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The mind-body connection is real, and in therapy, I see the mental and physical as one in the same. And no, this does not mean “the pain is all in your head"- your pain is very real! Pain is a very complex phenomenon that not only lives in our body, but is very closely tied to our brain and our emotions. This isn’t an entirely new concept- Have you ever been anxious and it turned into an upset stomach? Or how about getting a headache from feeling stressed? In these ways, it i

As a therapist, there is no better feeling than cultivating trust with a client, and hearing about your innermost thoughts and feelings. Creating a relationship with you is the most foundational part of treatment, and it takes time to build a sense of trust and safety. With that said, there are some ways to build that trust and get to the real work more quickly. Here are some things that will help guide you, as a client, towards meeting your goals. It’s not easy, but it is ul

This may ruffle some feathers, but I feel very strongly about these 8 things when working with chronic pain & chronic illness. I have worked with many people suffering from chronic illness & pain, and have witnessed the patterns that help the most with healing. In fact, I myself am in recovery from chronic illness and incorporate these very themes into my own life every day. Fighting against your symptoms is only making them worse. Part of the recovery process is (ironically)

When we think about chronic pain, anxiety, and depression, we often think of them as completely separate conditions with different treatment targets. But, what if there are some important similarities in the way the brain and nervous system can contribute to all three? This is one of the ideas explored in the work of physician and researcher Dr. Howard Schubiner, MD, particularly his book called "Unlearn your Pain" about neuroplastic pain and the mind-body connection. His app

What you Weren't Taught About Chronic Pain Pain is a bio-psycho-social phenomenon, meaning that we need to target all 3 in order to recover from chronic pain. Modern medicine has taught us to view the mental and physical health as two separate things, but this does not match the biological reality of how the nervous system, pain, and the brain are all intertwined. While this does NOT mean the pain is "all in your head," the solution is likely not going to be solely in address

And the truth behind these myths. As a therapist specializing in chronic pain and chronic illness, I often come across these common misconceptions about the link between emotions and health symptoms. Do any of these resonate with you? Myth: Because my symptoms are physical, therefore they can’t be related to my emotions Truth: While medical treatment can definitely be helpful (and life saving!), evidence shows a clear link between the mind and body. Many beliefs, emotions an

Nervous system regulation has been a big buzz phrase online recently, and may even come with some controversy. It's important to add that it carries a lot more nuance than what I can write in a blog post, and requires daily, gentle practice to help bring yourself back to safety. If you are someone who’s suffered from trauma, you may find these practices hard to incorporate on your own, and I recommend seeking the support of a therapist. Non Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR, also known a

No emotions or health symptoms are inherently good or bad. They are all trying to protect us, even the uncomfortable ones. Attempting to avoid or push them away will only give them more control over you. Yes, that includes the chronic pain, shame, anger and all the most unpleasant feelings. Once you master the acceptance over these feelings, you can truly have freedom. Spirituality, psychology and science are interconnected. Many spiritual, ancient practices have been proven

As someone who has struggled with chronic illness and mysterous health conditions for over 10 years, I simply have to honor the importance of self care. Luckily I have (mostly) overcome my symptoms with the help of trying out MANY different things. Most significantly was learning how to support my nervous system, asking my body what it needed and taking care of myself. If you are (or love someone who is) dealing with nonstop, chronic and mysterous health symptoms, then here a

As an avid reader, I've read dozens of self-help, memoirs, psychology and adjacent books to help me soak up information. I've always been so curious about other people's perspectives, and what it's like to be in their shoes, and memoirs have really satiated that curiosity. I believe all the reading I've done over the years (both fiction and non-fiction!) have helped me to become a more compassionate, understanding and curious therapist, because I can really see things your po

A few months ago, I saw this trend going around on social media. It made me think about some of the things I would tell you (friends or...

The power of validation: So important to validate first, especially for clients who have been through trauma or chronic invalidation by...

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious condition that can significantly impact one's quality of life. For those seeking psychotherapy for PTSD, I am a skilled professional who specializes in various therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT) is a widely used therapeutic approach that focuses on identifying and changing negative

When seeking expert psychotherapy services, finding a therapist who prioritizes trauma-informed care can make all the difference in the healing journey. Often, trauma survivors also suffer from guilt and shame that only exacerbates suffering and blocks further healing. As a result, it is important to find a practitioner whose approach stands out for their nonjudgmental, empathetic nature. I bring a wealth of experience to my practice, specializing in a range of therapeutic mo