Areas of Specialty

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) occurs after a perceived stressful or life-threatening event, in which someone was trapped or unable to have escaped, with limited resources. Individuals may present with avoidance or intrusions, like flashbacks, nightmares, hyper-vigilance, dissociation, increased preoccupation and rumination over the event, negative beliefs towards self and others, anxiety, and depression. Trauma can keep us stuck in feeling unsafe, not in control, and that we are inherently damaged.  

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 EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) therapy is found to be the most effective treatment for trauma survivors. Some other treatments may include cognitive behavioral therapies and expressive therapies.

Eating disorders can present due to body-dissatisfaction, cultural expectations, pressure from social media, in some cases related to genetic components, as well as triggered by traumatic events. Eating disorder behaviors often become a way to cope with stressful life experiences. Research suggests that trauma can amplify symptoms of poor body image, self-criticism, low self esteem, perfectionism, impulsivity, compulsivity, and dissociation.

 

Attachment focused therapy, DBT, ACT, and CBT can help support understanding the negative beliefs, emotions, and behaviors that underlie the eating disorder. EMDR can be a useful treatment to target events that may have spurred onset, as well as urges and triggers. Nutritional counseling may also be recommended if medically necessary.

Anxiety is a fear-based feeling state typically oriented towards the future that can be both adaptive and maladaptive to well-being and functioning. Anxiety may prevent us from being present, feeling safe, or in control of our lives. Anxiety is also a natural response to stressors, helping to build motivation and confront issues. Developing healthy coping strategies and an understanding of the source of anxiety can help provide empowerment. Anxiety may also be a response to adverse life events and trauma, due to the feeling state remaining stuck in the sympathetic nervous system responding to triggers.

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CBT, DBT, ACT, and EMDR can be useful methods to cope with and neutralize anxiety. Expressive therapies can help develop an outlet and practice for anxiety.

Bipolar disorder is a life long condition based on the presence of at least one manic episode, or the presence of hypomania and a depressive episode. Individuals with Bipolar disorder often struggle with imbalance and stability which impairs every day functioning. Coping with mood triggers and developing routine for disrupted circadian rhythms is tantamount, as decreased need for sleep, activity changes, impulsivity, and mood instability and impair living. Individuals with Bipolar disorder may find peace through developing awareness in their own body's wisdom through social rhythms and reducing stress. Autonomy and agency can be found through curating a lifestyle that fits their internal clock.

 

Some treatments include Interpersonal Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), expressive therapies, as well as other cognitive behavioral therapies such as CBT and DBT. Medication management may also be recommended. Maintenance and remission become stepping stones towards a life worth living.

Often we believe that altering or asserting control over our bodies solves the problem. Developing greater insight into self, understanding our inner critic, demands of diet culture, and practicing radical acceptance and self compassion take precedence in to body liberation.

 

I take a Health At Every Size approach to support weight inclusivity and reject diet culture, which often creates feelings of isolation and otherness for non-conforming bodies. In this work we can develop feelings of being enough and wholeness.