I’m a parent and am curious about this creative and somatic approach, but how is it supportive for what I’m struggling with on a day-to-day basis?

Parenthood is a wild, challenging, expansive experience, no matter how you come into it and how ‘prepared’ you think you are. There can be very real mental health challenges in this time that can alter your ability to show up for yourself and your family, and I tend to those with respect and attunement while holding the systemic and cultural factors in clear view. The therapeutic and community spaces I facilitate hold the perspective that you are a whole, creative, adaptable, learning, expressive, richly complex person who deserves a dedicates space to expand to your full nature. Somatic and creative work directly puts you back into relationship with that full self, and explores who you are becoming with a sense of capacity, possibility, and power. From the practical side of parenting, to transforming the disembodiment of the transition into parenthood, to mapping your family values and future, this work is for you if you're reading this. 

Why don’t you take insurance?

I know, right!? There are several reasons for this. A primary one is that I value the people I work with and strive to create an authentic relationship with each and their needs, which is often interrupted (in my experience) by the necessity of medicalizing/pathologizing/clinicalizing their therapeutic process for the sake of documenting to the standards of insurance companies. Additionally, since I’ve chosen to work part-time in my private practice, it’s taking me longer to complete my hours towards full licensure (I’m on year 4, nearly there), when therapists are able to be on insurance panels. I chose and continue to choose to divest from grind-culture-- especially as a parent-- and sacrifice my wellbeing for the sake of ‘serving’ more people. That isn’t equity, and certainly isn’t fair to my clients or family. I completely understand that insurance can be helpful, even life-saving, for those needing medical or mental health care. I also know that we show up for us more than any insurance entity, which is why I focus on group-oriented support, which is also more affordable, sustainable, and connective. 

What if I’m not an ‘artist’?

I know that feeling... and I'll never push you past your edge or expect you to 'perform' any kind of artistic skill. But I will invite you to notice that you are absolutely and magically creative, despite whatever lack of experience or perceived inability. Embodied expressive arts is about process, intuition, leaning into trust. Any invitation I offer for a creative process is always only an invitation and is always welcome (and encouraged) to be adapted through your own ideas, inspiration, and needs. Some people really resonate with drawing or visual processes, while others really thrive in the space of movement, writing, or imaginal world-building and metaphor. There is space for all kinds of thinkers, feelers, movers, and makers here. 

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Your groups sound interesting but it’s so hard to actually feel like groups are worth my time and energy…what’s different about the spaces you hold?

There is nothing more disappointing than having to arrange for childcare to go to a group and then brace for your turn to speak as everyone sits nervously in a circle on uncomfortable chairs and talks about “what’s wrong”. 

Breathe out, this is different.

In any of my groups, whether workshop or support container, I center relationship and resourcing first. Nobody gets points for sitting still and listening well. Bodies are welcomed to be comfortable, adapt as needed, move, feed themselves, make noise. Embodied connection and attunement are more important than sharing or linear focus, so I invite practices to directly put you in touch with who and how you are in the moment rather than telling you how you should show up. I leave time for integration and often offer invitations to practices, resources, and creative prompts to allow you to continue to feel engaged beyond the group container while taking some of the felt experience of the group with you.