Frequently Asked Questions

 

What kinds of issues do you work with?

• I specialize in treating the effects of stress and trauma that may show up as anxiety, irritability, shutdown, low energy, sleep issues, or relational difficulties.

  Please also see Who I Work With.

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How is somatic work different from talk therapy?

• The word "somatic" means body-oriented or body-inclusive.

• We will be talking during our sessions, but we will also track the full flow of your present-moment experience, including Sensation, Imagery, Behavior, Affect (Emotion), and Meaning (SIBAM).

• This attention to the broader range of human experience often creates deep and lasting change, especially when addressing unresolved autonomic nervous system survival responses.

• Somatic work is holistic - it includes the body while fully honoring all dimensions of the human person: the sensitive powers (emotions and sensations) and the higher rational faculties of intellect (reason) and will. This supports the natural ordering in which reason and will gently guide the emotions toward greater wholeness.

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What is a Catholic understanding of the human person?

• The Catholic understanding of the human person has been developed over literally thousands of years, long before modern psychological theories, yet remains responsive to the best that science teaches us about human nature.

• As a somatic therapist, I celebrate the profound unity of body and soul as a single reality created in God’s image and likeness. St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and philosophy of personhood emphasize that the body reveals the person and is made for communion and self-giving love.

• We understand the human person as possessing an inherent dignity that does not depend on our state of health or functioning, with a full capacity for union with God.

• In my practice, I honor this unity by gently supporting the integration of body, emotions, and the higher faculties of intellect and will.

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What is Somatic Experiencing?

• Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a powerful approach to healing that helps people integrate or resolve unprocessed stress or trauma. I have completed three years of training in SE.

• SE is whole-person focused, addressing the body, autonomic nervous system states, survival patterns, emotions, intellect, and the range of rational as well as survival-based choices we make.  You can learn more here.

 

What is Hakomi?

• Hakomi is an experiential, mindfulness-based somatic therapy that gently explores core beliefs and patterns through present-moment awareness. I have completed two years of training in Hakomi.

• One unique quality of Hakomi-oriented work is that we collaboratively design "little experiments" to help uncover core material. Hakomi embodies qualities of presence, attention, and care toward oneself and one another.

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Do you accept insurance?

• I accept Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).

• I am in-network with and accept the following health insurance plans:

  • HealthNet

  • Kaiser Permanente Northwest

  • Moda

  • PacificSource Commercial

  • Trillium OHP

• I do not accept any Medicare plans, except through Kaiser.

• I do not accept any other OHP plans except Trillium as listed above.

• I limit the number of clients from each insurance network I am contracted with so that I can maintain space for a few from each at any given time to honor those contracts.
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What are your fees?

• Full rate sessions range from $85-$200 based on type and duration of session.

• A 15% "no hassle" discount is available for payment at time of service, so 40 min sessions are $128 and 55 min sessions are $170.

 

What is episodic care?

• I enjoy forming long-term relationships with my clients one "piece of work" at a time, with natural breaks as appropriate to keep the process fresh.

• Those focused periods of therapy (for example, lets say 3-6 months) can be broken up by breaks of a few weeks to a few months where clients take time off for integration. This supports sustainable healing without dependency and helps the work stay clear and focused.

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Where is your office?

• 3003 Willamette Street, Eugene, Oregon.

• Located in the Trillium Professional building, with beautiful office suites with adjacent garden.

• You'll arrive to find a nice reception area with seating, bathrooms and a drinking fountain

• Plenty of parking, bike stalls, and local bus access.