Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
As a licensed Marriage in Family Therapist I can legally provide therapy for residents of California. As a therapist I work from a relational and neurobiological framework where I talk a lot about the brain and the body. Trauma and it’s memory are stored in the body therefore when we work we work a lot with your body. I am trained int he Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) Phase 1 and I am currently in training for Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing. I am believe in attachment theory and this is the basis for my relational work. So I pull a lot of tools from these methods.
I can help you (or your child and family) by slowing you down and helping you feel safe in your body. We want to help create new associations and replace those trauma associations. I focus early on, on getting to know you as a person and getting to know your nervous system. During sessions I like pointing out patterns and helping you to connect the dots so you can start to make changes. We identify your triggers and signs that you are activated so we can then slow you down and engage your nervous system which is key for healing.
Again therapy is so individual, and everyone has a different result. But the key for all of my clients is for me to help them feel safe in their bodies which allows them to stay connected and thus have access to all parts of themselves and their feelings. This includes genuinely feeling joy, contentment happiness, anger, sadness, etc all without becoming overwhelmed and falling apart. You can experience the natural ebbs and flows of life which help us feel fulfilled.
I imagine that your life will be different because you will feel different. A lot of folks say they feel better, happier. Past clients have also stated that they have better relationships with others and can set boundaries better so they don’t feel as drained.
- No you will not have to be in therapy. I know this is big fear for many people but I want to be fully transparent with you. I don’t believe anyone has to be in therapy forever but treatment is so individualistic. You can start seeing changes relatively quickly, within several sessions even, and decide you don’t need to come every week (or terminate). It really depends on what your goals out and I always keep your goals at the forefront. We regularly cycle back to them so when you feel like you’ve met your goals it’s good to start talking termination. Also I want to add that therapy is different for everyone. Some folks continue weekly while others come once a month. It’s all about what works for you and it’s most important that you advocate for yourself and I will always support/encourage you to do so. It’s about your well being!