I have been working in outpatient mental health professionally since 1998, in spaces where my methods and educational background can offer an approach that uses practical interventions rooted in traditional and somatic therapy. Traditional therapy practices leverage the best of one-on-one talk therapy exchanges, while somatic therapy marries the relationship of mind-body connection to a psychological past. My bicoastal education happened at Westmont College and Columbia University, making me a beach-loving urban soul.

 

I have watched these modalities pave the way for total mind-body recovery, allowing for muscle memory to be reset and far less easily triggered by stress- inducing events. Research says that somatic therapy is done most effectively when a person feels safe, seen and strengthened.

 

With that in mind, the goal is to cultivate a safe & comforting feeling in the process that storylines and situations that might have caused grave overwhelm are more quickly organized, named, processed, and released. Creating environments where clients are able to quickly identify their feelings allows the knowing required to ultimately create a plan for healing. This grants access to your left brain, which expedites calming the anxiety and creating control over your parasympathetic responses. I love the brain because of its plasticity and ability to heal when given the right neuro-parasympathetic help. Recovery is complex because our stories are beautifully complex, but when there is comprehensive care for the nervous system, the story, and the individual, trauma recovery doesn’t have to be scary or draining.

 

Using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Meridian Tapping, mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation, extension movements and multi sensory visualization engages the “calm body” so that the “trauma body” does not continually control your choices. Brainspotting (BSP) is used to dive into the trauma memories so we can activate the “calm body responses” to the triggering events, resulting in a total body release of stored anxiety. Everyday dignity practices like self assessments, journal prompts, and verbalization of strengthening messages are used maintain and protect your growth. I adore that I can do this work and want to provide tangible methods to re-establish the extraordinary, uniquely gifted core self that you were created to be.

 

SPEAKING

 

I have been honored by the opportunity to connect internationally with a variety of audiences - young, old, single, married, coupled, parents, teachers, community leaders - in corporate, medical care, ministry, family outreach, organizational and educational settings, who believe that there is unexplored potential for living beyond our experiences and engaging in growth with others one-on-one or in a larger context.

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SPEAKING TOPICS

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• Reframing the Sexual Trauma Injury as a Battle, Not a Disorder: Defining the Difference Between PTSD and Complex PTSD

• Reframing the Sexual Trauma Survivor as a Princess Warrior and other Healing Illustrations

• 5 Ways to Listen to the PAIN Body to Cultivate the SAFE Body

• Who Sexually Violates and Why?

• Staying Woke: 3 Ways to Respond Wholeheartedly to Tough Breaks

• The Purpose of Doubt and Anger in the Recovery Process

• What Parents Need to Teach their Kids about Safe Dating with Safe People

• Living Beyond the Trauma: At Home Practical Ideas for Comfort and Resiliency

• Guidance for Parents, Spouses, Family and Faith-Based or Community Leaders to Help Those in Everyday Dignities that Assist Your or Your Loved One’s  Recovery from Sexual Trauma

• How to Prevent Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) - Using the scientifically proven & internationally recognized “Stewards of Children” program developed by Darkness 2 Light or d2l.org.

• Motivational Speaking: 3 Ways to Overcome Setbacks

• 5 Ways to Engage PTSD Growth Defined & Applied Today

• PTSD Growth--3 Heroes from History & Applications for Today

 

SPEAKING FORUMS

 

• Keynote Address

• Educational & Professional Conferences

• Parachurch Organizations and Conferences

• Leadership and Management Training

• Motivational Speaking for High School, College, Business Professionals, Leaders in Faith-Based Organizations, Women’s Events, Ministry and Justice Organizations

• Workshop Leader for Clinical Mental Health and Community, Justice and Ministry Leaders,

• Women’s Events and Education Forums

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SPEAKING VENUE SAMPLING

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• Colorado, Wings (NPO) for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse; presented for 90 minutes on the profile and psychology of those who sexually offend.

• Indiana, Keynote Address, Beaman Home (NPO), annual fundraiser for efforts to respond to domestic violence concerns in northwest Indiana, April 2014.

• Virginia, LIberty University’s Law School, invited by Boz Tchividjian, grandson of Billy Graham, former prosecuting attorney in Florida. Presented on a panel discussion regarding treatment implications for childhood sexual abuse survivors. Presented separately on the need for the legal community to engage the statistics for the validity of sexual abuse and assault crimes, April 2015.

• Colorado, Eating Disorder Center of Denver, technical Trauma Informed Care training of clinicians who work in clinical and milieu settings, March 2015.

• Colorado, Street’s Hope, (NPO) outreach and residential program for women who have been sex trafficked, technical Trauma Informed Care training of clinicians and interns who work in clinical and milieu settings, July 2016.

• Colorado, My Quiet Cave (NPO) specializes in bringing mental health to churches. MQC hosted a panel discussion for students and faculty at Denver Seminary, October 2016 and I was a presenter on the panel for trauma approaches; I also provided this same panel discussion to pastors & church leaders, February 2017.

• Colorado, My Quiet Cave hosted my two hour presentation on Church Response to Abuse: How to prevent it, detect it and respond to it, October 2017.

• Colorado, Eastern Hills Mennonite Church presenting on Church Response to Abuse, January 2017.

• El Salvador, February 2018, presented on the importance of Trauma Informed Care as it pertains to the reality of the health and resulting economic impact of trauma on human capital, especially during a person’s most productive years. This presentation was attended by legal, medical and law enforcement leaders in association with Glasswing, Sendas and Mission to El Salvador.

• El Salvador, February 2018, led a full day Trauma Informed Care technical training for caregivers, therapists and first responders in association with Glasswing, Sendas and Mission to El Salvador.

• El Salvador, February 2018, presented on the reality of secondary trauma and how it commonly devolves into Compassion Fatigue and/or Burn-Out. I provided everyday solutions to those who are most at risk serving in remote regions and international missions in association with Sendas, Mission to El Salvador and Missionsake.