Teletherapy for Fair Oaks, CA

Do you have an inner critic that's leading you to question yourself and your worth? Do you feel disconnected and misunderstood by your partner? Do you feel frustrated with your kid/teenager and wish you had a better relationship? Then you are in the right place. I help women, couples and parents who are feeling disconnected or struggling to feel connected in their relationships, connected to themselves, and more fulfilled in their lives. In our work together, we'll focus on helping you quiet your inner critic, identify what you want and express what you need, and ultimately embrace your authentic self.

Very few people know what is really going on in your life and just how stuck you feel. It has gotten to the point where you no longer recognize yourself and have no idea how you got here. Maybe you feel like everything in your life, including yourself is out of control or that getting out of bed takes all your energy before your day has even started. Maybe you are flooded with unwanted memories from the past and you have turned to drugs or alcohol to cope. You’re exhausted and know that life cannot continue like this anymore. You are looking for a change, and are searching for support. I can help!

Everyone has a story. Some stories are happy and times of celebration, while others are disappointing and filled with grief. How is life defining you so far? We are intended to live life to our fullest. I believe therapy can be a positive and enriching experience for anyone. Through the development of a safe and trusting relationship, we can begin the journey of reaching goals, finding meaning, healing, and growth. I have a lengthy background in church ministry and pastoral counseling. As a mom of three and having been married for 31 years, I bring extensive life experience along with formal education to the counseling session.

My practice is focused on empowering people to take charge of their lives and work towards goals that they set for themselves. I support individuals, couples and families in identifying patterns that are not working for them and creating cooperative relational dynamics. I enjoy helping people see themselves from a strengths perspective, creating a powerful counter message to the negative messages they may have received.

“We find ourselves, time and time again in a thousand disguises on the path of life.”- Carl Jung. That path can be full of joy and dread, but it’s worth it. The challenge may be finding the inner strength and resolve to take the first step and find your own way through the dark night. Whether you're fighting dragons, depression, or anxiety, taking that first step is essential. That’s where I can help.

Wouldn’t it be nice if life felt like taking a well-traveled path – full of signs, directions and even tour guides to help us when we get lost? For many of us, life does not feel that way; it can even feel like we took a wrong turn along the way, and suddenly we are on a cliff-edged trail that is getting narrower and narrower. When we experience chronic stress – whether it be from trauma, relational issues, anxiety, depression or even sensitivity – life can feel hard. As pressure mounts, we can find ourselves reacting to daily experiences through outbursts of emotion, impulsivity, agitation or even numbing out.

When it comes to our mental health and our relationships, often we believe that it is better to say nothing and go with the flow. That enduring through difficult times and biting the bullet is better than using our voices to disrupt the cycle of dysfunction around us. Using our voice can be incredibly difficult and at times feel so awkward because we have become used to suffocating our emotions. It is okay to have feelings. It is okay to want change. The true measure of strength is not our ability to endure dysfunction but having the courage to stand up and say, “It stops here.” I can help.

I not only trained in, but am certified as an Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist. I've helped people find solutions to their lack of connection and happiness for more than 26 years. I walk alongside my clients to help them understand and change old patterns that keep them stuck. I am trained in EMDR and EFT (tapping), as well as Internal Family Systems. These techniques help empower you to cope in an often "triggering" world. When you feel empowered, you are more effective in your life. And who doesn't want to feel effective?

I believe substance use to be a symptom and not the root issue, but without first addressing and treating addiction we will not be able to intervene the underlying issues. There is an array of individuals and families that I enjoy working with. Teens, young adults and their families, adults and or partners/spouses who need support around their loved ones addiction and also with parents whos children are struggling with addiction. My approach to treatment is trauma and attachment informed because I believe that most addiction is driven by trauma and a lack of a healthy relationship with ones self.

Trauma: Trauma is part of the human condition, and past trauma will drive future behavioral choices. We will work on the trauma that is causing poor symptomology. Brainspotting is cutting-edge trauma treatment can speed up the healing process, so that life's previous experiences can stop controlling your present negative actions. (See https://www.recoveryhill.info/brainspotting-trauma-therapy to find out more). The act of researching for help makes the correct assumption that your life matters! My practice, Recovery Hill, specializes with Trauma & Substance Abuse, from adolescents to seniors, all genders, Vets & First Responders.

You looking for a better relationship with your spouse. You need help connecting, communicating and growing closer. There been a betrayal of trust. We help both partners feel heard, understood, and get to the underlying emotions and needs that aren't being met so they can have exceptional relationships. If you have experienced infidelity, are divorcing, need co parenting help we can help. Come in together or by yourself - it can make a difference either way. Decrease the disagreements and resentments and build and increase the love and passion. Don't wait until it's too late. Therapists are trained Gottman Method.

I work to create a trusting relationship with each of my clients and utilize a person-centered approach that ensures a unique and personalized treatment plan. I will often integrate a cognitive behavioral or solution-focused intervention to assist you in understanding yourself and others around you to the best of your ability.

Although I have experience, education, and training in psychology, you will always be the expert on “you”. I approach therapy as a collaboration where we unite as a team to hold space for, explore, and honor some of the most important aspects of your life. I look forward to building a unique approach to therapy with each client that values you as the other half of our team, and I recognize that what might work for one person may not be the best way to collaborate with you.

Are you struggling with non-stop worry about all the things that feel out of your control? Or maybe you find yourself terrified of embarrassment, consumed by doubt, or suddenly overwhelmed by dread for no apparent reason. I would love to give you the tools to ease your anxiety, take back your life, and truly be yourself. The never-ending worries and intense physical discomfort of anxiety can be exhausting and overwhelming. As your therapist, we would work together to identify what is driving your anxiety and then find the most effective strategies for you so that you don’t have to feel powerless anymore.

When your Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is perpetually alerted to be in a survival state (due to various life stressors) you might notice symptoms such as chronic fatigue, adrenal deficiency, perpetual irritability, trouble with sleeping, digestive issues, various mental health challenges and the list goes on. Holistic approaches to wellness that incorporate body-brain based therapy models get at the root of these issues and begin turning down the dial on your ANS so that you can live a longer, healthier life.

“We are all going through something.” – Anonymous. Feeling stuck, overwhelmed and unable to move forward and live your best life? Oftentimes it’s about your relationships, communicating with your partner, major decisions, or facing life’s unexpected challenges. Every so often it can even be those long-standing issues that you’ve been able to deal with, but this time, you just need a little help. To be human is to be in a relationship. Relationships can be with your spouse or partner, with your family, or even with Yourself.

Help and Guidance to Live Your Best Life! My desire is to journey alongside you to help you achieve fulfillment, healing, and hope in your own life. The therapeutic process is a collaborative one in which you and I work together to create change in a safe and non-judgmental environment. My goal is to offer understanding, safety, and connection in order to help facilitate your healing process.

My work focuses on helping people find more understanding and fulfillment in themselves and their relationships. I often work with those suffering with shame, trauma, repressed emotions, and relational conflict. I enjoy facilitating with couples, individuals, and families by way of practical approaches, a non-judgmental ear, and perspective-lending observation. I believe precise language and nonverbal communication can be hugely impactful on relationships. Having a safe place to reflect on and identify your personal and relational dynamics can lead to more awareness, skills, and peace in your life.