Connection: our deepest longing and our greatest fear.
The fear often tells us to remain in isolation…it’s safer.
Fear is simply a survival strategy.
Treating Complex Trauma / CPTSD
So often, we grow up with what we thought was “normal”, and as adults, we realize that it was anything but normal. We see how others relate, connect, communicate, trust, emotionationally regulate, are vulnerable, and we recognize that those things do not come innately. Whatever your experience was that caused you to adapt to the person or environment so you could feel safer, created survival strategies. Those served you and helped you feel more safe. That is complex trauma.
Now, those strategies probably get in the way of having healthy relationships, vulnerability, and emotional intimacy.
A lot of things can contribute to CPTSD. CPTSD is the syndrome that follows after prolonged, repeated trauma; attachment, relational, developmental, cultural & intergenerational trauma. This can include developmental trauma (adverse childhood experiences), environmental trauma, attachment disruption, shock trauma, abuse, loss, neglect, and systemic failures (i.e. cultural oppression, violence, war, famine, economic stress). It is very common. Approximately 8% of individuals experiences symptoms, reportedly.
What is it that you most want for yourself?
Let’s explore what is getting in the way of you having what you want and deserve in your life!!
NARM (Neuro-Affective Relational Model) for treating trauma
NARM is a cutting-edge model for addressing various aspects of trauma, including attachment, relational and developmental trauma, by working with the attachment patterns that cause life-long psychobiological symptoms and interpersonal difficulties.
These early, unconscious patterns of disconnection deeply affect our sense of self, emotions, physiology, behavior and relationships. Working with these diverse patterns is a relavant approach that has profound clinical implications for treating and healing complex trauma.
Experience it.
The NARM model is a mindfulness-based clinical treatment, as its’ method is grounded in a phenomenological approach to addressing identity and consciousness of self – who we truly are beneath these patterned ways of relating to ourselves and the world. Seen in this way, healing complex trauma is a vehicle for transformation on a personal and collective level.
NARM is only one approach. We also address the concerns and goals with the integration of other modalities (i.e. CBT, EFT, Gestalt, Spirituality/Faith, etc.).
Recover with it.
These early, unconscious patterns of disconnection deeply affect our identity, emotions, physiology, behavior and relationships. Learning how to work simultaneously with these diverse elements is a radical shift that has profound clinical implications for healing complex trauma.
“We cannot change or heal what we do not acknowledge.”
Therapy is a safe space to say the things out loud. Verbalizing reduces the paralyzing emotions around those issues, disempowers shame, and validates the experience. Healing comes from the process of letting go of what does not serve us, and freedom occurs in embodying the authentic self.
EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) for Couples
According to research outlining the effectiveness of this treatment model, EFT is now considered one of the most (if not the most) empirically validated forms of couples therapy.
Research studies have found that 70-75% of couples undergoing EFT successfully move from distress to recovery, and approximately 90% show significant improvements. This recovery is also quite stable and lasting, with little evidence of relapse back into distress.
EFT provides a language for healthy dependency between partners and looks at key moves and moments that define an adult love relationship. The primary goal of the model is to expand and re-organize the emotional responses of the couple.
New sequences of bonding interactions occur and replace old, negative patterns.These new, positive cycles then become self-reinforcing and create permanent change. The relationship becomes a haven and a healing environment for both partners.
Coaching and Individual Therapy
Coaching and Individual Therapy encompasses so many things that is difficult to define. It deserves some articulation. It is goal-oriented, motivating, inspiring. It helps lead you to your more passionate and creative self, uncluttered by life’s demands in and of themselves. It derives joy. Organization. Peace. Your ‘better self’. Attunement. Clarity. Insight. Growth. Sass. Purpose. Feeling alive. Empowerment. Breath.
Transforming mental healthcare.
For long enough, our culture has allowed sub-standard mental healthcare, tolerated a stigma around seeking help, and sanctioned limited treatment options. As a mental health provider, I have seen a positive shift over the last five years. Professionally, I have amped up my education and focused on my areas of expertise to improve my therapeutic skills, enhance my therapy modalities, and sharpen the tools in the toolbox! I enjoy helping clients reconnect with themselves, find purpose, recenter, and further heal. Together, we will impact and transform mental health as we have known it.
