EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a trauma-focused therapy that helps the brain process distressing or overwhelming experiences that may continue to affect you in the present. EMDR can help reduce the emotional intensity of the distressing memories, the associated beliefs about ourselves and the world, and body sensations associated with the events.

EMDR is an 8 phase model which involves more than just eye movements. Therapy begins with gathering a client history, building safety, internal coping and grounding strategies, and identifying treatment goals. When we collaboratively determine processing is the next step, phases 3-8 are what we traditionally understand as “EMDR” where you will be engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, tapping, or alternating sounds while recalling aspects of a distressing event or experience.

Not necessarily. EMDR does not always require you to describe every detail of a traumatic experience, it is less of a talk therapy model and more of a free association while engaging in bilateral stimulation. We work collaboratively and at a pace that feels safe for you. Developing a sense of safety in the therapy space is an important part of the process.

No. While EMDR is well known as a treatment for PTSD and trauma, it may also be helpful for anxiety, panic, phobias, distressing memories, grief, and other experiences that continue to feel emotionally or physically distressing.

There is no set number of sessions required for EMDR. The length of therapy depends on your individual treatment goals, current circumstances, and how your nervous system responds to the work. Some people benefit from a relatively focused course of treatment, while others need longer-term support. We may also take breaks from EMDR processing and return during later sessions. It is individual and based on how you are responding to the pacing of EMDR processing.

Somatic therapy is a body-oriented approach that tends to the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and body sensations. Rather than focusing only on what is happening in your thoughts, we also take notice of responses within your body such as shifts in body posture, gaze, and tension. We will invite the use of somatic interventions in a safe and collaborative way.

Symptoms of trauma often show up within our bodies. Difficult or overwhelming experiences may impact the way we experience tension, restlessness, numbness, changes in breathing, or feeling disconnected within our bodies. Somatic therapy can help you develop greater awareness of these responses and learn ways to attend to these states, moving towards feeling more grounded and regulated.

As a therapist trained in Focusing-Oriented Therapy and approaches informed by Somatic Experiencing, I may invite you to slow down and focus intentionally on the sensations, emotions, movement, tension, or subtle shifts in your body. Sessions may include components of talk therapy to explore what you’re noticing and connect with elements of mindful awareness, gentle movement, breathwork, and other body-based practices such as combining tensing and relaxing the body, swaying, tapping and use of voice. We’ll move at a pace that feels manageable for you, with curiosity. You remain in control of the process at all times, and we’ll work together to build a greater sense of safety, connection, and trust within your body.

Absolutely, somatic therapy can provide a gentle way to begin developing awareness and a sense of safety within your body without forcing you to focus on sensations before you are ready.

Yes! We do not have to be in the same room to be able to explore methods of somatic grounding, breath awareness, movement and body awareness.

Expressive arts therapy uses creative and expressive activities as part of the therapeutic process. This can include drawing, painting, collage, clay, writing, movement, or other creative forms of expression. You do not need to consider yourself "artistic" to benefit from this approach.

Absolutely not. Expressive arts therapy is not about creating something beautiful or technically skilled. The focus is on exploration, self-expression, curiosity, and discovering what emerges through the creative process. I myself am not a skilled artist technically, but love to explore creative methods of expression.

There is no pressure or expectation to come to therapy with an idea. Part of my role therapeutically is to provide gentle prompts or invitations based on what you are experiencing in therapy. Sometimes the process itself can help you access thoughts, make connections regarding your feelings, or experiences that are difficult to put into words. There is also an aspect of therapeutic catharsis in putting experiences down on the page and viewing them externally from yourself.

Traumatic experiences can sometimes be difficult to express through words alone. Creative approaches offer an alternative way to explore emotions, memories, identity, and experiences while supporting a sense of choice and control.