Psychotherapy

I use an individualized approach to psychotherapy, tailoring my approach based on the specific goals and strengths of the client. I am skilled in a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches, drawing from somatic psychotherapy and body-focused, cognitive behavioral, experiential, mindfulness, and expressive approaches. Those include: Eye Movement, Desensitization, and Reprocessing Psychotherapy (EMDR), Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Somatic Experiencing (SE), biofeedback, acoustic vagal nerve stimulation, and therapeutic play, amongst others.

I'm experienced in helping with a variety of issues, such as:

trauma
anxiety
depression
burnout
abuse
adjustment
attachment
relational
boundaries
anger
body image
coping
grief and loss
disaster/tragedy
dissociation
impulse control
mood disorders
obsessions and compulsions
personal growth and transitions
self-esteem
stress
women's issues
children’s and parenting issues
pre and post birth trauma

Clinical Auditory Therapy Protocols

I am a facilitator of auditory interventions for reducing stress and balancing the nervous system. Specifically, I use the evidenced-based Safe and Sound Protocols and the Rest and Restore Protocol, acoustic vagal nerve stimulators developed by Unyte and Stephen Porges and based on his polyvagal research.

Safe and Sound Protocol- The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the autonomic nervous system and is our control center. It is taking cues from our environment and regulating our physiology. These physiological states include: Parasympathetic / Ventral Vagal state- our centered “true self” state, where all social interaction, connection and cognition occurs. Sympathetic state- feeling of threat, and feeling the need to either “fight” or “flee” to find safety in our environment or within ourselves. Dorsal Vagal state- our “freeze” state, when we feel threatened and become immobilized. The Safe and Sound Protocol is a brief and effective treatment for engaging the vagus nerve. This protocol will help to bring you back into connection with yourself, with the social engagement system (sensory, motor, and various areas of body) and safety within yourself.

Those with any of the following concerns may see benefit from this protocol:

Stressors that impact social engagement
Anxiety and trauma-related challenges
Difficulties in regulating physiological and emotional state
Chronic pain and fatigue
Depression
Difficulty sleeping
Gut issues
Low resilience
Social and emotional difficulties
Auditory and other sensory sensitivities
Auditory processing difficulties
Inattention
Reactivity

Rest and Restore Protocol- This protocol uses the newest technology and is informed by decades of research studying physiological rhythms in the body, including heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and in the gut, alongside knowledge of advanced sound technology. This scientifically engineered acoustic signal and music support deep relaxation and optimal recovery. Research and initial studies indicated that this protocol improves challenges related to :

Anxiety
Gastrointestinal and gut function issues
Trauma symptoms
Autonomic nervous system deregulation
Insomnia
Low mood and depression
Inability to feel at ease, calm, and relaxed
Lack of access to feelings and feeling frozen or shutdown

In the pilot study of RRP 93% of participants experienced a significant decrease in clinical symptoms of anxiety, 88% experienced decrease in trauma symptoms (with 72% moving from a clinical level to a non-clinical level), 82% percent experienced decrease in mood and depression related symptoms, and 76% experienced improvement in insomnia symptoms. The majority of clients reported improvement in all areas of measure.

It is important to commit to the full length of these treatments. Some individuals choose to continue to work together as they continue with a maintenance or repeat protocol. Participants must commit to communicating with therapist throughout the duration of the protocol. Everybody’s needs will be different and the length of time it takes to complete the protocol will be unique to each individual. Your home practice will consist of listening to a specific set of songs for an agreed upon amount of time. Length and frequency of sessions and the protocol can also be modified upon assessment, as needed. This protocol will be used in conjunction with somatic therapy practices. The protocol is not a stand-alone treatment and a plan for ongoing regulation will need to be put in place. We will work on this plan together, as needed.

Additionally, you will need to have your own pair of headphones that cover your ears (as opposed to ear buds). They must not be noise cancelling headphones. You will be downloading the protocol onto your mobile device and will listen to the music from there.

Groups

Nervous System Regulation Auditory Protocol Group

Are you looking for maximum impact on your nervous system with just minutes of time investment each week from the comfort of your own home? This is the program for you.

In this online group we will access clinical grade auditory/listening therapy protocols developed by Stephen Porges- the founder of Polyvagal theory. These protocols use frequency and vibration to engage a system of muscles and nerves that support social engagement and nervous system regulation, stimulating the vagus nerve. These protocols can only be provided and led by a licensed clinical health professional. As a group we will access the below protocols.

