The Heart of Somatics First

About Me

Guided by lived experience and specialized training in somatic healing to help you find your steady center.

My professional path is rooted in a deep commitment to trauma recovery. I bring together the science of Somatic Experiencing (SE) with the clarity of Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Breathwork, and EMDR. This blend of modalities allows us to address not just the stories you hold, but the physical sensations and nervous system responses that often tell the deeper truth of your experience.

Beyond clinical training, I carry a personal understanding of trauma and PTSI. Having navigated high-stress service environments myself, I know that recovery isn't just a clinical goal: it's a lived necessity. Everyone experiences stress in one form or another. When it is overwhelming, and sometimes we do not know that it has overwhelmed us, a Post Traumatic Stress Injury can develop. The first experience when I encountered this was as a Power Engineer in the mid-'90s. Subsequently I was drawn to the first responder field with 27 years as a firefighter and 22 years as a Paramedic (much of this overlapping in a dual role function). After two more experiences with stress related disorders and being off work, I retired in 2022. That culminated in another breakdown and a desire to find out what was wrong with me, why talk therapy was not getting to the root. A friend suggested and provided me with Somatic Experiencing. That led to even deeper work and a revelation as to why I had become a first responder, which happened to be the same reason I was off work several times. It was so impressive I had to share with others and sought out training. This shared history means I meet you with a presence that is both grounded and authentic, recognizing the heavy weight of duty and the immense resilience required to move through it.

In our work together, your agency is paramount. My approach is gentle and choice-centered, ensuring you always feel in control of the pace and direction of your healing. I hold a sacred space for all that you are, honoring your gender identity, your spirituality, and the unique wisdom of your own spirit. This is a place of absolute respect, designed to let you breathe, reconnect, and heal at a pace that feels safe for you.