Providing you with a safe space to relax
When meeting together in person, your appointments will take place in our soothing office environment with fully private rooms, complimentary coffee, tea and water, and individualized care.
In-person and remote options
Our office is conveniently located in Overland Park, Kansas. Can’t make it into the office? No worries – we’ve got you covered with Telehealth.
ABOUT ME
I am a Master’s Level, Nationally Board Certified, and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who provides quality mental health care. As a mental health practitioner, I provide individual and couple’s therapy, as well as coaching. I work with issues such as trauma, depression, anxiety, infidelity, relational or sexual abuse, grief, faith dilemma’s, and chronic pain. I am a Christian, and provide Spiritual insight when desired. I am passionate about dispensing grace in the midst of shame, and helping other’s embrace their worth to further their healing. Let me connect with you and assist in meeting your needs. I am happy to meet with you via Telehealth or in-person.
Services/Pricing
Individual Therapy
The first session is $225, and subsequent sessions are $200. All therapy sessions are 50 minutes in length.
Couples Therapy
Couple’s sessions are available in 50 or 90 minutes in length. The 50 min. is priced as above. For 90 min., the first session is $290, and subsequent sessions are $265.
Coaching
The first session is $225, and subsequent sessions are $200. These sessions are 50 minutes in duration.
FAQs
What kinds of things do people seek help for?
People seek help for various reasons, including feeling unhappy, unfulfilled, anxious, sad, or upset. People seek help with relationships, loneliness, abuse, trauma, abandonment, betrayal, and infidelity. They also seek help to change behaviors that are problematic or that affects their relationships at home or at work. Others seek counseling simply due to not being able to reach specific goals on their own. Sometimes it’s due to situational difficultities or a decision and they desire a safe place to sort through their feelings and move forward with intention and clear thinking.
How frequently will we meet?
When starting therapy, it is always best practice to have consistent, weekly appointments. It is important to gain momentum with your goals, gain a therapeutic rapport, and establish healthy (coping) skills for deeper work and further growth. At a mutually desirable point, it is beneficial to reduce visits to biweekly, and later monthly, until all your goals are realized and you no longer feel it helpful to have the support.
What can I expect at the first session?
You can expect to discuss the concern(s) that led you to seek out counseling. We will talk about what you want from our sessions, and how those goals will impact you. We may discuss your background and personal history. There may be clarifying discussion around your completed paperwork. Any sharing you do will be at your level of comfort and felt safety.
Are you a Christian Counselor?
I am a Christian. I practice from a framework that allows for the presence of God to be in the room and to work within each person, while seeking to promote justice, healing, and grace as ways of being in the world. Spirituality is deeply important to us as human beings and is the source of meaning, purpose, and healing in our lives. Human beings are so much more than simply their beliefs, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. As a Therapist, I also recognize that many people have been deeply hurt through the practices of organized religion and disappointing experiences in their life. Struggling with one’s Spiritual beliefs is a normal part of being, being human, and being vulnerable. Often, we want connection and healing to occur Spiritually, but have not yet moved out of the hurt, shame, and pain that has come to shape us. It makes no difference of how you identify, spiritually — your are welcome here.
What does LCPC stand for?
LCPC are the initials to indicate that I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. This means that I have a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling and have completed the necessary requirements to be fully licensed in the State of Kansas (as well as Missouri). I received this degree at MidAmerica Nazarene University. I am NCC, Nationally board Certified Counselor and am in good standing with the NCC.
What is the distinction between Coaching and Counseling?
Coaching is prospective. The client comes in whole and ready for change. Goal-oriented, co-created. Short-term. Not diagnostic. It is clarifying for the client. Change is self-developed and sought for higher growth/evolvement.
Counseling is retrospective. The client has a decreased level of individual functioning. Is “why” oriented. Long-term, though this varies. Diagnostic. Healing desired for maladaptive behaviors. Recovery from past trauma(s). Relief from psychological suffering. Emotion regulation. Stability of self and/or relationship. Exporation of cognitive and psychological impact on well being.
Contact me
10985 Cody St. Ste. 105 Overland Park, KS 66210
913-815-0522
