Twenty-five years ago, in a small brightly-coloured office in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, I began to notice something intriguing about the human body. As a Board Certified Massage Therapist, I worked with people experiencing stress, anxiety, chronic pain, and chronic illnesses. It was through these sessions that I observed how...Read More

Meeting Your Inner World: An Exploration of Internal Family Systems As a senior facilitator of Janina Fisher, PhD’s Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) training and among the first to be certified in TIST, I have delved deeply into the concept of ‘parts work.’ Many of the insightful tenets of TIST are...Read More

On the Path of Discovery: Exploring Ecological Psychology in a Diverse World In my quest to understand the human mind and behaviour from a perspective that transcends the limits of traditional Eurocentric models, I’ve encountered a compelling field of study—ecological psychology. As a psychotherapist focusing on somatic approaches, the principles...Read More

Emotional regulation is a crucial skill that enables individuals to manage their emotions, respond effectively to stressors, and maintain mental well-being. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s not uncommon for people to experience overwhelming emotions. To navigate through these intense emotions and maintain a sense of balance, grounding techniques can be...Read More

Somatic Internal Family Systems (Somatic IFS) is an innovative therapeutic modality that combines the principles of somatic therapy with the Internal Family Systems (IFS) framework. Somatic therapy focuses on the connection between the mind and body, using techniques such as movement, touch, and breathwork to promote healing and well-being. The...Read More

Sensory sensitivity refers to the heightened response to sensory stimuli, such as sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures. This heightened sensitivity can make individuals more aware of their surroundings and more easily overwhelmed by sensory input. Sensory sensitivity can vary from person to person and can manifest in different ways,...Read More

Psychological trauma can have a profound and lasting impact on a person’s mental and physical health. It can leave individuals feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and disconnected from their bodies. Traditional talk therapy can help process trauma, but it doesn’t always address the physical aspect of trauma stored in the body. That’s...Read More

Trauma can manifest in many different ways, from physical symptoms like headaches and chronic pain to emotional responses like anxiety and depression. However, trauma can also have a profound impact on our relationship with our bodies and internal sensations. Many trauma survivors struggle with feeling disconnected from their bodies, which...Read More

Deep breathing is a simple yet powerful technique that can help manage stress and anxiety. It involves taking slow, deep breaths, which helps activate the body’s relaxation response and reduces the effects of the fight-or-flight response. Deep breathing can be done anywhere, anytime, and is an effective way to reduce...Read More

Anxiety is a common mental health condition that can interfere with daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. While there are many different approaches to treating anxiety, one particularly effective therapy is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT is a type of cognitive-behavioural therapy that focuses on helping individuals develop practical skills...Read More