B Messy Therapy

Specialties & Special Interests

Pet Loss, Anticipatory grief & Bereavement Recovery

There is a reason why dogs have the nickname man's best friend. The bond between a person and their pet can be just as strong as any human relationship.

For this reason, the loss of a pet is an often undervalued and yet terrible pain which every pet-owner experiences. Feelings of guilt, deep sadness, emptiness, anger, and hopelessness can be become difficult to navigate after our loved one's passing.

This grief can hit particularly bad when the pet you are losing is a Service, ESA, or Working / Veteran K9 . For this reason, I have undergone specialized training to work with Veterans and First Responders as well as have ample experience working with Service and ESA animals personally and professionally.

This bond can also be used within therapy to help you achieve the growth you are looking for. I have specialized training to implement therapeutic practices between you and your pet for lasting growth. *Animals must be approved to join therapy.*

Specialized training and experience I have for Pet Loss and Bereavement recovery:

Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP) trained
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement Member
Human-Animal Interaction: Section 13 of Division 17 of the American Psychological Association Member
Animal-Assisted Therapy Trained
Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Therapy Pet Unlimited Evaluator
Association of Professional Dog Trainers Member
International Association of Canine Professionals Member
Exotic Animal Training and Management Graduate
Animal Emergency Veterinary office experience
Zoo experience
Avid animal lover

Compassion Fatigue / Burn -out Recovery

People get into working with animals and/or helping professions because they care. Sometimes, especially recently, this passion can drive us to the brink of extinction. Excessive tiredness, callousness, guilt, irritability, wariness, depression, and/or a sense of doom can consume us. Symptoms such as flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and hypervigilance can be just as severe as any war veteran's Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have many years of experience working in animal care positions such as in a zoo, critical animal emergency veterinary office, and animal trainer. I also have experience as a therapist in underprivileged communities, rehabs, and private practice. I know the struggle, I know the pain, I know the silent suffering that can spill out onto your loved ones. I know what it is like to doubt yourself, your abilities, and whether or not "all of it" even matters. I can help you get back to being the person you want to be with a new sense of Compassion Satisfaction.

Specialized training and experience I have for Compassion Fatigue:

Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional
Certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (Currently the leading treatment related to Trauma).
SafeTALK trained
EMDR Therapy for Suicidal Clients, Self-harming behaviors and Borderline Personality training
Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement Member
Human-Animal Interaction: Section 13 of Division 17 of the American Psychological Association Member
Animal-Assisted Therapy Trained
Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Therapy Pet Unlimited Evaluator
Association of Professional Dog Trainers Member
International Association of Canine Professionals Member
Exotic Animal Training and Management Graduate
Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP) trained
Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP) trained
Animal Emergency Veterinary staff
Zookeeping experience
Intensive Out-Patient Services Therapist for transitional age youth and adults (Field therapist)
Residential addiction center staff predominantly serving mandated, homeless, and those unable to pay for services.

Trauma Recovery

As we write the story of our life it is common to experience events which rock us to our core. These events can range from seemingly small to insurmountably huge. When experiences negatively affect the way we view ourselves, our lives, and/or our view of the world, it can lead us to feel unhappy and unfulfilled. Your experiences can not break you. I can help you feel whole and worthy again.

Specialized training I have for traumatic experiences:

Certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (Currently the leading treatment related to Trauma).
SafeTALK trained
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention trained
Abortion, Grief and Loss trained
Implicit Bias training
Association for Multicultural Counseling Development Member
EMDR Therapy for Suicidal Clients, Self-harming behaviors and Borderline Personality training
Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training
Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP) trained
Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP) trained

Religious, Spiritual, and High Control Group Trauma and Abuse Recovery

Individuals exiting / living in the world after being connected to a high-control group often grapple with a complex web of considerations including trauma, mistrust (particularly of authority figures and health care professionals like myself), internalized negative messages, and navigating the outside world. This population are some of the most in need of help but struggle to acquire it due to internalizing the negative messages of their group that therapy is inherently bad. Therapeutic language often mirrors the manipulative techniques used by high-control groups further distancing survivors from support.

My goals for therapy are your goals for therapy. I am more than happy to move as slowly or as quickly as you would like. At your pace, I will work to rebuild your trust (while maintaining your ability to decipher who is and is not trust worthy), reprocess your traumatic experiences and internalized messages, help you further develop your autonomy, and connect with your Self after the group identity.

Specialized training I have for High Control Group experiences:

Certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (Currently the leading treatment related to Trauma).
Active Member of International Cultic Studies Association and regularly attendee of conferences.
Member of Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling
Member of International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation
Member of International Association for Resilience and Trauma Counseling
Member of Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and gender Expansive Identities
Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP) trained
Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP) trained

Adult Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

Are you navigating the unique landscape of life with ADHD, diagnosed or undiagnosed? As a therapist with ADHD, I understand firsthand the challenges and the incredible strengths that come with it. My personal journey has equipped me with insights that go beyond textbooks (but don't worry, I've read all those too) allowing me to offer empathetic and effective support.

I believe in celebrating the creativity, passion, and out-of-the-box thinking that ADHD can bring. My approach focuses on identifying and harnessing these strengths while developing strategies to manage the challenges. I also believe that going through this world with an ADHD brain can be inherently traumatic for us. I don't believe I have ever met an ADHD person that didn't believe deep down "there is something wrong with me". For this reason, I also strive to help desensitize the harmful messages and traumatic experiences you have gained along the way. My intention is to help you get back to living as authentically as you want to, not to make your amazing brain conform to what society says it should be. Learning how to work with your ADHD rather than against it, learning self compassion and love, and teaching the occasional tip/trick to outsmart yourself can be everything. Afterall, I honestly believe we are on this Earth to Be Messy!

Please note: I do not provide ADHD assessments or diagnoses. If you suspect you have ADHD and would like a formal diagnosis I recommend seeking an evaluation from a specifically trained and qualified professional.