Education and Expertise

 

BA in Cultural Anthropology, Honors (University of Michigan, 1991);
MA in Counseling Psychology (California Institute of Integral Studies, 1994);
PhD in Contemporary Spirituality (Union Institute and University, 2002)

Areas of Specialization

Psychotherapy on the Spiritual Path: I love to work with spiritual practitioners who recognize that spiritual work alone does not address many of our deepest psychological knots and traumas, nor does it provide tools to address our wounds in relationship that block us from fulfilling our deepest longings, dreams, and spiritual possibilities. I believe psychotherapeutic work is a useful, and perhaps necessary, support on the spiritual path.

Somatic Psychotherapy: I am certified (SEP) in Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing approach as well as additional training in somatics. My extensive background in yoga has been highly complementary to the somatic approaches I have learned. I am the founder of Yoga & Psyche™, a technique I developed to teach yoga students and teachers how to use yoga practice to work with the psychological content that is unique to the Western psyche, and to process trauma that resides in the body; and teaches psychotherapy clients how to benefit from the insights of yoga.

Self-Psychology and Gestalt: My graduate degree training focused on Self-Psychology and Gestalt, both of which I continue to actively engage with clients. I am interested in, and comfortable with, using the therapeutic relationship to gain information about clients and as a means to explore and work through relational issues. I have also found that the dynamic processes offered by Gestalt are an effective means of creating discernments in the psyche for the deeper purpose of integration.

Couples Therapy: I appreciate the aliveness, demand, and intensity of couples work, and have extensive experience working with couples struggling with a range of challenges, including but not limited to: communication, sexuality, alienation in relationship, challenges couples face on the spiritual path, boundaries, time and money, and parenting.

Yoga & Psyche Integrated Therapy: Learn to use your yoga practice to work with psychological issues that arise in the body. Based on the Yoga & Psyche method, yoga teachers and practitioners are guided and supported in exploring psychological material and trauma through individualized yoga practice that supports individuals to heal their unique wounds, and cultivate and nourish their strengths and gifts. Sessions are conducted in my home yoga studio

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Although the focus of my practice is psychological support on the spiritual path, I recognize that there is really not anything that is not spiritual, so I am happy to work with clients who do not identify with spirituality, but who are struggling with run-of-the mill relationship issues, anxiety, depression, healing crises, and all the other gritty challenges that make us human.