Services
Polyvagal-Informed Techniques and Interpersonal Neurobiology-Informed Techniques: over the last two decades, I have been studying the works of Dr. Stephen Porges (Polyvagal Theory) and Dr. Dan Siegel (Interpersonal Neurobiology) and those that are writing in these areas (including Deb Dana and Bonnie Badenoch in the area of the Polyvagal Theory, and Louis Cozolino, Alan Fogel, and Allan Schore in Interpersonal Neurobiology). I have been studying different interventions that are consonant with these practices and my own practice act over the last several years, including taking the Rhythm of Regulation Intensive with Deb Dana (Polyvagal Theory) and The Mindsight Approach to Well-Being: A Comprehensive Course in Interpersonal Neurobiology over the last year. I incorporate a number of approaches informed by both the Polyvagal Theory and Interpersonal Neurobiology, including, play, movement awareness training, breathing awareness training, touch awareness training, prosody awareness training, state mapping, co-regulation, working with ruptures and repair, working with boundaries and limits, working with differentiation and integration, etc.
Individual Cognitive and Executive Functioning Therapy: In weekly or monthly sessions, I work with individuals whose cognitive and/or executive functioning issues (i.e., attention, cognitive flexibility, working memory) impact on their everyday life (including, family life, school/college, and work). I often begin by focusing on working with individuals to help them to establish safety within their nervous system, as this is the cornerstone for the development of cognitive and executive functions. If needed, I utilize a variety of approaches, including: play, cognitive and executive functioning skills training, computerized cognitive software, mindful awareness training, coaching on use of cognitive and executive functioning strategies in different environments, polyvagal-informed techniques, and the use of complementary/alternative medicine techniques (including the Integrated Listening System or Forbrain devices, Integrative Manual Therapy, etc.) as is needed for the individual with whom I am working.
Individual Speech/Language Therapy: In weekly sessions, I work with neurodivergent individuals (including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorders, and other neurobiological differences) and/or individuals who have difficulty feeling safe in their bodies, on challenges related to social cognition/communication/pragmatics (i.e., social emotional reciprocity, perspective taking, relationship development), self-awareness and calming (i.e., emotion awareness, emotion recognition, and emotion regulation), and gaining independence skills (i.e., life skills, college skills, and transition planning). I begin by focusing on working with individuals to help them to establish safety within their nervous system, as this is the cornerstone for the development of social cognition, engagement and connection, self-awareness and regulation, and independence. I incorporate a variety of research-based practices, including: play, theory-of-mind training, modeling, cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness techniques, polyvagal-informed techniques, interpersonal neurobiology informed techniques, etc.
Safe and Sound Protocol: the SSP is a five-day intervention designed to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement and resilience. The focus of the SSP is to enhance and establish/restore “safety” in the individual’s nervous system.
Integrative Manual Therapy: IMT provides safe, empowering, and effective hands-on approaches that can be used to facilitate the underlying wisdom in the bodies of the individuals that I work with. IMT techniques and approaches can be added to the other work that I do with clients and families to assist them in working towards their goals.
Family Therapeutic Supports and Training: Family sessions can occur weekly, monthly or whenever challenges that are affecting family life and/or the neurodivergent individual's success in their daily life occur. Family sessions can include interventions and supports that the family may utilize in their home life while working with both family members and the neurodivergent individual to understand the perspectives of each other. I will also work with family members who require therapeutic interventions to improve their own regulation or connection with the individual with neurodivergent brains that may have been.
Consultation: I consult with neurodivergent individuals (including ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia, etc.), families, schools, mental health professionals, and other related professionals, on issues related to the daily life of individuals who have neurodivergent nervous systems and/or have difficulty feeling safe in their bodies, as well as strategies for addressing these issues.
