, please let me know and I will have one waiting for you in office before your session start time. If you need assistance or prefer to complete together in session, I am happy to accommodate that.
02.
WHAT IS TRAUMA
Trauma is anything that happens to us or is witnessed by us that creates a prolonged stress response. Trauma is not the event itself, but the distress it causes within us, both psychologically and physiologically. This impact is not only felt internally but can be seen externally in how we show up in the world as a result. Trauma can be simple in nature, meaning a one-time event such as a car accident or trauma can be complex in which we experience multiple traumatic events over a lengthy period of time, such as childhood neglect or abuse. We ALL have trauma, in some form of varying degree. To be human is traumatic.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is what I call an umbrella term; In that it’s symptoms can often times be their own diagnoses, such as, Anxiety, Depression, Dissociation, Attachment Issues/Personality Disorders, Substance Abuse, etc. That is why, although I am a trauma therapist, I treat a multitude of issues such as:
ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, Anger Management, Behavioral Addictions, Chemical Abuse/Dependency, Codependency, Depression, Domestic Abuse/Violence, Family Conflict, Life Skills, Loss/Grief, Mood Disorders, OCD, Relational Issues, Self-Esteem, Self-harm, Spirituality Issues, Stress, Suicidal Ideation, & More
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TRAUMA MODALITIES
The two trauma modalities I use are EMDR and Brainspotting.
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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) is a therapeutic approach that uses eye movements to interrupt distressing and unwanted aspects of trauma in our memory networks. These distressing or unwanted aspects can be the memory itself, the negative beliefs this trauma caused us to develop, and/or the body sensations we felt either in that moment or as we recall the trauma. EMDR allows us to process the memories through our neural network and add new information that diminishes the distress.
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Brainspotting is very similar to EMDR in that we used bilateral stimulation with specific music and a fixated eye position to access the emotional center of our brain and move trauma through that has been stuck in our neural memory networks. Brainspotting is a gentle approach that allows for deep healing on a neurophysiological level. Brainspotting's aim is also to release distressing memories, thoughts/beliefs, and body sensations.
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The purpose of both EMDR and Brainspotting is to end up at the same destination. In a place of total healing of emotional and physiological pain. The Difference between EMDR and Brainspotting is the type of vehicle you take to get to that destination. The vehicle we take is something that I will make recommendations around with your input.
HOW LONG DOES TRAUMA THERAPY LAST
The answer to this question varies. The trauma modalities that I use are noted from healing trauma more quickly than talk therapy but in this process there are many factors to consider such as your goals, the type of trauma we are working on, and the pace that you set.
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In cases where we are targeting a single event trauma often times client's find relief in about 8 sessions.
In cases where we are targeting more complex life long trauma client's may find themselves in treatment for 12+ sessions. In some instances, clients find that coming to session weekly or bi-weekly is a helpful form of maintenance that they incorporate into their self-care or lifestyle.
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HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE SESSION
Sessions are generally scheduled weekly until stabilization and/or certain goals are met, However In some instances bi-weekly sessions may be a better fit depending on circumstance. Regular sessions, especially within the initial treatment phase, are correlated with greater outcomes. Client's often report the need for weekly sessions to help them contain and process through things as we start to move through their trauma work. I am happy to discuss this with you and help you assess appropriate frequency of scheduled sessions.
03.
WHAT IS IRLEN® SYNDROME
Irlen® syndrome is a perceptual processing disorder in which the brain is overly sensitive to certain colors of light. Light impairs the brain’s ability to take in and make sense of the visual image it is receiving. This can cause a multitude of symptoms and discomfort, both physiological and psychological, for the person struggling with Irlen®Syndrome. These symptoms vary in severity and are triggered environmentally.
Irlen® syndrome is highly correlated with (and even misdiagnosed 33% of the time) with ADD/ADHD and dyslexia. Irlen® Syndrome has a genetic component to it and has a co-occurrence with diagnoses including but not limited too Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Concussion/Whip lash, Headaches/Migraines, Medical Visual Condition such as Astigmatism, Learning Disabilities, Behavioral Problems, Giftedness, Autism, Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Auto Immune, M.S., Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, and more.
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TREATMENT
Treatment for Irlen® syndrome is predicated on severity. For mild severity, slight environmental accommodations can be made. For moderate Irlen® Symptoms, treatment is achieved with color overlays that are customized to your unique needs. For severe symptoms, you will be recommended to use spectral filters (colored lenses) that are also designed specific for you.
Benefits of treatment may include improvements in the following areas:
Spelling, Handwritings, Math, Music, Driving, Listening, Language/Essay Writing, Reading, Sports performance, Computer Use, Attention & Concentration, Headaches & Migraines, Light Sensitivity, Depth Perceptions, Overall Brain Health/Functions, and Mood/Mental Health.
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SCREENING
The first step to treatment is getting screened. I am a trained screener that can utilize the color overlays for treatment. Screening happens in office and consists of history taking, reading question assessment, and a series of visual tasks. Screening time takes approximately 2 hours, give or take depending on the client’s severity and comfort, as this will set the pace for the screening. If the screening cannot be completed in the 2 hour time frame a follow up appointment will be scheduled at no additional cost.
At the end of the screening the client will receive their color overlays the same day as well as recommendations for accommodations that the client may need in school/workplace. If the client is found to have severe Irlen® Syndrome and spectral filters are recommended, the client will be referred to a diagnostician for the second step in treatment.
I do screenings for children as young as 7 years old. For children and preteens, parental presence is required to help aid in history taking and assessment. Older teens, ages 14 and up do not need to be accompanied by an adult, but it may be helpful in the process.
If you are ready to be screened, please call, text, or email to schedule a time.
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FEE
Fee for screening is $165, plus $5 per color overlay.
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For additional family members within the household, I offer a $20 discount.
PRE-SCREENING
Pre-screening is a self-test that can be taken to get a general idea of probability for Irlen® syndrome before investing in the actual screening.
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For a pre-screening questionnaire please call, text, or email and I will send it over. Or you can find the self-test online at www.irlen.com​​