Yoga

Yoga became the unexpected catalyst that ignited my path to healing and self-discovery. During my adolescence and early adulthood, I found myself grappling with a persistent sense of inadequacy, hopelessness, and anxiety. These feelings were like constant companions, casting a shadow over my experiences and interactions. I often felt like an outsider, never quite measuring up to my own expectations or those I perceived around me. The internal dialogue was relentless – a constant stream of self-doubt and criticism that chipped away at my self-esteem.

This internal turmoil led to a profound sense of disconnection. I felt detached from my own emotions and experiences, as if I were merely an observer in my own life, watching it unfold without truly participating. The world around me seemed distant and unreal, while my thoughts and anxieties consumed me, leaving little room for genuine connection or joy.

My yoga practice mirrored back to me my self-critical relationship I had with myself. I criticised myself when I couldn’t fully express a pose, I stationed myself in the back corner for fear of being seen when I might topple over in a balancing pose, I compared my body to the person next to me, and I had difficulty choosing a gentler expression of a pose because I had a no pain, no gain mentality. My life was plagued with self-shame. 

However, yoga also became a sanctuary for self-exploration and growth. It encouraged self-compassion and mindfulness, helping me notice the connection between my thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. Over time, this translated into more kindness and understanding toward myself, a deeper connection to my intuition, and a more embodied, present-moment awareness. 

My personal growth inspired me to complete my yoga teacher training at Bloom Yoga Studio, obtain my Masters in Social Work at Northeastern Illinois University, and become a certified NARM therapist so I could support others in reconnecting with their hearts.

Therapeutic Approach

I desired a clinical approach that would support my clients in reconnecting with their sense of Self, similar to that of my yoga experience. The NeuroAffective Relational Model is just that.

NARM is a type of therapy that helps people understand and heal emotional wounds, often from childhood. It focuses on how early life experiences, especially difficult or traumatic ones, can affect how we feel about ourselves, interact with others, and cope with stress as adults.

Utilizing NARM, yoga, and other trauma-informed approaches I guide you in becoming more in tune with your mind, body, and emotions. We will identify and work through those deeply rooted patterns we so often get stuck in, like the messages we tell ourselves or the behaviors that contradict what we most want for ourselves.

Instead of just talking about the past, together, we will focus on what's happening right now and how you relate to your feelings in the present-moment. The hope is to help you reconnect with who you really are, feel more grounded in your sense of Self, and cultivate healthier relationships all by being gently guided to experience yourself in the present-moment of therapy. 

As a relational therapist, I believe trauma happens in relationships and can be healed in relationships. I place value on creating a safe environment, one in which you choose the content and pace of each session, and I engage with from a place of genuine curiosity of your inner experience. 

Together, let’s get you living in your flow.