Overall, my diverse training, which is described in more detail below, and personal experiences inform my practice, allowing me to provide a tailored therapeutic experience that meets the unique needs of each client or couple. Instead of a one-size-fits-all therapy approach, I have been trained in numerous, cutting-edge therapy strategies that allow me to tailor a treatment plan to address individual situations. My style is very direct, honest, yet compassionate and I enjoy witnessing clients experience positive transformation in their lives.  I am committed to helping individuals and couples navigate their challenges, uncover their strengths, and ultimately achieve a more fulfilling and authentic life.

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Early in my career as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I realized I was not properly equipped to work with the complex systems of couples. Shortly thereafter, I found Terry Real, a well-known couples therapist out of Boston. His style consisted of being very direct, yet kind and it really spoke to me, so I completed over 100 hours of training with him. He referred to Pia Mellody as one of his early mentors in his own therapeutic development, so I sought her out to train with her as well. Her model of what she defined as developmental immaturity was fascinating to me. The earlier definition of childhood trauma was if something obviously terrible happened to you. Pia felt that definition didn’t address the issues we all faced as children and had no mental capacity to resolve so hers is quite broad and includes “anything less than nurturing”. This means we all have childhood trauma to some extent. Learning about my own history of trauma was transformative for me and changed my life. It affected each of my relationships for the better, including the most important one, the one in which I have with myself.

Since my full licensure in October of 2000, I have worked with a variety of mental health challenges with numerous clients. These issues include, but are not limited to, depression, anxiety (with or without panic attacks or phobias), addiction, grief and loss, workplace stressors, conflict resolution, intimacy and relationship issues, parenting support, and general stress management.

 

One area of great interest and experience of mine has been in working with couples struggling with infidelity. Infidelity is a deeply painful and often transformative experience for couples. It brings a complex mix of emotions, including betrayal, anger, sadness and confusion. This discomfort can serve as a catalyst for change, but navigating it requires sensitivity and skill.

 

Terry Real and Relational Life Therapy (RLT):

Through this model, individuals are encouraged to challenge societal norms and expectations, and to explore their own beliefs and values about relationships. By doing so, they can develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others, leading to more authentic and fulfilling connections.

RLT believes that all relationships experience cycles of harmony, disharmony, and repair. When couples are not aware of how to properly repair the damage associated with disharmony, relationship issues can escalate and lead to further difficulties. Applying this model, I can help couples identify and understand the underlying causes of disharmony in their relationship, help teach accountability, as well as how to repair. How equipped clients are to handle these issues will define how successful, deep, intimate and rich their relationships can be.

 

Pia Mellody’s Post Induction Therapy (PIT):

Post Induction Therapy, or the model of developmental immaturity was developed by Pia Mellody in the 1970s. It focuses on the idea that individuals who experienced trauma (which is described as anything less than nurturing) or neglect in their childhood have not fully developed emotionally and psychologically. This lack of development leads to codependent behaviors and an inability to form healthy relationships with self or others. The model emphasizes the importance of addressing these underlying issues to break free from destructive patterns and achieve emotional healing and growth.

Through this model, individuals are encouraged to explore their past experiences and relationships to identify and understand how these have influenced their current behaviors and beliefs. By gaining insight into the root causes of what Pia calls their codependency, individuals can begin to heal and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Overall, PIT provides a framework for individuals to work through their childhood trauma and develop a deeper understanding of themselves. By addressing these underlying issues, individuals can break free from destructive patterns and create healthier, more fulfilling relationships in their lives, as well as not pass these patterns on to future generations.

 

Somatic Experiencing (SE):

SE works by allowing the body to complete the natural stress response cycle, which can become stuck or incomplete after a traumatic event. Individuals can learn to regulate their nervous system, process and release stored trauma, and develop tools for self-care and coping. It is a gentle and effective approach to trauma healing that can benefit individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

The vast majority of people have traumatic experiences in their lifetime which unknowingly gets stored in the body. By releasing these stored traumatic experiences through Somatic Experiencing, individuals can experience relief from symptoms such as anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and other physical and emotional challenges.  

 

EMDR:

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of therapy used to treat individuals who have experienced trauma or distressing events. During EMDR therapy, the client is guided to recall traumatic memories while simultaneously focusing on external stimuli such as hand movements or vibrations. This process is believed to help the brain reprocess the traumatic memories in a healthier way, reducing their emotional impact and allowing the individual to move forward and heal. EMDR therapy has been found to be effective in treating conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression.

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Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART):

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and EMDR share some similarities in their approach to treating trauma and other mental health issues. Both models involve the use of eye movements and visualization techniques to help process and reframe traumatic memories. However, ART typically involves fewer sessions and aims to resolve issues more quickly, often within one to two sessions as opposed to the typical eight to ten sessions with EMDR. This accelerated approach can be appealing to individuals who are seeking more rapid resolution to their mental health concerns.

 

Adaptive Internal Relational Network (AIR-Network):

The Adaptive Internal Relational Network (AIR) Network Model, developed locally by McClelland, Miller, and Solon, is a therapeutic approach that has been used for over two decades to support individuals dealing with various challenges, including dissociation. This model is grounded in neuro-psychological and neuro-developmental research, emphasizing the impact of trauma on neural networks and the interconnected systems of the brain and body.

 

When an individual experiences trauma, their brain is flooded with stress hormones, which can lead to changes in brain structure and function. This can result in difficulties with regulating emotions, forming healthy relationships. And processing information. Additionally, trauma can lead to the development of maladaptive coping strategies, such as avoidance or numbing, which can further impact neural networks.

 

The Adaptive Internal Relational (AIR) Network Modal recognizes that trauma affects the interconnected systems of the brain and the body and emphasizes the importance of addressing these interconnected systems in trauma treatment. By understanding how trauma impacts neural networks, therapists can help individuals develop new, adaptive ways of relating to themselves and others.

 

This type of therapy works to help individuals work towards healing from trauma by rewiring their neural networks and developing healthier ways of coping and relating. By fostering neuroplasticity and promoting healing in all areas of the brain, individuals can work towards a more integrated and balanced sense of self.