I am pleased to once again be accepting new therapy clients!
Asheville, NC
EMDR and Somatic Psychotherapy in Asheville, NC
"May I have the courage today
To live the life that I would love,
To postpone my dream no longer
But do at last what I came here for
And waste my heart on fear no more."
- John O'Donohue
Therapy with Me
An axiom in my training is that, "The past is present, for better or worse." The imprints of past experiences, both positive and negative, have an enormous and often unconscious influence on our present-day experience—and our expectations of the future. That parent, friend or coach who helped you grow up is "in you." And those times you try not to think or talk about? They're "in you," too. My work focuses on helping you heal your relationship with the past and live into new possibilities.
It's natural to come into therapy simply wanting to feel better. Symptom relief and coping skills are very important, AND they are not the sole focus of therapy. Lasting change requires understanding the problems behind the symptoms, as well as the memories and learning that feed these problems. Delving a bit below the surface often results in a more functional and empowered life, and it also lays the groundwork for getting to the roots of what keep us stuck.
Survivors of trauma and difficult upbringings tend to carry a painful legacy of self-judgment. Developing curiosity about the ways you've unconsciously learned to survive and adapt to your history allows you to let go of shame and develop new, more flexible ways of living rooted in the present. The greatest assets we have in this process are the natural healing capacities of the mind and body and the trust we can build with one another.
I will lead you into new experiences, but never force you. I will offer information when I sense it will help, but I seldom give advice. I am likely to interrupt you in order to direct your attention, but I will first listen deeply. With help from my advanced training in trauma resolution therapies, I will help you learn where you are stuck, how you got stuck, and how you can get unstuck. And I will celebrate and savor your successes with you as you grow and change!
What My Clients Are Dealing With
While we sometimes recognize that we have painful memories we'd like to work through, it's more likely that problems and symptoms get our attention.
Common expressions of post-traumatic stress include:
- disruptions to a normal sleep rhythm
- physical symptoms like chronic pain, tension, and headaches
- swings between feeling overwhelmed by distress and feeling numb
- irritability, anxiety, and depression
- difficulty regulating our attention (feeling obsessed, scattered, or both)
- detachment from, or preoccupation with, our important relationships
Common symptoms connected to injuries from important relationships include:
- an intense sense of personal responsibility, or crumbling under the weight of responsibility
- trying to control things or people in ways that backfire
- avoiding people and situations that arouse discomfort
- chronically feeling unsatisfied by the love with our family, partner, or children
There are no simple answers for any of these challenges. I will work patiently to understand these problems with you, not interpret them for you. I have pursued years of advanced training because I am genuinely interested in discovering what shortens the darkness that affects each of us.
What to Expect from Therapy
Relief from suffering is a realistic and worthy goal for therapy. At its best, however, successful therapy is defined not only by the pain it takes away but by the possibilities it creates. I invite you to picture yourself, as a result of your courage and commitment to this process, with a grounded sense of safety, empowerment, worth, and a capacity to give and receive love. These are not too much to hope for: they are what we are created for!