Types of therapy offered

  • I use the Internal Family Systems model to help clients:

    -Identify what is not working in their life and how they want it to be different

    -Identify parts of them/defenses/layers of self-protection that are keeping them from living the fullest version of themself

    -Understand how, when, where, and why those defenses came to be needed

    -Release burdens and beliefs they’ve been carrying that no longer serve them

    See fees here

  • - With less time pressure, intensive sessions allow for emotional and relational spaciousness that calms down protective parts and complex, stuck internal dynamics can get thoroughly mapped out. 

    - Deep corrective work around trauma and exiled emotions is able to unfold naturally without the interruption of the hour cut off. 

    - Examples of topics that clients bring to extended sessions: 

    • “Do I want to have a child?”

    • “Do I want to stay married?”

    • “I have this harsh inner critic that destroys my confidence and contentment.”

    • “I want to take ___ risk, but I’m scared and the fear paralyzes me.” 

    - Clients emerge with clarity about their dilemmas, confidence in their ability to move forward, and compassion for themselves and others.

    - For many clients, it’s easier to book a babysitter or take off work for a full morning or long afternoon than it is to make weekly, 55-minute sessions. 

    -Coming less frequently, but for longer sessions saves on commute time, especially for those traveling from outside St. Louis.

    See fees here

  • I use Intimacy From The Inside Out to help couples:

    -Respectfully engage in difficult conversations that can often spiral into anger, hurt, and disconnection

    -Track their most entrenched conflicts (e.g. finances, sex, division of labor, parenting styles, relationships with in-laws) so they can feel equally heard, understood, and validated

    -Connect to the vulnerable feelings and needs beneath their defenses

    -Find the courage to speak for those needs and desires to their partner in a way that makes their partner more available to listen and want to support those needs

    -Learn to take a pause, attenuate to what is getting activated inside of them and then courageously, but calmly, speak for that deeper need to their partner

    -I love that moment in the session when both partner’s nervous systems have settled and they feel safe enough to connect and create a relationship that serves them both

    See fees here

  • - Together with IFS teacher and coach, Rennie Grayson, we offer 2 hour group sessions lasting 12-15 weeks, with groups of 8-10 participants who are familiar with the IFS model and interested in deepening their practice.

    - In a culture where loneliness is an epidemic, groups provide an antidote to isolation. 

    - Rennie and I lead participants through exercises such as intention setting, mapping, sculpting, parts interviewing, unblending, and speaking for parts.  Not sure what any of that means? No worries! You’ll learn in the group.

    - Parts get activated in a group setting that do not otherwise come up in individual therapy.  Parts have the opportunity to experience being heard, seen, known, accepted, valued and understood.

    - Participants gain clarity and awareness of their internal system through the safe and brave space of the group so that they can access more Self-energy (those 8 C's and 5 P's) to bring to their daily life, relationships, work, and the greater world.

    See fees here

Specialties

  • Intensive IFS sessions

  • Somatic IFS sessions

  • Groups

  • Anxiety/panic attacks

  • Stress/burn out

  • Perfectionism

  • Insomnia

  • Chronic Pain

  • Loneliness

  • Couples

What to expect as a client

If you think I might be a good fit for your needs, fill out the form on my contact page and I’ll follow up with an email or phone call. If I have availability, we’ll set up a first appointment. In the first appointment I’ll explain confidentiality and what to expect from therapy. I’ll do a thorough assessment of your background, current challenges and how you’d like to be different.

For clients interested in intensive sessions, I ease into building relationship by beginning with two or three 55-minute sessions to assess fit and goals.  Prior to the extended session, I’ll provide you with reflection questions to help discern the focus of inquiry for your session.  After your extended session, I’ll send you home with questions and activities to integrate your experience.  Some clients prefer to exclusively do extended sessions.  Other clients mix in 55 min sessions for check-ins between extended sessions.  It’s flexible and adaptable to your needs and preference.