Frequently Asked Questions

No, I’m not a licensed therapist. While I’ve thought about pursuing a formal degree, I’ve decided that my place lies outside the mental health industrial complex. I don’t want an education based on colonial, Western psychology that stigmatizes the very people I want to help. I would have to unlearn that anyway, so I’d rather spend my energy on training and experiences that are decolonized from the start.

That being said, I still believe therapy is a valuable tool. I know many therapists who are challenging their fields and unlearning harmful practices. My own therapist is incredible and I’ll brag about her to anyone who will listen. I’m not against therapists—I just don’t want to be one. Some people like that, others aren’t comfortable with it, but I’m always upfront about my background so people can make an informed decision about working with me.

During our first few sessions, we’ll work on building trust as we get to know each other. From there, our sessions will vary, but we’ll typically start with a quick check-in to see how you’ve been feeling and coping since we last saw each other. Depending on what comes up, we may talk about a personal issue that you’ve been dealing with, a societal issue or world event that’s been affecting you, and what support you need moving forward.

In some sessions, you may just need to talk and vent. However, I try to bring things back to the body as much as possible, so most of my sessions include a blend of somatic experiencing and parts work. I may ask you what parts are coming up for you, what sensations you’re noticing in your body, and guide you in getting to know both your parts and your nervous system. This is always done with your express consent, which you may withdraw at any time.

Most of our sessions are an hour long, and I try to stick to that boundary so the other people I work with aren’t left waiting for me. But healing does not follow a formula, and some sessions are going to run long—that’s okay. I would rather be late for my next session than leave you in a bad place. If you’re going to work with me, then I ask for your understanding if I need to be a bit late for our session because the person before you needed more support.

I’ll never end a session with someone feeling triggered or unsafe. My number one priority is making sure the people I work with leave our sessions feeling heard, supported, and hopeful.

Every client and every session is going to be different. We may have days when being in your body is too much, days when you just need to vent, or days when you don’t feel up to discussing heavier topics. That’s completely fine. All sessions are client-led, so you have the final say on where we go, what we talk about, and whether to include somatic experiencing and parts work.

I received my certification through the Global Trauma Institute (GTI). I am also certified in parts work, and I’ve trained with Somatic Experiencing International in somatic experiencing. I don’t want to list every course and certificate I’ve ever received, because I’m trying to break away from the practice of proving my worth through institutions. If you really want to know my whole educational background, I’ll happily tell you in our discovery call.

At this point, I conduct my appointments online over Google Meet. This lets me connect with people all over the world while also allowing my clients to stay within the safety of their own homes, where their grounding tools and resources can provide comfort in case of a difficult session. 

If you’re in the amiskwacîwâskahikan area, let me know if you’d prefer to meet in person. I don’t currently keep office space, but I’m happy to meet for a walking session in our beautiful river valley.

Yes, I offer sliding scale rates. However, I do not offer pro bono. I don’t believe anyone should work for free, and it’s taken a lot of years and a lot of burnout for me to realize my time is my most precious resource. The work I do takes energy out of me, so when I offer it, I expect an exchange of energy in return.

I never want finances to stop you from getting the help they need, so if you want to work with me and you don’t have the funds, let’s talk about what you do have. Reach out to me and we can work something out.

Unfortunately, the trauma recovery work I offer is not recognized by major health insurance providers at this time. Our sessions can typically be covered through a wellness spending account or personal spending account, but this depends on your plan. I recommend that you reach out to your insurance company to verify.

Not at all. Somatic experiencing and parts work have been helpful tools on my own trauma recovery journey, so I’m excited to share them with others. But I’ll never prescribe treatment or force you to do something you’re not comfortable with. I tailor my sessions for each person I work with, and you get to make the final call on what we do during our time together.