Approaches to Therapy

Virtual therapy for adults in CO, WA, OR, NY, and FL

Serene landscape with misty mountains, calm water, and blurred foliage in the foreground.

A mind-body approach to healing trauma and building emotional resilience

My work is rooted in three powerful approaches that help clients heal from trauma and reconnect with themselves: Somatic EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Polyvagal Theory. Each of these approaches is trauma-informed and centered around your experience, your body, and your capacity for healing.

Somatic EMDR

Somatic EMDR combines traditional Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with body-based (somatic) awareness to support deep, holistic trauma healing. It processes traumatic memories that are stuck in the nervous system. While standard EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (like eye movements or tapping), Somatic EMDR adds gentle attention to the body’s sensations, nervous system responses, and physical patterns of holding or bracing.

This integrative approach helps clients move through stuck survival responses (like freeze, collapse, or hypervigilance) in a supportive, manageable way. It’s especially useful for complex trauma, dissociation, and early relational wounds.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

IFS is a respectful, evidence-based approach that views the mind as made up of different “parts,” each with its own role and perspective. These parts often develop in response to past experiences—like the inner critic, the people-pleaser, the protector, or the wounded child—these parts often carry pain or try to protect you in ways that no longer serve you.

At the heart of IFS is the Self—the calm, compassionate core within each of us that is capable of healing. As you begin to connect to your parts from this place of Self, rather than reacting from shame, fear or frustration, you build a more trusting and supportive relationship with yourself. You’ll learn to soothe the protective parts, care for the hurt ones, and lead from a grounded, calm inner self.

Polyvagal Theory

Polyvagal Theory helps us understand how the nervous system influences our emotions, behaviors, thoughts, and sense of safety. When you've experienced relational trauma your body might stay stuck in fight, flight, or shut down, even when you're no longer in danger. It explains how our body responds to stress through these different states and how these automatic responses affect our ability to connect and heal.

By learning to recognize and regulate these nervous system states, you can build greater resilience and return to a place of safety and balance.

In therapy, we’ll learn how your unique nervous system reacts and what helps bring it back into balance. You’ll gain tools to feel more present, connected, and safe in your body and relationships.

How It All Comes Together

I integrate Somatic EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Polyvagal Theory to support healing on every level—body, mind, and nervous system.

Polyvagal Theory helps us understand how your nervous system has been shaped by stress and how to find safety in your body. IFS gives us a compassionate framework for working with the inner parts of you that carry pain or protection. Somatic EMDR works to gently release trauma stored not just in your mind, but deeply within your memory and your body.

Together, these approaches create a path toward lasting change—one that honors your story, your resilience and your capacity for healing.

What I Offer

Whether you’re healing from childhood trauma, navigating a narcissistic relationship, or grew up in a narcissistic family, therapy with me is flexible to meet your needs. You can work with me in weekly sessions or in longer therapy intensives—or a combination of both

Three Core Areas of Focus

Two Ways to Work Together

  • Ongoing Weekly Sessions
    45 or 90 minute virtual therapy appointments at a consistent pace.

  • Therapy Intensives
    Deep, focused 3+ hour sessions over one or more days.

Ready to begin with a grounded, holistic approach?

Whether you’re new to therapy or returning with specific goals, I offer a thoughtful, integrated path forward. You don’t need to know exactly where to start — together, we’ll find a way forward that feels safe, steady, and effective. Reach out to schedule a free consultation.