Personal Change- Social Change- Planetary Change

I believe that it is crucial that we revitalize our relationship to the natural world, not only as a way to heal ourselves, but also as a way to heal our families, communities, and the planet.  I am a facilitator of change, working with you to alleviate your personal suffering, and empowering you to turn that suffering into positive action that will improve your life, the lives of others, and the state of the planet.

Inspired by the dynamism of the universe, I use an eclectic and integrative approach to help you heal your personal pain and find ways to contribute to the needed solutions of our time.  This multimodal approach includes a combination of depth psychology, somatics, ecotherapy, expressive arts, and Buddhist psychology.  I believe that each person has a self-actualizing capacity and I work with you to uncover and catalyze this natural tendency.  While I do work from a place of hope and inspiration, I am not afraid to be with your pain.  I believe that knowing the pain that is deep within each of us is the only way to gain the compassion and strength we each need to make a difference in the world.   

Some Benefits of Holistic Counseling:

Finding Your Unique Purpose: I help you create and live a life that is in alignment with your deep values and unique purpose.  I believe that it will take the work of each of us to create the world that we hope for, and I work with you to confront the obstacles that prevent you from launching your own unique contribution, while helping you to engage your passions for the good of the planet.  Using somatic and expressive arts practices, I help you to embody your essential self and make a difference in the world.  It has been shown that living in a way that is part of the solution leads to a greater satisfaction with life and increased happiness.

Overcoming Eco-Anxiety:  It is often a very anxiety provoking experience to actually acknowledge the calamities that threaten our world.  It can be extremely overwhelming to “wake-up” to the crises, and because of this, people today are experiencing what is now being called eco-anxiety.  This is anxiety that is very specific and related to the state of the world.  People often feel nervous and overwhelmed.  I work with you to face the challenges of these crises and to skillfully manage the anxiety and turn it into to positive action.  

Healing your Relationship to Food and Body: I work with you to create a conscious and spiritual relationship with the food that you eat, and help you to develop a more loving and accepting relationship with your body.  I have worked with people on food related issues for more than 15 years.  Whether you suffer from an eating disorder, or from chronic body-image issues, I will work with you to help you heal your relationship to both food and to your body.   

About Me: I have a Masters degree in Somatic Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS).  In addition to my counseling work, I also teach in the School of Undergraduate Studies at CIIS, where I employ my training in somatics, expressive arts, and ecopsychology to encourage students to engage creatively in an interdisciplinary course of studies.  I was recently published in the book, Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind.  I am also an activist engaged with many causes, including: local food and farming, climate change and voter outreach.  I regularly practice yoga and meditation.     

Formerly a high-tech project manager, I had the challenging experience of waking up to the reality of our times and the joy of changing my focus in life from climbing the corporate ladder to living on purpose as an engaged and concerned citizen.  Having personally known the power of this process, I am committed to helping others take the leap into a life of service.