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Inner Harmony and Growth
Therapy Models I use
Holistic Mental Health Care
As a therapist with 17 years of experience, I've learned that simply talking about problems often falls short of truly easing anxiety or feelings of being overwhelmed. This realization led me to explore evidence-based techniques that adopt a holistic, integrative approach to therapy.
Please note: If you are in a crisis, or have suicidal thoughts or uncontrolled racing thoughts, then outpatient therapy is not warranted. When someone is in a crisis state, it's hard to take in information, and I do lots of teaching. You may need a higher level of care, such as intensive outpatient or inpatient, until you feel stable. We must always prioritize safety. I can give you resources!
Inner Attachment - Inner Child
Explore the Depths of Your Inner Self- "Parts"
My therapeutic approach invites you to explore and understand the different inner voices that shape your experience. Each voice has its own reason for being there and its own way of trying to help—some show up to protect you, some hold old pain, and some carry wisdom and intuition.
Voice Dialogue and Inner Work
Voice Dialogue (similar to IFS) views the mind as a community of inner voices. Each voice carries a perspective, emotions, and a role in your inner world. In our work, we take time to notice which voices show up most often—like the one that pushes you, the one that worries, the one that shuts down, the one that tries to please, or the one that gets critical.
Instead of treating these voices as “problems,” we get curious about them. We listen for what they’re protecting, what they’re afraid would happen if they relaxed, and what they need from you. Over time, you build a more compassionate relationship with your inner world, so your choices feel less reactive and more aligned with the person you want to be.
The aim is integration: helping your inner voices communicate better with each other, so your whole system feels more balanced and supported.
The Vulnerable Voices and the Inner Child
Some inner voices carry the most tender material—old hurt, fear, shame, or the ache of feeling unseen. These often connect to early experiences and unmet needs. Many people experience these as “inner child” feelings: raw emotions that can rise up in the present and feel bigger than the situation in front of you.
When those vulnerable voices carry a lot, protective voices usually step in. You might notice perfectionism, people-pleasing, overthinking, avoidance, numbing, control, or self-criticism. These protective voices often developed at a time when they truly helped you function. In therapy, we respect their purpose while also helping them soften enough for you to connect with what’s underneath—at a pace that feels steady and safe.
Healing happens through reconnection: listening to the younger, wounded places with care, offering support, and building an inner relationship that brings relief and stability over time.
How Is This Helpful?
When you learn to recognize your inner voices, your patterns start making more sense. You see why you react the way you do, why certain triggers hit hard, and why you can feel pulled in opposite directions internally.
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understand your emotions and reactions with more clarity
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reduce inner conflict by improving the relationship between your voices
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create space between a trigger and your response
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support the parts of you that carry old burdens, so more of your authentic self leads the way
Inner Child Healing and the Brain
This work supports the nervous system and the brain, not just your emotions. Early experiences shape neural pathways and influence how you respond to stress, relationships, and self-worth. When old wounds remain unprocessed, the brain often stays organized around protection, which can keep you stuck in reactive loops.
As you build a compassionate, supportive relationship with your inner world, new pathways develop. Many people experience this as more emotional regulation, more resilience, and a stronger inner “anchor.” This is often described as inner parenting—learning how to show up for yourself with steadiness, clarity, confidence, and compassion.
A Flexible, Personalized Approach
Everyone has a unique psychological makeup, and no single therapy model fits every person. I draw from multiple approaches and tailor our work to your needs, your pace, and what supports you most.
Creating a Safe Space
Exploring vulnerable parts within yourself requires a comfortable and trusting environment. My goal is to create a space where you feel free to delve into your inner world and understand the complexities of your psyche.
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Emotional Freedom Technique
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also known as tapping therapy, is a holistic therapy technique that involves tapping on specific acupressure points on the body while focusing on a particular emotional issue. EFT is based on the premise that emotional stress can cause energy blockages in the body's meridian system, resulting in physical and emotional imbalances. The technique aims to release these blockages by tapping on specific acupressure points to stimulate energy flow and restore balance. EFT is often used as a complementary therapy for treating a wide range of emotional issues, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and phobias, among others.
This practice has been shown to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, specifically the ventral vagal complex, which is a key component of the polyvagal system.
The ventral vagal complex is responsible for regulating social engagement behaviors and helps us feel safe and connected to others.
