Somatic Therapists in Wade, Raleigh, NC

Is life stressing you out? I don't just help my clients develop skills to manage stress effectively but also work through and heal from what is the underlying causes to stress in their life. I am unlike most therapist because I am highly trained in different somatic approaches including Somatic Experiencing, where I incorporate my exceptional level of knowledge in neuroscience to therapy sessions. I am able to explain to you how your nervous system and brain functions when under physically and emotional stress, how this impacts your mental health, and how to heal from this in therapy.

I received my Bachelors in Counseling and minor in Expressive Arts Therapy from Lesley University and my Masters of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I have over ten years of experience working with mood disorders, trauma and addiction in various settings. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, I am passionate about working with individuals with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma, attachment wounds, negative core beliefs and self esteem, body image, grief and loss, as well as addiction.

Are you wanting to enhance your mental well-being, foster self-awareness, improve relationships, and find fulfillment? Feeling overwhelmed or struggling? Needing a safe, non-judgmental space to explore yourself and develop coping skills? Want to feel happier, more in control? More in touch with your body? Move past reoccurring problems? I support clients of all ages and backgrounds to address various issues including depression, anxiety, stress, life transitions, trauma, ADHD, substance use, relationship conflicts, family conflicts, navigating multi-cultural issues, with particular experience with Asian and American cultures.

My journey to becoming a therapist started in an art room. I attended NCSU's College of Design, which led to teaching high school art for several years. Teaching allowed me to find my calling as a therapist and consultant. I graduated from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social work in 2008, and have since pursued Certifications in Addictions, Self-Compassion, & the work of Dr. Brené Brown. I also have specific training in Emotionally Focused Individual and Family Therapy which is based on attachment theory as well as AEDP, an experiential therapy model that helps heal trauma through corrective emotional experiences.

Every day I have the privilege of working with the bravest folks on the planet & none of you know it when you first walk in the door. You often feel defeated, overwhelmed & ashamed that you aren't able to "get over" your sexual, physical or emotional trauma. It's also common for you to have a nagging, chronic sense that something is just not right, an unhappiness; feeling unloved or unlovable, disconnected from friends and family, having lost a sense of purpose or direction. Without knowing that these symptoms may be telling us that a past trauma--long ago

There is a myriad of ways we humans suffer - anxiety, depression, loss and grief, hurtful relationships, trauma and its aftermath, intolerable feelings of shame, guilt, loneliness and sadness, parental challenges, addictions, panic attacks, confusion, disappointments, and on and on. And..., it takes courage to seek help. It would be my privilege to offer you a warm and safe space to freely speak and to be.

My clients are females age 16-35 seeking therapy because they struggle to keep up with the demands of school, work, housework and/or relationships. They often suspect they are neurodiverse or have high functioning autism. They find themselves often overstimulated and overwhelmed. They tend to prioritize others above themselves, have big hearts and even bigger feelings. Their goals are to utilize therapy to figure out how to not only survive, but thrive in a world that feels challenging.

I specialize in Dream Work and psychodynamic therapy. My clients seek answers like you do. Despite their deep intuition, creative spirit, and profound sensitivity, life feels confusing and disjointed. When they first come in, they're overwhelmed, they don’t trust their instincts, and they question their inner voice constantly. It feels like their dreams hold significant messages, like some part of themself is crying for attention, but they’re unsure of how to decipher them. In dreams and in life, they feel like there’s always a hidden meaning, a part of themself, that they’re missing.

Do you overthink situations, constantly replay situations in your head or you often feel overwhelmed? Do you constantly worry and don’t know how to turn this off? Do you find that you struggle with confidence and often question yourself? Maybe you're having difficultly managing your emotions? Or you don't know what you are feeling? Lets work together to turn off the negative self talk, figure out how to manage your overwhelming emotions and find your best self.

Accepting new clients as of 08/19/2024. I work with adults who want to live a better, more meaningful life that isn’t dominated by suffering and shame. To achieve this, I help individuals connect with their wisdom and vitality during sessions to live better lives outside of sessions. I work with individuals to address issues including mood and anxiety, relationship struggles, substance use, life transitions, gender and sexuality, complex trauma, and identity exploration. I believe we all struggle to deal with various types of pain and shame, but with support and compassion, it is possible to live a liberated life.

I believe everyone deserves a space to process, heal, and grow no matter the circumstance. My therapeutic approach is rooted in collaboration, resiliency, and compassion. I believe healing is a nonlinear process and unique to each individual. I am passionate about facilitating a safe environment in which individuals can explore their own path of self-discovery. I use experiential, expressive arts, body-based, cognitive, and behavioral approaches in my work with clients. I work with teens and adults who have experienced trauma, loss, and eating disorders.

Adults I work with are interested in setting boundaries, overcoming negative thought patterns, processing a loss, enhancing personal relationships and learning how to live intentionally rather than just checking boxes. I currently only have evening and weekend availability.

Traditional talk therapy has limited benefits. Insight alone is not sufficient to generate change. Lasting change comes from addressing core beliefs which originate in childhood, and lead to habitual (and generally unconscious) ways of perceiving ourselves and the outside world. Thus 'our lives run us' rather than 'we run our lives'. Western culture tends to draw us away from ourselves to the outer world of materialism, competition and achievement. Mindfulness helps us to turn inward, attuning with the body, leading to the discovery of core beliefs that impede our ability to make healthy choices.

Hello! It can be really hard to be human- especially in our current world. I commend you for seeking support and I'm glad that you are here. Together, we can explore what has been showing up for you and find a path to greater awareness, meaning, and empowerment. It is my desire to create a safe environment for any and all identities, where you can share your story and experiences, process life transitions, and find support. My approach is compassionate and collaborative. I believe in the power of authentic human connection and a non-judgmental space to allow for you to access growth.

Life can be painful and in our efforts to cope, it's easy to get caught in self defeating patterns of thought, emotion and behavior. Sometimes, our challenges will resolve on their own and other times we need to address them more directly. It's hard to reach out, to admit we don't have it all together, but seeking therapy is a wise choice that takes incredible courage. I commend you for taking this step and promise to do my best to offer you a safe space to share your unique story, to heal and to grow.

BREAK UPS ARE HARD - YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Are you finding it hard to handle the difficult emotions that are coming up after the loss of a relationship? Do you want to be able to harness those emotions and use them for growth? Do you want to be part of a community that will provide support for your healing and transformation and help you find your way back to center? Offering Divorce Support Workshops in the Raleigh, NC and individualized coaching anywhere.

There are times in our lives when we feel overwhelmed, unmotivated, and disconnected. We lose sight of who we are and what we want. It is my belief that all humans are capable of growth and contentment. That, through practicing self-awareness and self-acceptance, we are able to re-examine beliefs, behaviors, and patterns of protection that keep us from connection and creating joy. I utilize an integrated and relational approach to work with clients on becoming "unstuck" from anxiety, depression, trauma, body image issues, relationship concerns, challenging life transitions, impacts of oppressive systems, and limiting beliefs.