Therapy

Specializing in nature-based mental health therapy, my practice provides integrative therapeutic treatment. We can meet for therapy in nature (sitting/walking/hiking outside) or virtually.

Your therapy will be self-paced—treatment will focus on processing and healing underlying experiences and traumas while learning skills/coping strategies to healthfully navigate the present.

Although my practice emphasizes nature-based interventions, I utilize a variety of therapeutic approaches to help you meet your goals—regardless of the location of our sessions—your therapy will be individually tailored to best fit your needs.

Areas of Focus

Addiction

I provide treatment for all forms of addiction. I encourage a holistic approach to addiction recovery with the understanding addiction is a symptom of deeper wounds or distress—at one time being an effective self-medication and way to manage life—it is no longer working. Therapy for addiction will focus on addressing the underlying drivers of addictive behaviors—allowing for the autonomy to develop a healthier self and grow into an identity outside of addiction.

Nature-Based

Nature-based treatment of addiction is a method that has been used for decades to promote recovery and well-being. Processing of the underlying factors of addiction often increases when conducted in nature. Nature contact acts as a nervous system and emotional regulator—key components of addiction recovery. Employing nature as tool in recovery may also help promote coping strategies to address aspects of symptoms associated with addiction.

Trauma

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

I provide treatment for all forms of trauma, PTSD/complex-PTSD. In trauma-focused therapy, containment and pacing will be a central focus. Trauma healing has phases, and we will adjust your work to fit your natural flow of trauma recovery. Outpatient trauma work must allow you to still function in your daily life. A large portion of your early trauma-focused work will be around skills for containment, nervous system regulation, and grounding so you can safely pause your trauma processing as needed and not overwhelm your nervous system. To successfully process trauma, there must be high levels of trust in the therapeutic relationship. This cannot be manufactured, and our time together will seek to allow for this trust to be built authentically. We will adjust the progression of your trauma-focused work to allow you to heal at the pace that makes sense for you while honoring the complexity of the healing experience.

Nature-Based

Nature-based trauma sessions allow for reinforcement of containment and grounding. When outside, grounding and coping skills that have been demonstrated to be especially effective addressing symptoms of PTSD can be applied with ease. Many people find their nervous systems will automatically regulate when in nature. Special care will be given to select natural spaces that feel safe/supportive of your trauma processing. I provide both nature-based and traditional virtual EMDR. In some cases, virtual trauma-focused sessions may be most supportive for your specific therapeutic work and will be utilized accordingly.

Depression

I provide treatment for depression. Therapy for depression will focus on addressing immediate symptoms and exploring the underlying factors that contribute to your depression. A holistic approach will be emphasized, and you will be given autonomy to explore interventions for depression healing that feel most applicable to you.

Nature-Based

Research supports nature contact in itself can support the resolution of symptoms of depression. Your depression focused therapy treatment may be more effective and supportive when conducted in a natural setting.

Anxiety

I provide treatment for anxiety. Therapy for anxiety will focus on addressing immediate symptoms and exploring the underlying factors that contribute to your anxiety. A holistic approach will be emphasized, and you will be given autonomy to explore interventions for anxiety healing that feel most applicable to you.

Nature-Based

Research supports nature contact in itself can support the resolution of symptoms of anxiety. Your anxiety focused therapy treatment may be more effective and supportive when conducted in a natural setting.

Life Transitions

I provide treatment supportive of life transitions. As you navigate changing roles and circumstances, therapy will focus on the processing of your experiences and support the development of strategies to aid you in navigating these changes healthfully and with resilience.

Nature-Based

Therapy for life transitions in a natural setting may allow for improved processing, emotional regulation, and integration of coping strategies.

Stress Management

I provide treatment for stress management. Therapy for stress management will explore the circumstances and challenges you are facing that influence your experience of stress and overwhelm. You will be supported to develop strategies to address factors contributing to stress and acquire new techniques for stress management.

Nature-Based

Research supports nature contact is a stress reducer and regulates the nervous system. Your therapy for stress management will build upon this—the interventions utilized may be more effective and supportive when conducted in a natural setting.

Self-Esteem

Identity Building

I provide treatment supportive of self-esteem and identity building. Therapy will involve exploration and processing of core beliefs and experiences that led to the development of low self-esteem. Therapeutic interventions will focus on the cultivation of a positive relationship with yourself—enabling you to increase your self-esteem and sense of empowerment.