When we experience stress or negative emotions, our sympathetic nervous system is activated, which can lead to a fight or flight response. This can cause us to feel anxious, irritable, or overwhelmed. By tapping on specific acupressure points while focusing on negative emotions, EFT has been shown to downregulate the sympathetic nervous system and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps us feel calm and relaxed.
Additionally, EFT has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress, and increase levels of serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), neurotransmitters associated with mood regulation and relaxation. This suggests that EFT may work by regulating the body's stress response and improving emotional regulation through the polyvagal system.
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Mind-Body for anxiety and Stress
--WE CHANGE by ACTION
--WE CHANGE by PRACTICE
Discussing and gaining insight into our problems within a therapeutic environment can be a powerful tool for healing. However, addressing anxiety may require a more proactive approach that involves implementing a consistent set of practices, habits, and lifestyle changes.
Information
The sessions provide practical techniques to manage depression, anxiety, and daily stress. I have observed that clients who possess a strong grasp of emotional regulation principles tend to experience more enduring positive outcomes than those who solely engage in talk therapy.
Life will always present us with challenges! Knowing how to navigate those challenges is one way to create more inner balance in your life.
Topics of Discussion
Introduction to the Mind-Body-Spirit Connection and Anxiety
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Understanding the connection between thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and spiritual well-being
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How anxiety impacts the mind, body, and spirit
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Importance of taking a holistic approach to anxiety management
Mindful Awareness and Self-Compassion Practice
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Learning how to cultivate mindful awareness and self-compassion to reduce anxiety
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Mindful breathing and meditation techniques
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How to integrate self-compassion into daily life
Body Techniques for Anxiety Management
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Gentle Yoga and Movement Practices
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Breathwork and Relaxation Techniques
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Nutrition and Gut Health
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Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping)
Spirit Techniques for Anxiety Management
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Connection to nature (mindfulness)
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Energy healing practices
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Journaling and expressive writing for listening to intuition
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Connecting with community and social support
Polyvagal Theory and Anxiety Regulation
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Overview of polyvagal theory and its relevance to anxiety
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Understanding the three states of the nervous system and how they impact anxiety
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Techniques for regulating the nervous system and reducing anxiety
Relationship Skills for Anxiety Management
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Framework for what creates a healthy relationship
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Communication patterns that impact couples the most
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Ways to increase couples' fondness and admiration
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Discuss the Magic Ratio, which is the balance between positive and negative interactions in a relationship
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Learn a few ways to recover from disagreements and increase connection
Developing a Holistic Practice for Managing Anxiety
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Integrating mind-body-spirit techniques into daily life
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Creating a personalized self-care plan
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Strategies for staying consistent with practice
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Celebrating progress and maintaining motivation
With dedication and diligence, you can anticipate the following outcomes: Enhanced physical well-being; Heightened comprehension of the triggers that prompt your reactions and the corresponding physiological responses; Augmented capacity to regulate your emotions, physical sensations and responses to stressors; and Increased ability to recover from setbacks and adversities, building your resilience.
I love education! If interested in "learning" please let me know! I can use a variety of methods
- PowerPoint presentations as a visual aid
- Videos
- Live gentle simple yoga movements - we will do some movement in session.
- Learn about tapping (emotional freedom technique)
- Breathing Exercises
- Meditations/Guided Relaxation exercises
- Education and more Education on how to regulate anxiety
- Learn how to manage stress, anxiety and worry
- Couple's communication methods to encourage connection
- Empower your own self-healing
Background:
This class is a combination of Overcome anxiety clinic by Sundra Institute, somatic movement, neuropsychology and general overall self-compassion as Kristen Neff and Tara Brach in Eastern psychology.
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Self - Compassion/Mindfulness Counseling
Reframe how you approach yourself with a compassionate perspective and experience the transformative power of self-love! During times of distress, we often turn to self-criticism, negative self-talk, and unrealistic expectations. But what if we chose kindness, patience, and understanding instead? What if this act of self-compassion could make us even stronger? It's time to break free from societal and cultural influences and cultivate a nurturing relationship with ourselves.
By incorporating mindfulness and compassion practices, we can address core issues such as unworthiness, depression, and perfectionism. Through guided meditations and mindfulness exercises, we can deepen our self-awareness, increase self-acceptance, and enhance our ability to regulate our thoughts and emotions.
Remember, the relationship we have with ourselves is the foundation for all other relationships in our lives. It shapes our experiences, affects our career goals, influences how we care for ourselves and our loved ones, and so much more. By bringing awareness and consciousness to our inner world, we can invite more peace, kindness, and presence into our daily lives. As a result, we can overcome anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, worry, stress, and low self-esteem, and live our best lives. So let's embrace the power of self-compassion and discover the beauty within ourselves!
