Mindful Path Counseling
Self-esteem, life satisfaction, and body image have been impacted by the culture of social media and the expectations of perfection, busyness, and focusing on the future rather than being in the moment and simply enjoying life. We've come to expect we'll be successful, constantly productive, live in the perfect body, be in committed relationships, and generally have life figured out. That's a whole lot of pressure.
Therapy should help us accept ourselves AND provide coping skills for a happier, fulfilling life. I am an integrative person-centered skills-based therapist, seamlessly blending CBT, DBT and ACT to support my clients in living a more balanced, mindful life. I utilize mindfulness, guided meditation, work with my clients to build healthy coping skills, and integrate a variety of creative techniques that teach clients how to adapt to life’s challenges.
Specializing In
Anxiety
Have you ever had trouble focusing or felt "carried away" by worry? Anxiety can affect anyone and can interfere with your daily life and make it difficult to work, go to school, or enjoy your relationships. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including worry, nervousness, restlessness, and physical symptoms such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, and muscle tension. There are things you can do to help manage your anxiety on your own, such as joyful movement, relaxation techniques, and stress management. Therapy can help change the way you think, help you to shift your focus, and change negative self talk.
Third Wave Cognitive Therapy
I am a third wave cognitive therapist, which means I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on changing the way you think and behave. DBT focuses more on managing emotions and behaviors, and ACT addresses the struggle. Some of the techniques I use include: Mindfulness, the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Acceptance teaches people to accept their thoughts and feelings, and to focus on taking action towards the things that are important to them. Values help you to make decisions about your life, and they can help you to stay motivated. Commitment to making a decision and then following through with it.
Depression
Depression can steal your energy and change your relationships; symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include: Feeling sad or having a depressed mood; Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed; Changes in your appetite; Changes to your sleep; Loss of energy or increased fatigue; Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions; Restlessness or feeling slowed down; Feeling worthless or guilty; Thoughts of death or suicide. Therapy can help you understand your depression, develop effective coping mechanisms, and make healthy changes in your life. There are many things you can do to help manage your depression on your own, such as movement, regular sleep, fueling your body, avoiding drugs and alcohol, spending time with supportive people, doing things you enjoy, changing negative self talk, and using relaxation techniques.
Body Neutral Approach
Body neutrality is the idea of accepting your body as it is, without judgment. It is about focusing on the things your body can do, rather than how it looks or what size you wear. Taking a body neutral perspective can be a first step to improve your body image and self-esteem. I can help you focus on the things your body can do, rather than how it looks; I can help you identify the things your body is good at, such as running, playing sports, or dancing. Body neutrality is just a part of your journey, and it takes time to develop a healthy body image. With the help of therapy, you can learn to accept your body and love yourself for who you are. Here are some additional tips for practicing body neutrality: Be patient with yourself. It takes time to change the way you think about your body. Be kind to yourself. Don't beat yourself up if you have a negative thought about your body. Just acknowledge the thought and move on. Focus on the positive. Make a list of the things you like about your body. Challenge your negative thoughts. When you have a negative thought about your body, ask yourself if it's really true. Practice self-compassion. Forgive yourself for your mistakes and give yourself the same love and support you would give to a friend. Body Neutrality can help you move toward accepting your body as it is, without judgment. If you're struggling with negative thoughts about your body, therapy can help you learn to accept your body and love yourself for who you are.
Trauma
Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have long-lasting effects on a person's physical and mental health. It can be caused by a wide range of events, There is no right way to define trauma. What is traumatic for one person may not be traumatic for another. If you have experienced any event that has left you feeling distressed, overwhelmed, or unable to cope, it is helpful to find a therapist whom you trust. The goal of trauma therapy is to help people process the traumatic event and learn to cope with the emotional and psychological symptoms that can result from it. Trauma therapy can help people to: Understand the traumatic event and how it has affected them, Manage their emotions and thoughts about the traumatic event, Develop coping skills to deal with the symptoms of trauma, Improve their relationships and quality of life. There are many different types of trauma therapy, and the type that is right for you will depend on your individual needs and the type of trauma you have experienced. Some common types of trauma therapy include: Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a type of therapy that uses eye movements to help people process traumatic memories. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on changing the way you think and behave. Exposure therapy: Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing yourself to the things that you are afraid of or avoid.
KAP - Coming Soon
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic modality in which ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help eligible client experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. I take on the psychotherapy portion of the experience, while a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner supports you on all medical aspects. This includes determining eligibility, developing a custom treatment plan, prescribing the medicine and monitoring outcomes. Ketamine is a legal, safe and effective medicine used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety and PTSD. Ketamine has rapidly- acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects, which can begin to take effect within 1-2 hours after treatment. It works by blocking the brain’s NMDA receptors as well as by stimulating AMPA receptors, which are thought to help form new synaptic connections and boost neural circuits that regulate stress and mood. Ketamine has also been shown to enhance overall neuroplasticity for lasting symptom improvement. Ketamine can be administered in a variety of ways, including IV infusion, intramuscular injection, via nasal spray and using sublingual lozenges. Your prescriber will work to find the best option for you.