As healing and shifting perceptions occur, there are aspects of self-identity that evolve. Therapy will validate your emerging self and support releasing and—at times—grieving elements of your identity that are no longer pertinent. You will be encouraged and supported to build a broader community that is responsive to your growth and development.

Nature-Based

Nature as a setting for this work may encourage a deeper awareness of self and sense of grounding, connection, and clarity—factors that may support an increased sense of self-esteem, empowerment, and identity development.

Approaches

  • Integrative approaches to therapy engage diverse therapeutic interventions and approaches to treatment. The emphasis of therapy is healing the whole person through a holistic, bespoke treatment plan. My work with individuals prioritizes autonomy throughout the therapy process and encouragement to cultivate a larger support network and community beyond therapy alone.

  • Nature-based mental health therapy approaches treatment with the belief connecting to nature alone is a form of healing. I have received extensive training in therapeutic interventions and best practices for nature-based therapy—additionally participating in ongoing ecotherapy (nature-based) training through a program in my homestate of New Mexico. When integrated with therapy interventions—research supports the clinical effectiveness of nature-based healing. Integrative nature-based therapy appears to have improved treatment outcomes vs traditional office-based settings. There are ample benefits to nature-based therapy: To learn more, please navigate to the “Why Nature-Based Therapy?” section of this page.

  • EMDR is a therapeutic treatment that helps relieve symptoms of trauma and distress through the processing of traumatic experiences utilizing a standardized protocol that includes bilateral stimulation. To learn more, please visit: http://emdr.com/what-is-emdr/#layperson

    I am an EMDR trained therapist. I provide traditional EMDR via virtual therapy. I also provide nature-based EMDR.

    Nature-Based EMDR

    EMDR was incepted in nature while founder Dr. Francine Shapiro was on a walk outside. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to return EMDR to nature. I have completed specialized EMDRIA approved training in nature-based EMDR. Nature-based EMDR incorporates elements of nature and outdoor settings into the traditional EMDR protocol. As we work together we will further explore which delivery of EMDR is a fit for your specific EMDR needs which may include virtual, nature-based, or virtual/nature-based hybrid.

  • Somatic interventions are an integral component of therapy. I have received training in integrative somatic therapy techniques—with a special focus on nature-based somatic interventions including the utilization of movement in outdoor therapy sessions. As being connected with one’s body can be a challenge for some, or there may be physical ability differences, this element will only be collaboratively integrated into your therapy as beneficial for your phase of healing and personal needs.

  • Parts Work helps explore, increase communication between, and heal the different aspects of yourself. At times, the different parts of the mind, personality, values/beliefs, etc can be at odds with one another—increasing the level of collaboration with and understanding the different sides of yourself can help promote a more cohesive internal movement towards your therapy goals.

  • Attachment-based therapy seeks to promote secure attachment in individuals to encourage the development of healthy relationships and sense of connection. I provide attachment-based therapy. This intervention is employed through our interactions during the therapy process. The therapeutic relationship will frequently bring forward the attachment patterns of the individual seeking therapy at various times in treatment. Exploration and healing of your attachment patterns in this context will support your ability to move towards more secure attachment in all forms of social interactions and relationships.

  • Motivational interviewing is a therapeutic technique that supports you to connect with your intrinsic motivation by clarifying your reasons for seeking therapy and goals for the outcome of your treatment.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a therapeutic approach that is widely utilized by many clinicians. CBT focuses on modifying your thought patterns with the intention of shifting behaviors and symptoms of distress. I am trained in CBT; however, I utilize it in a limited fashion, primarily focusing on using CBT techniques to help increase awareness of one’s thinking patterns.

Why Nature-Based Therapy?

Nature-based therapy has research supporting its treatment effectiveness; in contrast to traditional office-based therapy, nature-based therapy may allow for deeper processing, empowering coping strategies, mood stabilization, emotional regulation, and improved mental health treatment outcomes. The further readings provide insight into this research and additional resources to learn more about the benefits of nature for mental health and the effectiveness of nature-based therapy. 

Further Readings

  • In-person therapy session while we walk/hike/sit outside at a public park or natural space in the greater Saint Louis area.

  • Not ready to explore nature-based therapy or don’t feel it’s a good fit for your therapy needs? I also provide traditional virtual therapy.

    Nature-based virtual sessions are additionally available.

    Nature-based interventions will be utilized while you attend the session virtually from the natural space of your choice.

Therapy Options