Workshops and Presentations: I offer trainings for school staff, mental health providers, family members, and individuals with neurodiversities and/or have difficulties with feeling safe within their bodies. Presentations I have provided, include:
Polyvagal-Informed Techniques and Interpersonal Neurobiology-Informed Techniques: over the last two decades, I have been studying the works of Dr. Stephen Porges (Polyvagal Theory) and Dr. Dan Siegel (Interpersonal Neurobiology) and those that are writing in these areas (including Deb Dana and Bonnie Badenoch in the area of the Polyvagal Theory, and Louis Cozolino, Alan Fogel, and Allan Schore in Interpersonal Neurobiology). I have been studying different interventions that are consonant with these practices and my own practice act over the last several years, including taking the Rhythm of Regulation Intensive with Deb Dana (Polyvagal Theory) and The Mindsight Approach to Well-Being: A Comprehensive Course in Interpersonal Neurobiology over the last year. I incorporate a number of approaches informed by both the Polyvagal Theory and Interpersonal Neurobiology, including, play, movement awareness training, breathing awareness training, touch awareness training, prosody awareness training, state mapping, co-regulation, working with ruptures and repair, working with boundaries and limits, working with differentiation and integration, etc.
Individual Cognitive and Executive Functioning Therapy: In weekly or monthly sessions, I work with individuals whose cognitive and/or executive functioning issues (i.e., attention, cognitive flexibility, working memory) impact on their everyday life (including, family life, school/college, and work). I often begin by focusing on working with individuals to help them to establish safety within their nervous system, as this is the cornerstone for the development of cognitive and executive functions. If needed, I utilize a variety of approaches, including: play, cognitive and executive functioning skills training, computerized cognitive software, mindful awareness training, coaching on use of cognitive and executive functioning strategies in different environments, polyvagal-informed techniques, and the use of complementary/alternative medicine techniques (including the Integrated Listening System or Forbrain devices, Integrative Manual Therapy, etc.) as is needed for the individual with whom I am working.
Individual Speech/Language Therapy: In weekly sessions, I work with neurodivergent individuals (including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorders, and other neurobiological differences) and/or individuals who have difficulty feeling safe in their bodies, on challenges related to social cognition/communication/pragmatics (i.e., social emotional reciprocity, perspective taking, relationship development), self-awareness and calming (i.e., emotion awareness, emotion recognition, and emotion regulation), and gaining independence skills (i.e., life skills, college skills, and transition planning). I begin by focusing on working with individuals to help them to establish safety within their nervous system, as this is the cornerstone for the development of social cognition, engagement and connection, self-awareness and regulation, and independence. I incorporate a variety of research-based practices, including: play, theory-of-mind training, modeling, cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness techniques, polyvagal-informed techniques, interpersonal neurobiology informed techniques, etc.
Safe and Sound Protocol: the SSP is a five-day intervention designed to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement and resilience. The focus of the SSP is to enhance and establish/restore “safety” in the individual’s nervous system.
Integrative Manual Therapy: IMT provides safe, empowering, and effective hands-on approaches that can be used to facilitate the underlying wisdom in the bodies of the individuals that I work with. IMT techniques and approaches can be added to the other work that I do with clients and families to assist them in working towards their goals.
Family Therapeutic Supports and Training: Family sessions can occur weekly, monthly or whenever challenges that are affecting family life and/or the neurodivergent individual's success in their daily life occur. Family sessions can include interventions and supports that the family may utilize in their home life while working with both family members and the neurodivergent individual to understand the perspectives of each other. I will also work with family members who require therapeutic interventions to improve their own regulation or connection with the individual with neurodivergent brains that may have been.
Consultation: I consult with neurodivergent individuals (including ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia, etc.), families, schools, mental health professionals, and other related professionals, on issues related to the daily life of individuals who have neurodivergent nervous systems and/or have difficulty feeling safe in their bodies, as well as strategies for addressing these issues.
Workshops and Presentations: I offer trainings for school staff, mental health providers, family members, and individuals with neurodiversities and/or have difficulties with feeling safe within their bodies. Presentations I have provided, include:
- Addressing the Factors that Underlie Behavior Problems: Safety, Unmet Needs, and Lagging Skills
- The “ASD Plus" Student- Addressing the Needs of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Comorbid Mental Health Disorders
- ASD and Executive Function Disorders
- Beyond Social Skills: Working with Children Who Struggle with Social Interactions
- Communication and Behavior
- Embodied Safety: Understanding and Affecting the Body's Three Protective/Survival States
- Executive Functioning and Mental Health
- Individuals with Neurodivergent Brains in Higher Education
- Social Thinking/Perspective Taking/Theory of Mind
- Thinking Learning in Autism
- Working with Challenging Behavior