Hello!
I am so glad you are here!
Finding the right therapist can feel a bit overwhelming. So kudos to you for doing your research!
Let me tell you about my story…
(And perhaps I may have the honor of learning your story too!)
My story is one of walking in the dark and finding the way back home. Let’s take it WAY back to about 20 years ago … the day I auditioned for my middle school dance team. This was the day I first discovered the power of dance and movement as a healing modality. As a pre-teen dealing with the struggles of puberty and undiagnosed depression, I was utterly LOST and I felt completely alone. What’s worse I could not understand what I was going through and I felt that I had to hide the deep sadness I was experiencing. But when I hit the dance floor… I no longer had to hide. I was free.
I was utterly LOST and I felt completely alone.”
Dance became my therapy long before I even knew about the psychotherapeutic modality of Dance/Movement Therapy. I was beginning to find my way… but my journey and my story, much like many others, is not a linear progression towards peace. It has been a winding road with twists and turns. Time and time again, the lights have been unexpectedly shut off and I have found myself in pitch black darkness again. I learned that the beautiful thing about the body is that it is ALWAYS with you. Even when I felt lost navigating toxic relationships, queerness, disordered eating, my experience as a woman of color, and the complexities of self worth… the body was there to guide me back to myself.
I learned that the beautiful thing about the body is that it is ALWAYS with you.”
Today I can say that I have not only gained a profound love for my body, and therefore myself, but have also mastered my ability to trust the innate wisdom of my body which consistently leads me back HOME. I have become BodyWise.
So how can I help you?
1. Present Moment Awareness…
No matter the kind of challenge you may be up against, awareness is key. The more you practice awareness of your thoughts, emotions and body sensations, the more power you will have to make different choices from the usual pattern which may be keeping you stuck. I can help you find your way to better choices with mindfulness and focus.
2. Be Moved to Be You…
If you are alive, you can move. Many times anxiety, stress and trauma manifests as a freezing of the body or an excess of energy in the body which may make you feel restless and on edge. On the other hand, depression may manifest as a heaviness in the body and a disconnect with body sensations, or numbness. Movement can provide a language for whatever may be occurring beneath the surface which you may have lost contact with or has become too painful to address. As a skilled and perceptive dance therapist I will meet you where you are and help you shift from surviving to thriving.
3. Master New Skills and Master your Life…
What makes mental health… healthy? Well if you ask me it’s all about integrating the mind and body (and spirit if that resonates with you!). In order to do that, my approach is to teach you new skills which are relevant to your journey so that you can have practical tools which you can access outside of the therapy session. Whether its learning to regulate your emotions, managing stress or skillfully communicating, I can help you learn new ways to feel empowered in your life.
“It is my perspective that often times mental health disorder is rooted in a lack of connection with the body. By creating a bridge between what we think, how we physically feel and how we experience the world, we can find harmony.”
Want to know more about me? Learn about The BodyWise Approach
Also, here is a list of my Formal Training and Credentials:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- Registered Dance/Movement Therapist, Board Eligible
- Certified Yoga Teacher
- Certified Reiki Practitioner, Level 3
- Over 14 years experience in the mental health field
- Completed training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy
I am also a part of the therapist collective at Sunserve non-profit organization which serves the LGBTQI+ community with mental health needs. I offer workshops and speaking engagements in the community in a variety of settings including: dance education settings, mental health institutions, holistic wellness settings, and more!