Bachelor of Science, Applied Developmental Psychology
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
Master of Arts, Professional Counseling, Clinical Mental Health
Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Welcome and thank you for your interest in Whole Body Psychotherapy! I specialize in working with adults and couples on many wide-ranging life issues. Whether you've been in counseling before, or are exploring this type of support for the first time, I hope you find this site helpful in deciding if my approach could be a good fit for your needs.
Counseling is a second career for me. I worked in the corporate world for many years before discovering my passion for serving others in a helping capacity. This self-discovery began when I volunteered my time helping disadvantaged people struggling with difficult circumstances, like homelessness and poverty, re-enter the workforce and begin to stabilize their lives. Their stories of struggles and hardships, along with their incredible strength and resilience, inspired me to want to do more. I attained my Masters in Professional Counseling at Texas State University, and after graduating continued to serve underprivileged populations in Williamson County as a Clinical Mental Health Case Manager for Bluebonnet Trails Community Services.
While working in community mental health, many of my clients struggled with often unexplained, chronic emotional challenges that impacted every aspect of their lives, especially relationships. The most common thread between them was a history of persistent traumatic experiences that occurred early in life and usually within the context of their family of origin. I became particularly interested in the evolution of this type of complex developmental trauma (trauma from childhood of an emotional and/or physical nature) and its impacts on present-day life. I found this type of trauma prevalent for so many people that I work with, and thus have made it the primary focus of my ongoing professional development, training, and specialization.
In private practice, I continue to build upon rich and diverse clinical training and experience to support clients with many difficult and varied life issues like chronic depression, anxiety, anger, extreme mood swings, poor concentration and focus, relationship issues, and other emotional and behavioral difficulties which often permeate into many areas of life. Regardless of the underlying issue, the goal is always the same: achieving the highest level of well-being possible to live one's best life!
I believe in a research-based, whole body approach to counseling which entails using both brain-based and body-based interventions in the therapeutic process. Brain-based techniques focus on thinking patterns (talk therapy) while body-based techniques focus on physical sensory information that is elicited in response to conditions inside and outside of us (experiential therapy). If you've been in counseling before and still struggle with unresolved issues, especially of a traumatic nature, or continue to experience distressing thoughts, emotions, memories, behaviors, or even unexplained physical symptoms, a more comprehensive and experiential approach like this may help.
The brain and body are connected through the autonomic nervous system and communicate through this information super highway. As such, thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and overall experiences are influenced by the delicate dance between the two. Working with the whole body helps to ensure cohesion with all parts of us and leads to more complete healing. My approach to counseling is structured and intentional, while still leaving room for the flexibility that is needed for the fluid nature of therapy. Counseling sessions incorporate talk therapy, body-centered techniques, and elements of nature and animal-assisted support (based on comfort level). Sessions are focused on goal achievement and forward movement in many areas of life through learning, growth, stabilization, and personal empowerment..