My Therapeutic Approach

Relational, Somatic & Mindfulness

Healing is not just about understanding what’s wrong—it’s about reconnecting with what’s already whole within you. My integrative approach blends Relational Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, mindfulness-based techniques to support deep, lasting change. I work with the mind, body, and nervous system together, always within the context of a safe, collaborative relationship.

Relational Therapy: Healing Through Connection

I believe that relationships shape us—and that healing happens in relationship, too. Relational therapy centers on the idea that our early and ongoing relationships shape how we feel about ourselves, how we connect, and how we cope. This collaborative relationship becomes a space where old patterns are gently explored and transformed—often in real time—within the therapeutic bond. In therapy, we focus on building a genuine, supportive connection where patterns can be explored, understood, and gently shifted. 

Many of our challenges stem from relational wounds—experiences where we felt unseen, unsafe, or misunderstood. Through the therapeutic relationship, we aim to offer a different kind of experience: one marked by empathy, consistency, boundaries, and emotional presence. Together, we can explore:

• How past relationships influence your current struggles

• How you relate to others—and yourself—under stress

• Patterns of connection, avoidance, or self-protection

Through this process, many clients experience a renewed sense of self-worth, deeper emotional resilience, and greater capacity for meaningful relationships.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Listening to the Body

Our bodies carry unresolved trauma, stress, and protective patterns—often without our conscious awareness. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a gentle, body-centered approach that helps you tune into your physical experience as a gateway to emotional healing.

For clients living with anxiety, this can be especially powerful. Anxiety often shows up not just as racing thoughts, but as tight shoulders, shallow breathing, restlessness, a clenched jaw, or a constant sense of being on edge. These physical symptoms are more than just byproducts—they’re part of how the nervous system tries to stay safe.

Sensorimotor techniques help you:

• Notice how anxiety lives in your body

• Identify and interrupt the physical signals of chronic stress

• Work with the nervous system, rather than against it

• Develop grounding and regulation strategies that are body-based, not just cognitive

• Reconnect with a felt sense of safety, stability, and agency

As Pat Ogden, PhD, founder of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, explains:

“The body always leads us home… if we can simply learn to trust sensation and stay with it long enough for it to reveal the path.”

We don’t push your body to “relax.” Instead, we cultivate curiosity and compassion toward your physical responses, recognizing them as protective and intelligent. Over time, this approach helps reduce overwhelm and creates space for calm, clarity, and confidence to emerge—naturally and sustainably.

Mindfulness Techniques: Coming Back to the Present

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment—without judgment. In our work together, mindfulness becomes a powerful tool for increasing awareness, emotional regulation, and nervous system balance. Whether through guided breathing, somatic tracking, or grounding practices, mindfulness helps you:

• Slow down reactive patterns

• Increase tolerance for difficult emotions and sensations

• Notice internal experiences with greater clarity and compassion

• Build the capacity to respond rather than react

An Integrated Path to Healing

By weaving together relational connection, body awareness, and mindful presence, we create a therapy experience that is trauma-informed, compassionate, and deeply attuned to your whole self. I draw from evidence-based approaches while honoring your unique pace and needs. Together, we’ll gently explore how your past is showing up in the present—and help you build new patterns of safety, connection, and choice. 

Believing in the body/mind/soul’s innate wisdom to heal itself, I work hard to provide a space that is non-judgmental and accepting, trusting that empathy is the real antidote to shame.