This is just one story in the many stories in the world... I "did healing" with people long before I had psychotherapy training. That's what other people called it. I called it interacting deeply with people in some of their harder moments, but not in so many words (smile). As I went I learned from many amazing people what worked throughout the ages to ease human difficulties and emotional pain using western esoteric arts, eastern philosophy and other spiritual traditions. I also have come to understand how challenges help us shape and strengthen the center of us. I studied everything I could get my hands on, anything that seemed to help people (my self included) live life to the fullest; western medicines of neuroscience and psychology. I used intuition, my dance and arts, my words-  a fellow human and gaining understanding with each of them about what that may mean. I don't know where this started initially, it was just something that I did from an early age, a thirst to understand living, the pain and, what it means to be human. The pleasure of being alive, how to increase this and decrease some of the suffering, while still needing challenge to grow, to learn. Transcendence and detachment from the material plane felt barren and really beside the point of being "here". I did not like most woo- woo- pursuits in spiritual communities that often felt to abandon reason or ethics or intrinsic laws; it felt more enjoyable to be in my body, in the woods and with stories, with people in the mundane of life and in experiences that made me feel more alive, some accountability, some reasoning, some laws- sometimes the old, sometimes the new. When I moved away from "alternative" practices to psychotherapy those old practices sought me. Many boundaries and limits I found in the mental health community allowed a new creativity because what was often missing, what worked well to really help people change their lives. The parameters of this medical world that gave me solid ground and good boundaries allowed me to help in new ways, the formality, the permissions and consents that were missing before and... then linear world that felt so stifling to healing, the boards, the departments, the bureaucracy and governing bodies often so detached from the work, the people, the lives and choices... gave me a need to stretch.

I picked up my wand again and began to weave, and translate, and see more and more parallels between magick and science. They began to compliment each other like the dance between yin and yang, the mountain and the ocean, the right and left of our brain. I had quested for knowledge from books and great teachers as a child, had many spiritual practices over many years that may be called Pagan, studied Christian and other Abrahamic religions through people, scriptures and practices over my lifetime, later discovered family lineage and ancestry connecting to my present life. Culture and literature perspectives colored my lens, in and out of it all. Through gratitude for the dichotomy of life, the masculine and the feminine in humanness- knowledge unfolded that has nearly been lost- The ancient healing arts I practiced since I was 20 years old, now intricately demonstrating this knowledge now with much more depth and sharpness. Tarot, Astrology, Chakra balancing, Herbals, Hermetics, Magick & Visualization, Movement through Dance, Music, Storytelling, and other Artistic Expressions were a part of my practice then, and are at the heart of me now. If you fully consent, then I want to help you find the heart of you, and let you enjoy your center! Whatever that is, finding your boundaries and challenges that will help you to continue to become the best version of you- authentic, unique and in being a cooperative part of this big club of humans all at the same time- worth it all because there is a reason you are here. You can fill in that blank. I studied in my mind, in my body, and it found its way into my soul. I lost my way many times and always found my path again. One persistent tool was often, literally, right in front of my face. Stories. Reading, writing, listening, sharing, moving my body to make them, telling with my words; the true, the imagined. What story was I telling to myself about my life? How about now? What story are you telling yourself? Do you enjoy it? Does it help you? What outcome is your story working on?

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I love how the "black and white" of the page is always full of grey. Stories have always been a passion in my life. I am so passionate about helping you know your story, how you view the world, what drives you, what tools you have and whether I can journey with you for part of your story, assisting you in finding your "holy grail"- which could be anything from sharing your unique gifts, healing your pain, feeling into your life and body, facing injustice, finding your purpose, raising your children, growing in relationship with another (or others), going to work each day finding the satisfaction in what you just provided for so many, etc. And be "you", I mean the people that sign on to this with full choice and their best guess. If I think I am not competent to help you I will give that feedback and I appreciate yours. You know best for yourself and I know my limits of expertise and am open to more.

Marion Woodman says this: "Storytelling is at the heart of life... In finding our own story, we assemble all the parts of ourselves. Whatever kind of mess we have made of it, we can somehow see the totality of who we are and recognize how our blunderings are related. We can own what we did and value who we are, not because of the outcome but because of the soul story that propelled us."

Consult & Biases: I want you to know my biases because we all have them and we need to discover if our collaboration will work for your goals, and my way of viewing and experiencing the world is not "the way". I have a biased world view in seeing life and healing in terms of seeking balance, integrating opposing forces, alchemy, and a love for contradictions (found in humor or even bike riding. ie. watch a bike ride in slow motion; they are micro tipping, side-to-side constantly!) My many lenses creates my own bias. I believe that is OK. You get to have them, too. The differences keep it interesting for all of us. Some of these perspective I hold are supported in psychotherapy in the application of Internal Family Systems, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. I have a bias to see importance in the balance of a human system, in healing the need to integrate "spirit" into practice in psychotherapy. This is not religious based, but can be for you if that is what you are seeking. I welcome all religious practitioners, Pagans, Wiccans, Christians, Buddhists, agnostics, atheists and other more "mainstream" religions.   Your spirit can be how you feel connected to other human beings, your body, nature, a higher power, God, many gods, or a core sense of Self. I support this through the use of evidence-based practices of Polyvagal Theory's Ventral Vagal engagement, the "Self" in Internal Family System's parts work, consciousness in Mindfulness, Existentialism, and Interpersonal Neurobiology.

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SCIENCE IS IMPORTANT TO MY INTEGRATION PRACTICE: There is so much wisdom is our many people's old teachings, but also much we do not know, and great discoveries we are continuing to be made. I did not want to turn my nose up at the "new" knowledge found in science- I integrate that into what I find in my other work, too. During my graduate studies practicum I was introduced to neuroscience and somatic (body psychology) work. In my internship I began to work heavily with trauma and the effect on our brain, body and whole person- whether the person was young or old, whether the trauma was young or old. I saw how some of the old, "alternative" methods were helpful, but in order to practice it in my career as a licensed counselor it needed to be evidenced-based (the balance bias again). The governing boards of licensed practice added the structure, boundaries, and ethical accountability to practice that I could not find in the metaphysical communities, so I find this integration very satisfying. Again, because I am interested in your story, I am interested in the Archetypes and Metaphors that work for you. I am not bound by my metaphysical systems- because they are dynamic- they keep growing and evolving. But we can use these old systems if that works for your goals.

I went to work connecting (often translating) the bridges between this old wealth of knowledge that approached human suffering more holistically and the new science of psychology that is becoming more holistic and integrative as it goes. The interplay reminds me of our minds, our bodies our human need for the excitement of polarity. Our science is always evolving, seemingly plunging further into what is considered more mystery, depth and creative exploration. The "right brain" expanding the artistic expression,  sensitivity and receptivity of yin energy that allows us to open, be and feel. And appreciating the structure of the driven "left brain", that provides the focused discipline and other linear, yang approaches; helping us to safely contain, become and reason. Again, exciting balance.

Neurobiology (brain science) is showing evidence (psychotherapy professional practice requires) to support integrating many of these old tools of healing into modern treatment. I am seeing more and more therapists bravely standing up and showing how this integration may be the next wave of psychology. The many courageous survivors of abuse and neglect have the largest role in our evolving understanding of what it is to be human. The work we do in trauma recovery is sacred and a privilege for healers. We are all healers in our own ways! Very hopeful and exciting. More tools to use in helping you to help us all!

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