Somatic Therapists in Allegheny County, PA

The second half of life can be much better than the first. In fact, midlife is an ideal time for healing, growth, and change. So if your ship launched on choppy waters or rocky shoals and you're still navigating rough seas, a midlife course correction could help. What's required? Openness to new experiences, willingness to engage, capacity to commit, and a therapist who knows what's possible and how to achieve it. Set sail with a seasoned mariner to navigate the midlife passage with the art of healing, the science of change, and the "hard work miracle" of growth.

I am a trauma-informed and somatically-oriented therapist. I can sit with you, listen to you, and walk with you in the hardest places. And with the wisdom I’ve garnered from years of experience, I can guide you towards a life that has meaning. Body, heart, mind, and soul all matter in my work. Blending the best elements from somatic psychology, mindfulness, intergenerational and trauma work, I stay current with what is cutting edge to help you heal. See my website to get more information about me and easily contact me there.

I support people to balance their nervous system by contextualizing their experience within the Polyvagal theory. I work with attachment wounding to rewire the neural circuitry of the brain and utilize somatic experience to create an internal sense of safety. This will create a loving and kind environment to come home to when all other coping skills are not working. With commitment to the process and yourself, your life is guaranteed to change. I utilize blends of Spiritual Psych, IFS, EMDR, Gestalt, Existential, Somatic Experiencing, Solution Focused, PACT and Positive Psychology.

I have been a psychologist for 35 years and work with clients who are interested in exploring their options in how they live in the world. I see the therapeutic process as a dialogue between two partners in exploration and developing resources. For me choice supports health and that clients sometime come with a lack of awareness of these choices or needing to develop more internal and interpersonal supports. I work in the present moment as well as connecting present patterns to client's history as well as the larger contextual field. My approach is relational and somatic from a Gestalt Therapy base.

I specialize in working with clients who have experienced trauma including PTSD, C-PTSD and dissociative disorders. I provide a safe, nonjudgmental, identity-affirming space where we can explore what may be causing difficulty in your life. I help my clients develop self-compassion and acceptance while addressing and healing the root causes of their trauma, anger, anxiety, depression, and grief. I view psychotherapy as a collaborative experience between therapist and client. Together we will envision where you want to be and I will support and challenge you to grow and heal.

I strive to create a relaxed, supportive and positive environment for my clients during each counseling session, because I understand how difficult and scary it can be for clients to disclose personal information. I show my clients respect, honesty, compassion and I listen without judgement. I make sure my clients feel heard, validated, supported and gain insight. I have 22 years of experience working with children, adolescents and adults in a variety of settings which include: Outpatient, Home/Community, School-Based, Psychiatric Hospitals and Primary Care Physician Offices.

As a Counselor and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), I support and hold space for the healing of all kinds of trauma. I enjoy working with clients who seek support with chronic illness, sexuality, self growth, relationships & attachment, life transitions, family, systemic trauma and multigenerational or cultural matters. I believe we are deeply impacted by the cultural, social and historical contexts to which we originate, exist, and navigate; therefore I strive to attune to and support these facets of your experience in our work.

I believe each person has the power to expand their agency and live in more authenticity and alignment with their values. I work with individuals, couples, and families to build upon strengths and lean into growing edges, to deepen our connection to meaning, body, and relationships and see new paths forward. Many of my clients are care workers, poly/ENM couples, and trans folks navigating gender identity and family relationships.

Do you feel that no matter how much you understand yourself you still struggle to change and to heal? Do you feel like you're not able to be your best self in your relationships or with your work? Do you always put yourself last and find it challenging to meet your own needs for self care? Do you need a safe place to heal from trauma? Please know that you are not alone

I work with women who struggle with blended high/low self esteem. To the outside world, we are successful and have our shit together. Except we are masters at hiding pain. Inside, we have a black hole filled with guilt, shame, and feeling unworthy. We feel stress managing family, life, career, relationships, and don't feel good enough. We carry trauma in our bodies and it shows up in our daily life. From a young age, we learned self betrayal was pivotal to be worthy of love and to feel good enough. We didn't have a voice. My focus is repairing the damage due to past experiences and how it’s created a critical view to our own self.

Daytime openings available. I am a licensed psychologist and I provide treatment for adults who are struggling with overwhelming painful emotions, a nagging sense of stuckness, or other unwanted experiences such as depression, anxiety, adjustment issues, development issues, relationship problems, trauma, bereavement, women's issues. I also work with people who are feeling generally good but are looking to "fine tune" some aspect of their lives that they sense could be more satisfying.

Are you struggling to find hope and meaning in a stressful world? Is it difficult to focus and make space for reflection? My approach to psychotherapy is primarily informed by relational-interpersonal theory, drawing from elements of existential and somatic practices. These approaches to therapy inform my belief that we can heal and grow when we are able to increase awareness of our experience, make meaning, and strengthen our relationships with ourselves and others. I emphasize community as crucial to a fulfilling life, and am passionate about helping people work through conflict with others with compassion and honesty.

I see therapy as a way of deepening relationship to purpose, land, bodies, and each other. I help people build capacity so they can show up in more meaningful ways in their relationships and the world.  I draw upon body-based (somatic) and insight-based (psychodynamic) therapies to help open up places where people are stuck, uncover what is held in the body and psyche, explore troubled aspects of the self, and create new possibilities.

The goal for all of my clients is to find peace within themselves and begin living a life that they choose. Life circumstances can strip us of our authentic selves and I am here to help you explore and welcome a path of personal wholeness and self acceptance. My approach to therapy is holistic and consists primarily of cognitive behavioral therapy, somatic techniques, self-compassion, and mindfulness. Whether it is mental health, addiction, an unhealthy relationship, stress, trauma or something else, I understand the importance of working with the mind, body and spirit in order to experience complete healing.

Over the past 30 plus years of providing counseling to children/adolescents, adults, couples and families, I have offered a very safe environment for people to begin healing from relationship issues, past traumas, grief and loss, anxiety and depression, etc. I particularly work with individuals going through life transitions, healing from childhood trauma and/or abuse, divorce, adoption and addiction recovery. I utilize various therapeutic interventions, focusing on what is best for each individual. I have training in EMDR and have a trauma informed focus. I integrate mindfulness practices and somatic body work as well.

Unable to accept new clients at this time.I believe it takes strength and courage to acknowledge difficult experiences, feelings and life stressors. Sometimes things can build up individually or within relationships and become overwhelming.

My ideal client is ready to show up for themselves. They have an idea or sense that there are things to work on. Maybe they know what the issues are or maybe they'd like some guidance through that exploration. The first step is seeking connection. A therapeutic relationship can be powerful towards setting and achieving goals! I understand there is a lot of stigma around mental health services. I have both personal and professional experience in this realm. I strive to create an open and safe space for clients regardless of where they are on their journey.

I believe each of us has a gift of Self to unwrap and embrace along life's journey, especially when we've lived through a life threatening event or a series of chronic traumas. I know first hand how impossible connecting to ourselves can seem afterward. We grieve the loss of a sense of safety and often believe that our identity has changed to what has happened to us. We fear life will always be tarnished and feel set apart by our shame. Through my own life journey and my experiences as a Trauma therapist I have witnessed the reclaiming of Self that arises from the ashes of violence when healing begins to happen!

Now licensed in PA and OH! If you are someone looking to improve your relationship with your mind and body, we're glad you found us! Led by an EMDR-trained clinical social worker, we believe that trauma is a universal lived experience, and we understand the role of the body in adapting to challenges. We also specialize in athletic and sports performance if you're struggling with mental blocks or recovering from an injury.