It is estimated that every 68 seconds someone in the United States is sexually assaulted*. Sexual violence does not discriminate and affects people across socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, and race. Often these experiences go unreported and people suffer privately for years. Acknowledging, processing, and moving forward from sexual abuse and assault experiences can feel scary, but I have witnessed time and time again that it is possible. I am here to walk alongside people who have experienced sexual violence, providing a gentle, validating, and nonjudgmental space to process and heal. I have experience working with survivors of sexual violence across the lifespan, utilizing effective trauma treatments including EMDR, play therapy, trauma-informed yoga, TF-CBT, ACT, mindfulness and self-compassion techniques, and somatic interventions.

*Victims of sexual violence: Statistics. RAINN. (n.d.). https://www.rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-violence

When we think about trauma, we often envision a singular experience, perhaps involving war, natural disaster, or an accident. Trauma also encompasses any experience that the individual experienced as too much, too fast, or too soon for their nervous system to handle. It is less about the event itself, and more about the imprint the experience leaves on the body*. Complex Trauma includes ongoing experiences, often during childhood, of fear or hopelessness without effective ways to escape and cope. You might wonder why you feel constantly on guard, unable to relax, or have difficulty controlling your emotional expression. Or perhaps you often feel detached and shut-down, disconnected from your body. Your relationships might be suffering, and you may feel deep shame and a low sense of self-worth. However it is manifesting, your experience is real, and it is possible to move through this pain and into greater presence, safety, and ease. I strongly believe healing from trauma happens in the presence of a compassionate witness, and it is my honor to support humans healing from trauma on their journey.

*This definition of trauma comes from Somatic Experiencing®

Being a human in this day and age is hard! It is often difficult to make ends meet, cultivate meaningful relationships, and cope with a barrage of scary world events. Not to mention living in a culture that constantly communicates we are not enough and need to compare, fix, and change ourselves. Often we carry an inner critic with us from a very young age, and it can be hard to separate our truest self from this harsh voice. This is a common human experience, and I would love to support you to cultivate a relationship with yourself that is kinder, gentler, and more empowered.

Whether you are just starting your college experience, pursuing a graduate degree, or figuring things out in your 20s, young adulthood is a challenging phase. There are some things years of schooling just don’t prepare us for. Maybe you feel overwhelmed by finding your purpose, managing finances, negotiating relationships, or just trying to get by in a chronically stressed society. Or perhaps you are grappling with realizations about your upbringing and past trauma. Whatever the case, I have extensive experience working with young adults in phases of transition. You do not have to sift through all of this alone and I would love to support you as you process past hurts, recognize your strengths and values, prioritize what matters most, and build the life you want.

I believe in integrating the whole body into therapy, rather than solely focusing on the mind. Bottom-up and top-down approaches to therapy are meaningful, but I have learned that we cannot just talk our way through trauma, anxiety, and shame. We have to feel in order to heal. My professional and personal studies have led me to find deep value in breathwork, yoga, expressive arts, mindfulness, and self-compassion practices. I am also currently a Beginning student in the Somatic Experiencing® Professional Training Program. I love including techniques that cultivate the mind-body connection during therapy sessions, and as tools clients can implement in their daily lives.

Spending a therapy session outdoors can boost the mood, allow stuck emotions to be processed through the body, and elicit new insight and creative thinking. I am grateful to live in San Diego and have access to beautiful trails and the Pacific coast. Outdoor sessions may involve gentle movement and walking, creative experiences focused on self-awareness, mindfully connecting with the wonder of the natural world, and finding inspiration for walking towards your most vibrant life.