Atara Parkinson MA, LMFT, CIMHP

Do you keep feeling like you’re doing the “right” things but are just spinning your wheels with nothing really to show for it? Still tired. Still passionless. Still burnt out. Do you ever think, “Why can’t I get it together?” or, “I’m doing everything I’m supposed to, but I feel worse!” Somewhere in there, you know your body KNOWS it’s missing something…your body is right. The question is, are you READY to listen? If you answered yes, I'd love to partner with you to reconnect with yourself.

I absolutely love working with pregnant and postpartum mamas. After my own experience with postpartum anxiety and experience in the NICU, I have a special place in my heart for this population. As a culture, we do not do mothers or the family unit justice in our lack of protection around the postpartum period. I see my role as a support to mamas during this time, walking with them in the struggles or preparing for the transition into motherhood. It is a big journey from maiden to mother!

I've seen anxiety be so intense and crippling for clients. I love empowering clients with tools to quiet anxiety's blaring voice and to watch client's take their power back. Anxiety is a warning message from the body. Sometimes however, the body gets stuck in "danger mode" and keeps sending that message even when it isn't helpful. Together we will: learn to interpret the messages, decipher which one's are relevant, and finally support the body to only send messages when needed.

The brain and the body are not separate; this is the foundation of somatic therapy. Somatic therapy incorporates the body to release tension and trauma being held. If you use busyness as a shield, somatic therapy would be a game changer for you. If rest feels impossible because you tie your worth to productivity, come find rest. If you've become an expert at ignoring your body's cue, come reconnect before burnout sets in. It's normal to feel fear at the thought of slowing down; we got this.

What if wellness didn’t have to feel like a battle but effortless? Easy, attainable, enjoyable. That’s our goal here. You can feel empowered, confident and connected to your health. No more rollercoasters of mood and energy. You can feel mental clarity throughout the day that allows you to accomplish goals you are passionate about. You can listen to your body’s needs and listen with care, not criticism. You’ll say “I’ve got this! I know what works for my body because I can FEEL a difference.”

Brainspotting is a method of therapy that utilizes the field of vision and eye fixation. Brainspotting reveals, disrupts and releases negative thoughts and traumas and helps them shift. In traditional talk therapy, we utilize our neocortex. Brainspotting helps us access our subcortical brain where trauma is typically stored. Trauma gets stored in fixed and isolated neural networks but a process like brainspotting supports neural plasticity to create new pathways and encourage new beliefs.