Mind-Body Psychotherapy
Emotions and feelings often live in our bodies. Although talking about our troubles and challenges can be useful, feelings and sensations in the body can be a gateway to growth and on-going self-regulation.
The Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM):
Trauma is anything that overwhelms the nervous system and challenges one's capacity to cope. The Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM) is a mind-body approach to treating an activated nervous system. TRM uses the body and mind’s resilient capacity to restore and stabilize. The approach focuses on the body’s automatic responses to triggers, while developing skills for personal mastery and self-management. The skills are incorporated into on-going self-care practices and often provide survivors with a renewed sense of hope.
For more information on TRM visit: http://traumaresourceinstitute.com
Mindfulness & Meditation
Developing compassion towards yourself and an ability to witness feelings and sensations as they happen can be instrumental in working with difficult emotions. Mindfulness encourages you to become aware of positive experiences and sensations to serve as a resource while integrating difficult experiences and emotions.
Breathing & Relaxation
Becoming aware of your breath can aid in calming the nervous system, regulating your emotional state and reducing stress. I will work with you find the tools and self-care strategies that work best for you. This can include breathing exercises, guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation. Tools are often practiced in sessions to help you develop wellness skills that can be incorporated into an ongoing self-care practice.
Therapeutic Movement
Oftentimes the way we move our body through gestures, posture and body language can reflect underlying thoughts and feelings. When we are encouraged to move in new ways, we create new neural pathways in the brain that can prompt changes in the ways we think and feel. Therapeutic movement involves paying attention to your body while encouraging new and empowering self-expression. Individual sessions can also assist in developing social, emotional and cognitive skills through the framework of creative dance/movement and yoga postures.
Dance For All
Dance For All is a therapeutic movement program through UCLArts and Healing for teens and adults with developmental disabilities. I currently direct the program which holds weekly dance and yoga classes and performances. The program’s focus is on building a community that cultivates self-esteem and empowers participants to find their vision, voice and leadership. For more information on classes, internships, performances and training opportunties go to www.danceforall.org
