What to Expect: Your Roadmap to Relief
Taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, especially when your brain is already busy "pre-playing" every possible scenario. My process is designed to be structured, transparent, and low-pressure. There are no "social tests" here. We move at the speed of your nervous system.
Step 1: The Initial Connection (15-Minute Consultation)
We start with a brief, no-pressure phone call.
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The Goal: To see if my specialized approach is the right fit for your specific "loop."
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What Happens: You don’t have to share your whole history. I’ll ask a few targeted questions, and you can ask me anything about how I work.
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The Result: If we’re a fit, we’ll schedule your intake. If not, I’ll provide a direct referral to someone who is.
Step 2: The "Brain Map" (Intake & Assessment)
Our first 1–2 sessions are dedicated to gathering data. We won't jump into trauma right away.
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Identifying the "Sticky" Points: We pinpoint exactly where your brain gets stuck and what triggers your rumination.
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Sensory Inventory: We discuss your neurodivergent traits, what soothes you, what overstimulates you, and how we can make the therapy room (or virtual space) feel safe for you.
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Setting the Target: We choose the specific "loops" we want to break first.
Step 3: Strengthening the System (Resourcing)
Before we process trauma, we build your "internal toolkit."
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The Tools: We use "Bottom-Up" techniques to help you regulate your nervous system in real-time.
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The "Safety Brake": We establish signals so that if a session ever feels like "too much," we have an immediate way to dial it back. You are always in the driver’s seat.
Step 4: Breaking the Loop (Processing with EMDR & ERP)
This is the "active" phase of therapy where we use evidence-based protocols to update how your brain stores distressing memories.
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EMDR Sessions: We use bilateral stimulation (like eye movements or tapping) to "digest" traumatic events so they no longer feel like they are happening now.
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ERP Exercises: For chronic rumination, we practice "Response Prevention", learning how to acknowledge a loud, looping thought without letting it hijack your entire day.
Step 5: Integration & Maintenance
Once the "charge" is taken out of the trauma, we focus on your daily life.
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Strategic Planning: We use Solution-Focused strategies to manage work, relationships, and sensory needs.
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Graduation: Our goal isn't for you to be in therapy forever. We work toward the day where you feel equipped to handle your "loops" on your own.
A Note on the "Vibe" of Our Sessions
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Fidgets & Movement: You are welcome to use fidget toys, doodle, or move around during our sessions. Stimming is welcome here.
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No Eye-Contact Pressure: You don’t have to look at the camera or me to do deep work.
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Direct Communication: I won't make you "guess" what I'm thinking. I use clear, direct language and provide structure so you always know what we’re doing and why.