Wellness through Connections

With over 15 years of experience in the mental health field, I have found that most struggles we experience in life can be stripped down to the quality of our bonds with others. I have worked with individuals, couples, and families and most of the problems that my clients seek help around involve their relationships. Feeling isolated and alone, distanced and a loss of connection, tension and strain, betrayal and pain, power imbalances and differences, values conflicts, communication struggles, misunderstandings, lack of intimacy, loss of respect, loose or rigid boundaries. All of these relational challenges, can lead to a sense of emptiness and hopelessness that slowly consumes our joy in life. While using research proven approaches, I help guide clients to a place of personal fulfillment in their relationships with others and a state of wellness. I consider myself a lifelong student and feel so honored to have learned so much about myself and the world through witnessing the change my clients have bravely forged towards. I really enjoy learning new approaches that can be helpful for different challenges my clients bring so that I can offer the best support possible. The Gottman Method I have completed Level 3 training with plans to continue to develop towards certification. This method focuses on the emotions the couple brings into a session and on dysfunctional negative interaction patterns (escalation or emotional disengagement) in order to make conflict discussions more functional, constructive, and regulated. It also focuses on emotional repair, and on building safety, trust, bonding, love, intimacy, friendship, and positive affect. Couples begin by completing an online assessment tool that scores a relationship's strengths and challenges and provides a blueprint for which interventions will be most effective in therapy. This approach was developed by world renowned John and Julie Gottman and is based off of Dr. John Gottman's research over 40 years of studying the characteristics of relationships and what makes them succeed or fail. Emotionally Focused Therapy I have completed the Externship training and Core Skills 1 and 2 with plans to also pursue certification in this model. EFT is based in attachment science. Experiential interventions are utilized to deepen and clarify emotions to establish and recreate supportive bonds between partners. Together we will identify the negative conflict cycle, or choreographed dance, that has created relational disconnection and restructure and organize interactions that promote healing and secure bonding. Couples Intensives and Wellness Retreats It can be challenging for some couples to commit to weekly sessions juggling busy schedules with work and childcare. Also, couples often seek out therapy when they are highly distressed and need to learn tools and sort through challenges quickly. For some couples, booking a weekend away from the daily grind can help them truly focus on their partnership and connect in a deeper way. We offer two formats that can assist couples with meeting these needs. Couples Intensives can be provided which include 2-3 days of intensive work, generally 5-6 hours daily. Wellness Retreats are another option for couples that would like to incorporate activities engaging in nature and restorative, holistic approaches in combination with individualized sessions for the couple and group experiences with other couples. These special therapeutic experiences are offered in the pristine mountain lake resort community, Bear Lake Reserve in Tuckasegee, NC. Please reach out to learn about upcoming opportunities. Collaborative Problem Solving I am a certified practitioner, coach, and trainer in CPS. This evidenced based approach developed at Massachusetts General Hospital is a big shift when it comes to understanding your child's challenging behavior and what to do about it. CPS is proven to reduce challenging behaviors, increase compliance, improve family relationships, and help your child build the skills they lack. Caregivers will learn how to partner with their child to identify the triggers for their behaviors and work together to produce a game plan for how to handle problems before they happen. This model can be provided through individual parent coaching or in a group format that includes 8 weeks of classes. I create a safe and affirming space for queer, trans, and gender non-conforming individuals and couples to seek support.