Life Expectations

Life is not suppose to be this way! Does your expectation of what life is “suppose to be” and the reality of how things turned out bother you? Are you struggling with the idea that where you are not is not where you were hoping to be? Life has a way of surprising us sometimes. I love working with young adults who are in that period of transition between being a kid and the newness of being an “adult.” Or that college graduate who is wondering, “now what?” Or that mom who has always wanted to be a mom but now the daily responsibility of caring for a child are wearing her down. I’ve been there, you are not alone, and God has a purpose for this life you are living. Together we will use a variety of tools to help you find your place again. If you are okay with it, I often use the Bible to help guide you into a deeper understanding of who you are and the Love of God that will carry you through this. But I promise, I will not preach at you. I am just as flawed as anyone else, but by the grace of God, I am on the other side and I will help you get there too.

Anxiety and Depression

I have God so why do I feel this way?? Just because you have your faith that does not make you immune to life’s ups and downs. Anxiety and Depression are very real. It is not something you can just white knuckle your way through. And no one expects you to. Maybe the issue is further complicated because you are struggling with an eating disorder or have a family history of depression. Whether these feelings are due to circumstances that are out of your hands or there is something biochemical going on, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. I work collaboratively with medical professionals and other therapists to help you get to the bottom of why you are feeling this way. Then when we understand the why you and I will work together on the steps needed to take to get you to a place where you can experience joy again. Life does not have to be dictated by your fear. I promise you, there is hope.

Health Issues

Chronic illness, health challenges and all the emotions that come along with it can be exhausting. And sometimes you just need a place to vent, to cry and then come up with a game plan. As someone who has lived with cerebral palsy, I empathize with my clients who have face tremendous obstacles on a daily basis. I will pray with you, cry with you, and come along side you on this journey. In addition, I work in collaboration with a team of pain management professionals including medical doctors, neurologists, chiropractors, massage therapist and nutritionists. I am here to be your cheerleader and to work with you on a plan of action that will help you to achieve your goals in spite of the uphill battle you are in. I live it firsthand.

Trauma

Trauma is the response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event(s) that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, causes feelings of helplessness, diminishes their sense of self and their ability to feel the full range of emotions and experiences. We can provide education around the effects of trauma on the brain and help you develop new pathways for processing your experiences and moving towards healing.

Adoption

Adoption as a way to build a family can be a beautiful thing, but it is important to recognize that adoption begins with loss. We can help adoptees, adoptive parents, birth parents, and siblings navigate the complexities of adoption. We provide education and counseling regarding parenting strategies, challenging behavior, attachment, identity and racial development, and loss & grief.

Family Therapy

Marriage and parenting are a huge part of many of our lives. We can help you work through conflict and develop strategies for healthier communication and connection. We can provide you with parenting strategies that will promote regulation in your child and greater attachment in your relationships.

Birth Trauma

Giving birth can be a beautiful experience, however many women experience a trauma at some point during or after labor. The term birth trauma covers a wide variety of experiences including but not limited to injury to the woman or child; feeling unheard or a lack of consent throughout the process; abrupt changes in the birth plan or feeling unease when thinking about the birth. It can be difficult to work through these experiences when society tells us the birth of a child is supposed to be one the happiest days of our life. We work with women to heal and move toward acceptance about their experience. 

Postpartum Issues

Women sometimes have an idea of what kind of mother they will be, or how the months after birth will go. Many moms suffer quietly and later realize they were struggling with a postpartum disorder. Crying often, feeling angry, depressed, anxious, hopeless, having intrusive thoughts, withdrawing or difficulty bonding with your child may be signs that it is time to get support. If you are feeling shame or guilt about struggling, know this is common, as 1 in 5 women experience a perinatal mood disorder in the year after birth. We work with postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum OCD to restore a sense of hope and joy to the process of becoming a parent.

Drama Therapy

Drama Therapy is a sister to the other Creative Arts Therapies such as Art Therapy, Music Therapy and Dance/Movement Therapy. It is an experiential approach to therapy. You do not have to be an actor or perform to benefit from this type of modality! It’s an active approach that uses storytelling, play, metaphor, and intentional improvisation. Through these activities, clients rehearse the changes they want to see in their life, practice how to engage in relationship, and develop flexibility between life roles. Drama Therapy is useful for all ages and a wide range of issues.