Safe and Sound Protocols - Those with any of the following concerns may see benefit from these protocols:

Stressors that impact social engagement
Anxiety and trauma-related challenges
Difficulties in regulating physiological and emotional state
Chronic pain and fatigue
Depression and low mood
Difficulty sleeping
Gastrointestinal and gut function issues
Low resilience
Social and emotional difficulties
Auditory and other sensory sensitivities
Auditory and cognitive processing difficulties
Inattention
Reactivity

We will also have access to the brand new Rest and Restore Protocol- this protocol uses the newest technology and is informed by decades of research studying physiological rhythms in the body, including heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and in the gut, alongside knowledge of advanced sound technology. This scientifically engineered acoustic signal and music support deep relaxation and optimal recovery. Research and initial studies indicated that this protocol improves challenges related to :

Anxiety
Gastrointestinal and gut function issues
Trauma symptoms
Autonomic nervous system deregulation
Insomnia
Low mood and depression
Inability to feel at ease, calm, and relaxed
Lack of access to feelings and feeling frozen or shutdown

EMDR Intensives

I provide Eye Movement, Desensitization, and Reprocessing (EMDR) intensives for those who are hoping to accelerate their progress. These are ideal for those who want to make quicker progress and to have uninterrupted processing with specific goals in mind.

Intensives may offer you the following benefits:

the convenience of scheduling during a specific time frame, rather than working sessions into the schedule on a weekly basis
accelerated progress when you need to make headway with a specific problem in order to get back to other priorities in life or in your wellness journey
fewer distractions in between sessions
more opportunity for preparation and resourcing
less transition in and out of processing, making best use of time, and allowing for focus on specific goals
the ability to continue to continue work with a current therapist or provider with minimal disruption in treatment plan with current provider.

We will meet together for an extended session or sessions, after an initial assessment session. Typically intensives will last for 4 hours each, with breaks included. I’m always happy to explore the option of EMDR intensives. I am also happy to collaborate with other therapists and providers.

Consulting, advising, and coaching

I consult with professionals, entrepreneurs, helpers, healers, and mental health advocates. I have worked as a director, consultant, mentor, and trainer for mental health professionals all over the United States and internationally, especially within the world of online mental health. I also have experience working within the startup and nonprofit worlds focusing on sales, marketing, and clinical practices.

Contact me to schedule EMDR consults required for either basic training or certification.

Clinical Supervision

As a psychotherapist licensed in the state of Oklahoma as a clinical supervisor (LPC-S) and in Colorado as an LPC approved for supervision, I also provide clinical supervision to those whom are LPC licensure candidates, for those who are completing professional counseling internships, and for those who are seeking ongoing consultation or supervision. Contact me to set up an initial consultation.

Education

As a Certified Compassion Fatigue Educator I provide education, support, and consultation to those who are in the helping professions. Continuing Education credits may be available.

I am also an instructor of Developmental Psychology at the college level, an institute approved assistant trainer and session provider for Somatic Experiencing International, and an EMDR International Association approved EMDR Consultant.

PRivacy and your rights

Privacy Practices

I. MY PLEDGE REGARDING HEALTH INFORMATION:

I understand that health information about you and your health care is personal. I am committed to protecting health information about you. I create a record of the care and services you receive from me. I need this record to provide you with quality care and to comply with certain legal requirements. This notice applies to all of the records of your care generated by this mental health care practice. This notice will tell you about the ways in which I may use and disclose health information about you. I also describe your rights to the health information I keep about you, and describe certain obligations I have regarding the use and disclosure of your health information. I am required by law to:

Make sure that protected health information (“PHI”) that identifies you is kept private.
Give you this notice of my legal duties and privacy practices with respect to health information.
Follow the terms of the notice that is currently in effect.
I can change the terms of this Notice, and such changes will apply to all information I have about you. The new Notice will be available upon request, in my office, and on my website.

II. HOW I MAY USE AND DISCLOSE HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU:

The following categories describe different ways that I use and disclose health information. For each category of uses or disclosures I will explain what I mean and try to give some examples. Not every use or disclosure in a category will be listed. However, all of the ways I am permitted to use and disclose information will fall within one of the categories.

For Treatment Payment, or Health Care Operations: Federal privacy rules (regulations) allow health care providers who have direct treatment relationship with the patient/client to use or disclose the patient/client’s personal health information without the patient’s written authorization, to carry out the health care provider’s own treatment, payment or health care operations. I may also disclose your protected health information for the treatment activities of any health care provider. This too can be done without your written authorization. For example, if a clinician were to consult with another licensed health care provider about your condition, we would be permitted to use and disclose your personal health information, which is otherwise confidential, in order to assist the clinician in diagnosis and treatment of your mental health condition.

Disclosures for treatment purposes are not limited to the minimum necessary standard. Because therapists and other health care providers need access to the full record and/or full and complete information in order to provide quality care. The word “treatment” includes, among other things, the coordination and management of health care providers with a third party, consultations between health care providers and referrals of a patient for health care from one health care provider to another.

Lawsuits and Disputes: If you are involved in a lawsuit, I may disclose health information in response to a court or administrative order. I may also disclose health information about your child in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process by someone else involved in the dispute, but only if efforts have been made to tell you about the request or to obtain an order protecting the information requested.

III. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION:

Psychotherapy Notes. I do keep “psychotherapy notes” as that term is defined in 45 CFR § 164.501, and any use or disclosure of such notes requires your Authorization unless the use or disclosure is:
- For my use in treating you.
- For my use in training or supervising mental health practitioners to help them improve their skills in group, joint, family, or individual counseling or therapy.
- For my use in defending myself in legal proceedings instituted by you.
- For use by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to investigate my compliance with HIPAA.
- Required by law and the use or disclosure is limited to the requirements of such law.
- Required by law for certain health oversight activities pertaining to the originator of the psychotherapy notes.
- Required by a coroner who is performing duties authorized by law.
- Required to help avert a serious threat to the health and safety of others.
Marketing Purposes. As a psychotherapist, I will not use or disclose your PHI for marketing purposes.
Sale of PHI. As a psychotherapist, I will not sell your PHI in the regular course of my business.

IV. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES DO NOT REQUIRE YOUR AUTHORIZATION:

Subject to certain limitations in the law, I can use and disclose your PHI without your Authorization for the following reasons:

When disclosure is required by state or federal law, and the use or disclosure complies with and is limited to the relevant requirements of such law.
For public health activities, including reporting suspected child, elder, or dependent adult abuse, or preventing or reducing a serious threat to anyone’s health or safety.
For health oversight activities, including audits and investigations.
For judicial and administrative proceedings, including responding to a court or administrative order, although my preference is to obtain an Authorization from you before doing so.
For law enforcement purposes, including reporting crimes occurring on my premises.
To coroners or medical examiners, when such individuals are performing duties authorized by law.
For research purposes, including studying and comparing the mental health of patients who received one form of therapy versus those who received another form of therapy for the same condition.
Specialized government functions, including ensuring the proper execution of military missions; protecting the President of the United States; conducting intelligence or counter-intelligence operations; or helping to ensure the safety of those working within or housed in correctional institutions.
For workers’ compensation purposes. Although my preference is to obtain an Authorization from you, I may provide your PHI in order to comply with workers’ compensation laws.
Appointment reminders and health related benefits or services. I may use and disclose your PHI to contact you to remind you that you have an appointment with me. I may also use and disclose your PHI to tell you about treatment alternatives, or other health care services or benefits that I offer.

V. CERTAIN USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBJECT:

Disclosures to family, friends, or others. I may provide your PHI to a family member, friend, or other person that you indicate is involved in your care or the payment for your health care, unless you object in whole or in part. The opportunity to consent may be obtained retroactively in emergency situations.

VI. YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO YOUR PHI:

The Right to Request Limits on Uses and Disclosures of Your PHI. You have the right to ask me not to use or disclose certain PHI for treatment, payment, or health care operations purposes. I am not required to agree to your request, and I may say “no” if I believe it would affect your health care.
The Right to Request Restrictions for Out-of-Pocket Expenses Paid for In Full. You have the right to request restrictions on disclosures of your PHI to health plans for payment or health care operations purposes if the PHI pertains solely to a health care item or a health care service that you have paid for out-of-pocket in full.
The Right to Choose How I Send PHI to You. You have the right to ask me to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone), or to send mail to a different address, and I will agree to all reasonable requests.
The Right to See and Get Copies of Your PHI. Other than “psychotherapy notes,” you have the right to get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other information that I have about you. I will provide you with a copy of your record, or a summary of it, if you agree to receive a summary, within 30 days of receiving your written request, and I may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for doing so.
The Right to Get a List of the Disclosures I Have Made. You have the right to request a list of instances in which I have disclosed your PHI for purposes other than treatment, payment, or health care operations, or for which you provided me with an Authorization. I will respond to your request for an accounting of disclosures within 60 days of receiving your request. The list I will give you will include disclosures made in the last six years unless you request a shorter time. I will provide the list to you at no charge, but if you make more than one request in the same year, I will charge you a reasonable cost-based fee for each additional request.
The Right to Correct or Update Your PHI. If you believe that there is a mistake in your PHI, or that a piece of important information is missing from your PHI, you have the right to request that I correct the existing information or add the missing information. I may say “no” to your request, but I will tell you why in writing within 60 days of receiving your request.
The Right to Get a Paper or Electronic Copy of this Notice. You have the right get a paper copy of this Notice, and you have the right to get a copy of this notice by e-mail. And, even if you have agreed to receive this Notice via e-mail, you also have the right to request a paper copy of it.

Invisible Conditions

Note for Utah clients: You have a right to documentation regarding any diagnosis that is considered an invisible condition per Utah Code 58-1-604. I will complete the invisible condition request form for your ID/Drivers License upon your written request. More information regarding this program can be found at https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title53/Chapter3/53-3-S207.html

Good Faith Estimate

You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees. Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises