A Path to Deeper Understanding and Lasting Change

Living can be breathtaking.  That beautiful synchronous moment where we are open and anything seems possible. That jubilant experience of having achieved something new and grand. The simple experience of deep love and connection in the form of a quiet embrace, a compassionate word or a long night of fun.

Of course, life is also a source of immense pain and struggle, often filled with anxiety, fear, self-doubt, and unexpected storms. Whether you’re facing a specific challenge, a period of crisis, or a chronic issue, our individual therapy is designed to meet you exactly where you are. We work collaboratively to help you:

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• Process Painful Experiences: Untangle suppressed thoughts, feelings, and past traumas that may be holding you back, including interpersonal and systemic wounds.
• Navigate Overwhelm: Develop mindful strategies to manage stress and build resilience against life’s demands.
• Engage All Emotions: Come into healthy, compassionate contact with all your emotions, including the more difficult ones like sadness and anger. Learn to channel them into effective action that responds to underlying issues rather than superficial urges or avoidance.
• Cultivate Self-Awareness: Deepen your understanding of your values, motivations, and patterns, leading to greater clarity and authenticity.
• Strengthen Relationships: Learn to communicate more effectively and build more authentic, fulfilling connections with yourself and others.
• Embrace Your Authentic Self: Discover your unique strengths and potential, fostering  purpose and joy amidst the beautiful mess of life.
• Experience Fulfillment and Purpose: Discover deeper meaning in your experiences and align your actions with what truly matters to you.
• Contribute to a Better World: Find ways to channel your healing and growth into positive contributions for a more vibrant, safe, and fulfilling world for others.

 

Understanding Specific Expressions of Pain

We specialize in helping clients navigate the complex landscapes of anxieties, addictions, and depression, recognizing them as interconnected expressions of those core human needs, longings, and processes that have become caught up and entangled.

Anxiety

Anxiety is the emotional and physical impulse your body and mind instinctually create to warn you against danger and to motivate action that protects you from threats, real or imagined. While it serves a vital purpose, anxiety can become a constant, overwhelming presence, manifesting as generalized worry, panic attacks, social phobia, or specific fears. It can trap you in cycles of avoidance, limiting your life and keeping you from fully engaging with your values.

We help you listen to your body’s signals without letting them dictate your actions, learn to practice compassionate acceptance of these troubling thoughts and sensations, and make strategic, mindful decisions that meet your underlying needs and align with your values – gradually reclaiming your ability to live more fully. We work not to eliminate anxiety, but to transform your relationship with it, enabling you to move towards what truly matters.

Addictions & Compulsions

Addictions and compulsions, whether related to substances, behaviors, or even thought patterns, often emerge as attempts to control pain, escape discomfort, or find fleeting moments of relief or pleasure. And, that makes so much sense.  Pain… well, it hurts. And, over time we slip into a series of short-term benefit decisions that erode our sense of self and our ability to live well.  These powerful “feel-good” strategies can become deeply entrenched, creating cycles that ultimately reinforce shame, isolation, and a sense of powerlessness. Your body and mind might have initially “helped” you cope using these behaviors, but they can quickly become a trap.

We explore the underlying needs and vulnerabilities that fuel these patterns, helping you develop supportive environments, build healthier coping mechanisms, and cultivate self-compassion.  We’ll also unravel the web of trauma – experienced or caused – that often fuels these patterns and work towards making amends with others and yourself and paving the way for sustainable freedom and a life aligned with your values.

Depression

Depression can feel like a heavy cloak, muting joy, draining energy, and distorting your perception of self and the world. It often arises from a complex interplay of genetic predispositions, life circumstances, and those “core processes gone awry” – perhaps chronic stress, unresolved grief, feelings of inadequacy, or a pervasive sense of disconnection. When life feels hopeless and we don’t see a way to change the sources of our pain, depression makes sense.  It leads us to stop trying things we “know” won’t succeed so at least we don’t have to feel failure or rejection again.

We work with you to understand the unique landscape of your depression, gently exploring its roots and manifestations. Through a blend of compassionate inquiry and practical strategies, we help you reconnect with your vitality, rediscover meaning, and build resilience, honoring your journey and cultivating a path towards renewed hope and engagement.

Our Integrated and Liberative Approach

Our work is rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which provides a versatile framework to build a mindful, meaningful, and resilient life by accepting what cannot be changed and committing to actions aligned with your deepest values. We believe that pain is an inevitable part of the human experience, but healing and growth are always possible.

Beyond ACT, we integrate a variety of evidence-based and holistic modalities tailored to your unique needs and goals, including:

• Exposure Therapy: To gently confront fears and anxieties.
• Experiential Therapy: Engaging in active, creative techniques to connect with our bodies and environment and unlock deeper processing.
• Nonviolent Communication: Enhancing compassionate and effective dialogue with ourselves and others.
• Somatic Therapy: Connecting with the body through mindfulness, breathwork, and gentle practices such as yoga to release trauma and emotional blocks and practice self-love

We are strongly neurodiversity-affirming and committed to a liberative approach to therapy. This means we are not here to demand conformity to social structures, norms, and expectations that are invalidating, disempowering, or exploitative. Instead, we work collaboratively with those who are ADHD or Autistic or any other unique, beautiful ways of being to develop structures, environments, and relationships that better align with their unique needs and personalities.  We prioritize creating a safe and inclusive space where all identities are affirmed, and we strive to empower you to live authentically and build a life that truly honors who you are.

Who We Work With

We welcome individuals aged 14 and older, from diverse backgrounds, challenges, values, and goals. We particularly enjoy accompanying those navigating:

• Anxieties and stress
• Shame and self-criticism
• Substance and behavioral addictions
• Trauma and PTSD
• Life transitions and personal growth
• Spirituality and existential inquiries

 

What to Expect

In our sessions, you can expect a warm, confidential, and judgment-free environment where you are truly seen and heard. We will seek your input and feedback throughout the process to ensure it is meeting your needs and aligned with your goals. We’re committed to deep listening, compassionate presence, and creative, thoughtful support throughout your journey. We are justice-centered and affirm all identities, including queer and neurodivergent individuals, prioritizing a safe and inclusive space for everyone.

Ready to Begin?

Reaching out for support can be a difficult step. We invite you to take your next step towards a more vibrant life and a better world by scheduling a free consultation call where you can share what you’re looking for and we’ll answer any questions you have before scheduling an intake session.