I have been moving away from any one singular approach to therapy, such as CBT, or even Somatic Experiencing.  The growing opinion in clinical psychology is that no particular intervention is better than any other, and that the most important predictor of therapeutic success is the quality of the therapeutic relationship

I agree with that predictor.
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I have found that the best combo within therapy is relational, narrative and somatic. Relational in that the basis of a successful therapeutic experience is dependent on a healthy, skillful and genuine relationship between the client and the therapist. A good match results in good therapy. The therapist must be rooted in principles, boundaries and have a relatable skill set. Compassion and a genuine interest in the client must be the primary motive for the therapist. It is for me. And the client must feel a genuine connection with the therapist. Narrative in that through the client sharing of their story and experiences and practicing inquiry and attention they can heal and transform painful circumstances and negative habitual patterns. Narrative includes the stories and assumptions we tell ourselves, so those are also part of the inquiry. Somatic means the conversation and work is embodied. That the context always returns to and is understood through one's physical-emotional experiences. CBT can be a branch of all these, especially when it comes to inquiry practices. Again, all this relies on a genuine and authentic relationship between the client and therapist. A necessary vulnerability and receptivity to oneself and the other.

Counseling
I offer a transformative healing practice centered on the Zero Point Agreement where we live from the inside-out, from our side, from our physical and emotional experiences, meeting life and others half-way. We learn to create and integrate our inner wisdom-body with the outside world. These healing and counseling sessions are an hour and  involve narrative medicine, meditation, somatic experiencing, explorative conversation, breath work, and can include, integrative energy work. I specialize in cognitive-behavioral practices, narrative therapies, somatic experiencing, client-centered practices and sacred curiosity. 
Embodiment can be understood as living life informed through our senses; through the sensations and emotions of our body.  Before words and and cognitive understanding, we experienced the world through our body. Embodied practices use all that is available to us for understanding, healing and insight. Our physical and emotional body offers all the information we need to heal from trauma, to follow our truest path and to achieve lasting insight. We can tap into our pain stories, held within our bodies in ways that are safe, transformative and healing.

Embodied practices realign you with your truest path and self. Our body is our gateway to fulfillment of our intentions. I have spent many years in embodiment (somatic experiencing, yoga, intuitive development, breathwork) and mindfulness (Vipassanna, Lojong mind training, Rational Emotive therapy, CBT) and Breath training and practices, along with decades of Buddhist studies in philosophy and psychology.  Through this knowledge and experience I have come to integrate the the body and breath in psychotherapy sessions, in my practices in transformational circles and even with my writers.  I am deeply committed to practices that are integrative and easily used in our daily lives. Finally, I rely on our imaginative (intuitive) abilities to explore what is possible.  This integrative, intuitive and embodied practice these Integrative-embodied practices are called: Integrative Zero Point Healing.  We heal at our ZERO POINT, which is ourselves and that place of listening to our bodies and experiences; to our emotions and thoughts. 

This informed intelligence can heal us from the most difficult experiences while helping us access our truest dreams. 

I offer both in-person and remote counseling and mentoring. 
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My approach is to show up and be present with you. I borrow from a diversity of practices. I explore with each client in a transpersonal way, where you are viewed individually within the context of your larger life. This means, we do not isolate you out but discover what will help you through an understanding that comes from within the context of your day to day life and relationships. My background in cognitive-behavioral therapies, narrative counseling, thought transformation, systems theory, meditation, yoga, breathwork, personal ritual, somatic experiencing and Buddhist psychology lends to a meaningful and transformative experience. Various meditation and breath work practices may be used to integrate the theme of the given consultation. I am known for my intuitive and direct way of getting to the core of your desire for living more fully from the zero point. I understand myself more as a guide and consultant, like a navigator on a ship.  I am available for consultation and therapy in  Mount Horeb and over the phone or through ZOOM sessions.  Contact me for your initial free 20 minute phone consultation.   

Counseling sessions are for an hour on line or live. $125.00.  Please contact me to explore if I am the right therapist for you.

Spiritual Mentoring.  Therapy may not be what you are looking for. You may choose to have personal, one to one mentoring with me if you discover that a spiritual mentor would be helpful on your path at this time.  This mentorship is a monthly subscription of 6 months of 3 one to one 30 minute sessions and one (optional) class per month.  Contact me for more information and to see if this is what might be helpful to you at this time. We will use The Zero Point Agreement or The Clue of the Red Thread as guides on our journey together.

What do I mean by spiritual. Spiritual is asking and exploring the question: Who am I and in many ways, Where am I?  Embodied mentoring helps you listen to your inner wisdom through somatic experiencing, awareness practices and inquiry that leads you to your Truest Self and path.   The cost for this program is $145.00 a month (3 30 minute sessions & 1 optional circle/class).  ($45 per session). 

Contact me: HERE   

Other Possibilities 

Embodied Breath work: I have explored, practiced and trained in multiple breathwork practices that enhance insight, healing and transformation over the past 3 decades. These include: Holotrophic breathwork (Stanlas Grof), Vipassana breath and meditation (trained teacher), Pranayama (in November 2021 will be a certified yoga teacher), Toltec breathwork, and other researched practices. I have developed some techniques of my own borrowed from these wisdom teachings and practices. 

For more on the value of breath you might want to read BREATH by James Nestor. ​

Counseling Teens & Young Adults

My approach with teens & young adults is holistic in that I take a look at the teen in the context of his or her life. Together we find ways to deal with stress, anxiety, depression and other difficulties to reach a place where movement forward is possible. I use techniques that personally empower the young adult to make choices and take on practices that enhance their life. Together we focus on positive solutions and possibilities while not minimizing their experience. I have worked with teens and young adults for over three decades. Several of my books reach out to young adults offering them daily practices of personal and spiritual development.

Resources

 How to Mitigate Suffering & Increase Happiness. Article in the elephant journal.