About

Experiencing mental health symptoms does not mean you are broken, weak or “something is wrong with me’. Often times, we start seeing mental health symptoms after enduring a timeframe and intensity of chronic stress. Whether the stress is from our environment and/or experiences mental health symptoms usually appear when your coping skills are exhausted from surviving at that level of stress.
In childhood we start the formation of sense of safety and learn how to engage and attach in relationships. We learn if we are safe being ‘me’, learn ‘can I trust others” and learn key elements of engaging in relationships like getting our needs met.
Feeling safe in our skin is integral in having a balanced and fulfilling life. Feeling safe in our skin helps us...
•launch and embrace new opportunities
•engage and maintain healthy relationships by learning about your attachment style
•set healthy boundaries without hurting yourself and/or others
•strengthen self-esteem (Yes, it’s possible to like yourself)
•manage and overcome disappointment and fears
•strengthen resilience
•strengthen impulse control which often leads us to unhealthy coping skills
•increase support system and so much more!
Feeling safe in our skin allows our brain to learn, focus, concentrate, make balanced decisions reflecting on both emotional and reasonable sides of us, increases motivation to take of ourselves and our bodies and allows us to sleep regularly.
Many of my clients were not provided the background from childhood to develop a sense of safety. Without a sense of safety, our ability to trust others may be impaired, as well as, warping the lens of how we see ourselves, others and the world. Trauma, in childhood or as an adult, can play a significant role in how we form our lens and oftentimes, trauma can severe the connection between body, mind and emotions living us feeling disorganized, distracted and limit our awareness at the conscious level.
I am a trauma-focused, attachment based therapist. This means we, together, will look at various factors, relationships, education, experiences, etc., in your life that may be impacting your ability to feel safe in your own skin today. Treatment plan often includes learning to unite the body, brain and emotions while incorporating skills like validation (maybe the first time in your life), acceptance, incorporating the relationship of a Higher Power and strengthening your already formed life skills and tools. I don’t have a magic wand and it may not be an ‘easy fix’ but when you are ready...let's do this.