Therapist Info
About Me:My formative years were spent in the South Pacific where, among other things, I learned and developed a knowledge and understanding of complimentary and alternative medicines. Through watching my grandmother treat everyday ailments with various herbs and remedies derived from ayurvedic practices, I was taught that there are many ways to heal the human body, mind, and spirit. I was always curious as to how and why these remedies worked and were often more effective than those prescribed by traditional medicine. Although she turned to her innate and generational knowledge first, my grandmother was a healer and was not shy about utilizing practices from the west; or the east for that matter. As first-generation immigrants, my grandparents moved with nothing and lived with others from around the world who had nothing but each other. She would often also consult with our Chinese neighbors about different plants, roots and teas. She would then incorporate these teachings into her own approach and I would watch as she ground herbs and spices by hand in a brass grinder. I still turn to a shot of ginger juice to this day for a sore throat. Thus, my worldview of healing was born.
I was fortunate enough to have traveled around the world when I was younger and before moving to the United States. My parents were academics and teachers and my sister and I spent the better part of each year traveling around the world experiencing things and people as they are. Seeing people live and being part of their environment was an invaluable experience that taught me humility, patience, kindness, and that, although health and healing looks different across cultures, the root of it all is the easing of suffering for individuals, their loved ones, and the communities in which they live. My worldview of healing was expanded.
After moving to the United States, I continued to learn about health and healing across different modalities and people. Through various jobs and internships beginning in high school and continuing throughout college and graduate school. I have worked with individuals, families, and communities struggling with issues including physical and intellectual disabilities, severe and persistent mental health issues, addiction, issues with the legal system, incarceration, foster care, and parenting. Albeit through traditionally western oriented systems and schools, these experiences expanded and continues to expand my worldview of healing.
Over the years, after seeing and experiencing what different approaches have to offer, I have developed an integrated and complimentary style and approach to healing. I believe that we all have an inner healer within us and that my job is to help you find that healer or restore your faith in it. I believe that there are many approaches to healing, but only the one that works for you is the right one. I also believe that in order to heal the self, we also need to heal those around us. I have seen the power of community and experienced what people can do when they work together for a common good. I bring all of this education, experience, and knowledge with me into the healing space so that we can work together to identify the causes of your suffering and, in turn, work together to alleviate them and promote true health and wellbeing.
Description of Services:Therapeutic Approach
I combine over 25 years of experience and education across clinical psychology, psychopharmacology, mindfulness, neuropsychology, health and wellbeing, lifestyle change, and leadership coaching, to provide a truly individualized and informed approach. I begin the integration process before the psychedelic experience to set the stage at the neuronal level for the true growth and transformative healing and change that is possible through psychedelic medicine.
I utilize the THRIVE Model of Psychedelic Integrationâ„¢ that combines the knowledge, wisdom, and traditions from indigenous cultures, evidence from modern psychedelic research, and psychoeducation into a holistic case-formulation framework. This framework guides the identification and assessment of specific areas relative to the human experience that history and research have shown to be the most relevant to the integration of psychedelic experiences and journeys. This model of integration allows us to:
- Identify and clarify your goals
- Set appropriate intentions and identify the right setting
- Identify areas of strength, challenge, potential, and growth
- Identify and begin developing specific practices, habits, skills, education, and training that are taken into and strengthened by the psychedelic experience
- Integrate the psychedelic experience to promote true healing and create sustainable long-term change
Credentials & Certifications: Ph.D., Psychedelic/Integration Coach, Founder of the THRIVE Model of Psychedelic Integrationâ„¢, Clinical Psychology, Researcher, PsychopharmacologyLicenses: Virginia - 0810004408; California - PSY23917Details
Remote Practitioner: YesSpecializing In: Anxiety and Depression, CBT, Ketamine Integration, Microdosing, Mindfulness-based therapy, Psychedelic Preparation and Integration, and PTSDPrice Range: $200-$500/hrMy Process
Overview of Experience:Preparation includes an initial consultation, completing questionnaires, an intake appointment, goal setting, Q&A, education, and preparatory breathing and altered states of mind work.
Intake Process:The journey begins with us getting to know each other either in person or via video (i.e., Zoom). During our initial conversation, we will talk about what led you to reach out for information on this particular therapy, your past experience(s) with psychedelics, if any, what has and is currently impacting your life - both positive and negative, and what you hope to achieve from psychedelic therapy. If there is a good fit, you will fill out a basic intake questionnaire, complete some psychological and life satisfaction questionnaires, and then we would schedule our first preparation appointment during which we will talk more in depth and explore your struggles, background, and set some intentions and goals for our work together.
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