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Therapeutic Specialties

  • You are a human being looking for support.

  • You want to understand & befriend your emotions instead of distracting or reacting from them.

  • You may have tried traditional talk therapy, but it didn’t work.

  • You may be highly sensitive & care deeply about the world, making you feel overwhelmed, stressed, or burnt out.

  • You might be struggling with anxiety, depression, or substance abuse.

  • You might identify as a member of a historically oppressed community & want support in navigating societal challenges & embodiment

  • You may feel lost or confused about your purpose in life.

  • You might want to explore your spirituality or sexuality.

  • You are ready to do shadow work.

  • You might want help integrating your psychedelic experiences.

  • You want to create positive change in your life & the lives of others

Methods & Frameworks

What does I-Thou mean?

Relationships are inherent for our survival as a species. From childhood to young adulthood, the core developmental stages revolve around relationships - how we survive, differentiate, and relate in relationships. 

The term "I-Thou" was initially coined by the philosophy of Martin Buber, a Jewish existentialist philosopher, and is now used by many Gestalt and Experiential Psychotherapists. In his influential work "I and Thou" (1923), Buber explores the nature of human relationships and distinguishes between two modes of relating: the "I-Thou" relationship and the "I-It" relationship. An "I-Thou" relationship is having a deep and meaningful connection where we truly see and understand each other; we each have a respectable role of autonomy and choice. On the other hand, an "I-It" relationship is more transactional, like seeing someone as an object or a means to an end. As a therapist, I prioritize I-Thou. 

Scientifically, the I-Thou relationship involves limbic resonance, which is the emotional connection and synchronization between individuals, fostering mutual understanding and empathy. This activation and synchronization happens in our neural circuits, including the mirror neurons and limbic system. 

Philosophically, if the relationship has mutual understanding and safety, an opportunity for exploration presents itself. The I-Thou relationship is, at its core, mutual understanding and safety; safety equals opportunity, and opportunity paves the way for healing.

I-Thou Values & Principles

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    Autonomy

    The client is the expert of their own lived experience. I will always have a guiding therapeutic process but never superimpose an agenda. A fundamental therapeutic value is supporting the client’s autonomy through a non-violent approach. I meet the client where they are.

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    Organicity

    The word soma, from the Greek, refers to the living body in its wholeness. Understanding and trusting one’s somatic experience is a foundational skill toward wholeness. Our body's wisdom plays a significant role in how we experience our lives, and the more we understand how it’s organized, the more power we gain.

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    Mindfulness

    Mindfulness - a state of relaxed, nonjudgmental awareness– to study, activate, and directly experience one's current feelings, thoughts, and behavior. My therapeutic approach is centered around mindfulness, and I encourage my clients to embody this deep state of nonjudgmental attention.

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    Safety

    With safety as a core principle, I assist clients in finding and flexing their strengths and qualities that help replenish the system. I encourage my clients to maintain a safe rhythm of resourcing and self-care inside and outside the session.

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    Loving Presence

    Loving presence is an intentional appreciation of others or oneself. This principle provides the strength to engage with the vast and unpredictable world with genuine curiosity, care, and positive intentions. 

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