How can you really help me? Don’t therapists really just sit and listen and nod?
Lol no!!! I mean, yes, we all need someone to attentively and openly listen, accept and understand us without judgment. This can be very helpful and lays the groundwork for an effective therapeutic relationship. How could I possibly help someone without learning about who they are??
However there is a lot more. The reason I love doing trauma work is because we can actually make permanent changes. There are basically two levels to work on.
1) There is the surface level of every day functioning to address first—learning coping skills, reframing, improving basic ‘functioning’ to make life more manageable. Learning to set boundaries, improve sleep habits, set life goals….Important stuff right?
2) Then there is the deeper work of trauma healing, and this is where things get really exciting! As you are ready to, we go in and make deeper changes, healing from things that have hurt you that have gotten and kept you stuck in patterns of fear and shame. Learning about this and being able to help people heal things beyond what they ever imagined as possible has been perhaps the greatest gift life has given me so far.
I’m nervous about starting therapy. Is that normal?
Yep! It’s totally normal to be nervous about starting therapy. The fear around that can feel overwhelming. Getting the counseling we need can be challenging, especially if you have been through multiple tries without significant progress.
How do I know if you are the right therapist for me?
Well, I think there are probably many possibilities and most likely not one therapist is going to be THE ONE for you. Take your time to read through my website and see how you feel in your gut.
During a free consultation, you can ask me whatever questions you have that are specific to your needs. You’ll also be able to share what’s going on for you and I can share my ideas around how I can help you.
My approach is not one size fits all and no one therapist is going to work for everyone. What’s most important is that you find the right fit for you.
What if I don’t want to talk about something?
Part of healing is reclaiming your autonomy. Listen to what feels right for you! Don’t ever feel you have to share something when you are not ready to. You do want to at times go beyond your comfort zone to grow, but this is when YOU are ready. I will never pressure you to share more than what you are ready to. As we are getting to know each other, if there is something you are wanting to share about but not comfortable to share much yet, one thing people do sometimes is share very vague or broad information to start.
For example ‘I went through some abuse as a child’ as opposed to sharing any details. If and when you are ready, you can always share more. Also please know that there are ways of processing through and healing things which can be done without you EVER having to share a lot of details (explore Flash! https://flashtechnique.com/wp/)
What is an EMDR Intensive and is it right for me?
An EMDR Intensive is a concentrated block of trauma processing — ranging from two hours to a full day or weekend format — designed for those who want to make significant progress without the slow pace of weekly therapy. Intensives work well if you’ve done some prior therapy work and feel ready to go deeper, if you have limited time and want concentrated progress, or if weekly therapy has felt stuck. We begin with a preparation session, move through the intensive itself with breaks built in, and follow up afterward to integrate what came up. Not sure if an intensive is right for you? Reach out for a free consultation and we can talk it through.
What is ketamine-assisted EMDR and how does it work?
Ketamine-assisted EMDR combines prescribed ketamine with targeted EMDR trauma processing. Ketamine temporarily creates a more flexible and receptive brain state, making it possible to access and process deeply held traumatic material that may otherwise feel out of reach. I work with you throughout the ketamine experience, guiding the EMDR processing in real time. This is available via telehealth in California and New Mexico in both standard session and intensive formats.
Do I need a ketamine prescription before working with you?
No — I can help connect you with a prescriber if you don’t already have one. Ketamine is prescribed separately by a licensed medical provider and I provide the therapy component. We can discuss this during your free consultation and I can point you toward prescribers I work with if needed.