I invite my clients to begin this journey with gentle curiosity and a sprinkle of open-mindedness.
One of my favorite teachers is Tara Brach and psychologist and meditation therapist.
Also, mindfulness has been well adapted to the Western psychology experience which I am well versed to teach, but I also have studied from the traditional Eastern concepts of where the practice originally ordinated.
What anxiety does...
Anxiety can have a profound impact on our physical and mental well-being. In today's world, it is all too easy to become overwhelmed by anxiety triggers. While anxiety can be a healthy and necessary response on a physical level, the problem arises when it becomes chronic and intense. Chronic stress and long-term anxiety have been linked to 90% of health problems in wellness research. The impact of anxiety is not limited to the mind and emotions but can affect our entire body and energy systems.
To combat anxiety, it's important to understand how it affects your nervous system and overall body functioning. Although anxiety impacts everyone differently, there are some common symptoms, including physical and emotional changes. Being aware of these symptoms allows us to counteract anxiety's effects. Different people respond to anxiety in different ways, and there are many techniques available to help manage its impact.
Anxiety is fueled by the unknown (among many things)
Anxiety is a common response to the unknown and can cause feelings of uneasiness and unsettledness. The current state of the world can increase anxiety and make the future seem scary. Coping with anxiety in a balanced manner is important, but each person's experience is different based on their perspectives, past experiences, and willingness to embrace something new. Treating anxiety can be complex due to these differences, but it is manageable. It's essential to remember that anxiety is a natural response to our environment and can be healthy and normal. However, learning to ride the waves of anxiety and reacting to the physical states in a more evolved manner can help make it a great resource.
Common physical symptoms not otherwise caused by a medical condition or nutrient deficiency
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Vertigo
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Tachycardia
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Depersonalization/dissociation
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Imposter feeling
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Nausea
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Disorientation
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Fatigue
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Insomnia
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Increase or decrease in heart rate
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Mild shaking
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Adrenaline increase
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Tense muscles
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Change in blood pressure
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Lowered immunity
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Digestive problems - all of them!
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It's important to note that while anxiety can cause physical symptoms, it's always a good idea to consult with your doctor or nurse practitioner to rule out any underlying medical conditions. It's also recommended to have an annual check-up with blood work done to discuss any concerns you may have regarding your symptoms.
Emotional symptoms
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Racing thoughts or intrusive thoughts
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Sadness, and overwhelm,
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Dread
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Restlessness or to much energy
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Fears of the future and the known
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Shame
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Confusion
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Yelling
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Shouting
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Short tempter
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Terror
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Numb
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Fear
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Anger
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Hate
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Helplessness
Common habits we cope with anxiety
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Perfectionism
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Worst case scenarios
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Isolating or patterns of avoidance
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Crying
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Shallow breathing
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Monotone voice
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Fast speaking
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Low motivation
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Slow thinking due to anxiety
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All-or-nothing thinking
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Self-shaming - the "shoulds"
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Focusing on the "what ifs"
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Self-criticizing and quick to criticize or judge others
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Numbing out to TV, food and substances.
Why I use holistic methods
A holistic perspective emphasizes various techniques that can help calm your body and promote overall wellness. These techniques can include emotional freedom technique, yoga movements, gentle stretching, exercises or movement, breathwork, neuropsychology techniques, nutrition, gut microbiome regime, sleep, and energy techniques. Although I am not a massage therapist, I do recommend them for added wellness benefits.
When your body is tense, your thoughts and emotions can also become tense. Therefore, a holistic approach to wellness also involves addressing the mind and emotions. This can include using self-compassionate practices, meditation, mindfulness, and understanding how your thought patterns and automatic stories impact your mental health. By reexamining these stories and becoming consciously aware of them, you can begin to rewrite a different story about yourself and promote overall wellness.
The stories we tell ourselves
A crucial component of healing is the ability to cultivate a new narrative around your self-identity. Through our therapeutic work together, we will delve into an existential exploration of your experiences and patterns, allowing you to find more compassion for yourself. The counseling process is a journey of self-discovery, self-forgiveness, and gaining new insights into your personal understanding of yourself. Ultimately, you hold the answers and solutions within yourself. Through thought-provoking conversations and intuitive questioning, my goal as your therapist is to remind you to tap into your inner voice and wisdom.