Hello! I’m a licensed dance therapist with 18 years of experience specializing in trauma healing via empowerment and resilience. I support helpers, healers, & creatives cultivate self-worth and achieve balance in their lives through an embodied approach to therapy. Let’s unlock your innate wisdom so you can be YOU and start making your dreams a reality.
My Story:
I have walked the path of the “wounded healer” since having dealt with depression as an adolescent and throughout life; which led to my personal discovery of the healing power of movement. My experiences have taught me that challenges can become a catalyst for healing. Fascinated with embodiment and psychology, I became a licensed body-centered psychotherapist and today I am the proud founder of BodyWise Psychotherapy. My expertise in dance/movement therapy allows me to understand that oftentimes mental health disorder is rooted in a lack of connection with the body. I offer a holistic approach to counseling which goes beyond traditional talk therapy and integrates dance/movement therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and mindfulness.
My passion:
I am passionate about my work in uplifting people of color, queer folks and allies to feel empowered enough to create the life they want. I want my clients to feel free to address internalized stigma or societal oppression and how it lives in the body. Let’s talk about it so that we may heal from discrimination or marginalization and embrace self acceptance. At the core of my approach is a firm mission of inclusivity and diversity competence. My mission is to continue to expand to my highest potential so that I may empower others to do the same.
I can help you learn new ways to feel empowered in your life
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.”
Also, here is a list of my Formal Training and Credentials:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist
- Certified Yoga Teacher
- Certified Reiki Practitioner, Level 4
- Over 18 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!