Individual

S.A.F.E. EMDR

January 2021 is my certification completion for the S.A.F.E. model of EMDR, one of the most effective lenses of trauma therapy I continue to experience. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy proves highly effective for traumatized clients (which I strongly believe includes everyone) in a wide number of case reports and controlled research. EMDR states that trauma stores ineffectively in the brain and body, which prevents individuals from fully living in a present, healthy manner. This ineffective storage of trauma makes memories feel current when triggers (stimuli) bring the survivor back to trauma state. The brain and body do not know the difference between similar and same, therefore re-enacting our traumas over and over, inhibiting daily quality of life. That which once saved us in an incredibly creative way now prevents us from fully living.

BLS (Bilateral Stimulation) is a way a therapist guides and accesses traumatic memories, in order to disrupt and reprocess in a healthier way, embodying healing and awareness in the present moment. This includes eye movement, theratapper vibrations or audio, alternating from one side of the body to the other.

Deborah Kennard developed the S.A.F.E. model of EMDR to provide a safe and efficient way to reprocess trauma, emphasizing nonviolence and mindfulness using a somatic and attachment-based model. The S.A.F.E. model looks at how the client chose to stay safe and connected to caregivers, called “The Answer.” The somatic piece includes body-based resources to keep clients engaged and emotionally regulated.

Couples

Member, ICEEFT

My husband Rob and I completed an EFT Hold Me Tight workshop at Esalen in July 2018, based on Dr. Sue Johnson’s work with adult attachment and couples therapy. Dr. Johnson teaches safe emotional connection, and how original attachment affects this. Emotionally Focused Couples and Family Therapy has proven effective in peer-reviewed clinical research for over 30 years. We found learning and enacting the principles of EFT in a single weekend more effective than any previous couples counseling or workshop experienced.

We followed up with an EFT externship in December of 2018 with Dr. Sam Jinich and Drs. Nancy and Paul Aikin, in order to be trained to work with couples using EFT principles. We are excited to share the work created by Dr Sue Johnson to explore adult attachment and how this plays out in relationships. Rob and I feel working as a couple with couples provides a distinctive and whole perspective. We strive to embody EFT in our own relationship of 27 years and continue to learn by growing every year.

Rob has his own private Shamanic practice as well as serving as the Shaman in Residence at The Post Ranch Inn located in Big Sur. You can learn more about Rob at Big Sur Shaman.

Rob’s Shamanic tradition provides an additional depth to couples work using the principle of Yanantin/Masintin: Opposing forces of complementary nature (day/night, dark/light, male/female, above and below), which are interdependent and essential parts of a harmonious whole. Shamanically, male/female is best described by energy, not gender. Balancing the two energies is the ultimate goal.

Children

I encourage children to teach me what resources are best for them and believe they have everything within them to heal themselves.

Some possibilities to work with kiddos include and are not limited to play therapy, sandtray, art therapy, writing, yoga and S.A.F.E. (Somatic and Attachment Focused EMDR) model of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

Parental involvement is strongly encouraged and essential to healing children out of session. With children clients, I practice confidentiality and I ask parents to respect this. Exceptions include child abuse, elder abuse, serious harm to self or others, which I am required by law to report.

Other trainings

I have also been trained in the following, but not limited to:

• HIV & AIDS (Treatment Issues)
• IFS (Treatment of Trauma and the Internal Family Systems Model)
• Suicidality
• ACE Study (Adverse Childhood Experiences)
• Eating Disorders
• Solution Focused Brief Therapy
• Childhood Sexual Abuse
• Play Therapy
• PTSD
• Depression, Anxiety and Addictions from a New Perspective
• Trauma-Based CBT
• Trauma Informed Yoga
• Trauma Informed Therapy
• EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy)
• Narrative Therapy
• Brain Health and well-Being