My Approaches
Somatic Psychotherapy
Our bodies are with us for our whole lives. Every experience, every conversation, every movement and every environment leaves its impressions on us physically. Millions of processes take place automatically: our brains record patterns and send messages to our heart and lungs, adrenaline flows, muscles tense or relax, sometimes all beneath our conscious awareness. Suddenly we feel overwhelmed, fearful, angry, numb and we may not know why. While, historically, therapy has centered around talking and coming to some sort of mental understanding of our story, somatic therapy recognizes that healing from trauma involves recognizing the body in the present moment. We must find a way to let the body know the trauma is in the past.
What does this look like in session? Together, we may reflect on a gesture that goes with a specific story, or a change in your voice as an emotion comes through. It could involve sustained mindful exploration of sensations, changes in temperature or heart rate, or images that come to mind when changing posture. Over time, we better understand how your specific nervous system has learned to survive trauma, and ways it may still be spinning its wheels even in moments of safety. From there, it’s a little easier to get back in the driver’s seat and have more choice in the ways we respond to life.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
One of the modalities that informs my work as a somatic therapist is Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP). Developed by Pat Ogden as an offshoot of Hakomi, SP values an holistic approach and recognizes that each person holds their own innate ability to heal. I completed my training in Level 1: Trauma Themes in February 2022.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Originally developed as an anesthetic, ketamine is now recognized for its remarkable potential in treating mental health concerns in a therapeutic setting. Even at low doses, ketamine can effectively alleviate symptoms of trauma, depression, and anxiety by promoting neuroplasticity. Many patients also find meaning in the psychedelic experience it can offer.
By taking ketamine orally, clients can gradually acclimate to its effects before deciding if they’d like to go deeper. However, plenty of powerful work can be done at lower ‘psycholytic’ doses. Each lozenge dissolves in about 15 minutes, with effects typically felt within that timeframe, and lasting for about another 20 minutes. Ketamine-assisted therapy sessions generally last 3-4 hours and blend quiet introspection with light discussion to enhance integration.
While many have experienced profound effects from ketamine and other psychedelics, it’s important to remember that they are not a quick and easy magical cure-all. Long term healing comes from regular self-reflection and dedicated changes to our thinking and our lifestyle, and ketamine can be used like a stepping stool to take us farther. For this reason, maintaining regular therapy sessions before and after using ketamine is highly encouraged.
To better support clients, I’ve completed Polaris Insight Center’s cohort training on Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy and am currently on track to receive their Certificate.
I offer sessions out of my office on Sundays and have openings for new clients.
Read more about Ketamine
Contact me.
Feel free to reach out over phone or email for a free phone consultation. I check my messages regularly, although I may take up to 48 hours to respond.
I offer telehealth for anyone based in California and can meet in-person in my Oakland office on Wednesdays.