Services
- Individual
- Couples
- Family
- Child
- Adolescent/Teen
- Group
What a discovery is has been to confirm what therapists long suspected, that trauma can be passed through the generations and has a biological basis for transmission. I study brain science and the Genome Project, to keep up with this rapidly developing field. There is also a passing down of trauma through codependency, as we unconsciously ask our progeny to carry our pain for us, and to honor what we identify as its source. The methods I use to support the discovery, understanding and healing of this pain include "family tree" genograms, codependency work, inner child work, narrative psychotherapy, depth psychotherapy, and trauma healing. Healing our trauma now provides a safe upbringing for future generations, in which justice and understanding are present, but not the emotional burden. It's the kind of healing that could change society.
I learned of gender identity later in life, and continue to make a concerted effort to learn about the universe of gender identity and serve as an ally. We are crafted with striking diversity, and that's cause for celebration, not separation. The progress that has been made in acknowledging and accommodating diversity has led to a harsh backlash from certain quarters, and we need to form community and march together to that new day. This is definitely an area where the clients teach me while I support them. My first question when I meet you is, "What is your current gender identity, and which are your preferred pronouns?" I have worked with transgender adolescents to embrace their identity, as well as providing family support and education. I have faced family resistance, but by drawing on their love for their family member and respecting their process, progress can me made, often more than is expected. I have thoroughly studied WPATH standards, and presented on gender identity.
I have spent 30 years in recovery, and I believe that trying times are best faced with clean living. While my background is in Alcoholics Anonymous, I study other approaches and offer a variety of proven methods, along with personal, unconditional support for your journey. We now know the scientific basis of the pleasure-pain response that sets off craving, and how to approach it. But that's only half of the journey. The other half lies in confronting and healing issues that underlie the desire to self-medicate when pain or boredom disturb us.