Business Details
50 Years
experience
Compassionate Psychotherapy & Grief Counseling in Santa Cruz
With over five decades of experience as a licensed psychotherapist, I have dedicated my career to guiding individuals through grief, loss, and transformative life challenges. My practice integrates evidence-based therapeutic modalities with creative and spiritual approaches, drawing from my extensive work as an author, educator, and workshop leader. Specializing in grief counseling, I help clients navigate the complexities of emotional healing through personalized strategies, including EMDR, sandplay therapy, and mindfulness practices. My approach emphasizes creating a safe, compassionate space for clients to explore their inner worlds, resolve unresolved trauma, and reconnect with their innate capacity for joy and resilience.As an adjunct faculty member at institutions like John F. Kennedy University and the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, I have shared my expertise with students and professionals alike. My commitment to holistic healing is reflected in my books, which offer practical tools for transforming grief into personal growth. Whether through individual sessions, workshops, or international retreats, I empower clients to embrace lifes transitions with courage and self-compassion.
Services
Psychotherapy
Grief Counseling
EMDR Therapy
Sandplay Therapy
Workshops & Retreats
Trauma Recovery
Dream Work
Mindfulness Practices
Relationship Counseling
Spiritual Guidance
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- We offer 50+ years of specialized expertise in grief and trauma therapy.
- Our personalized approach integrates EMDR, sandplay, and mindfulness techniques.
- We provide evidence-based strategies for healing unresolved emotional wounds.
- Our workshops and retreats foster global cultural and spiritual growth.
- We combine clinical excellence with compassionate, client-centered care.
Associations and certifications
- California Board of Behavioral Sciences
What people say
Life-changing guidance
Compassionate support
Profound healing
Transformative insights
Safe healing space
Services
Psychotherapy
Personalized psychotherapy sessions address anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions through evidence-based techniques. Clients receive tailored treatment plans integrating cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and somatic approaches. Sessions emphasize building resilience and improving emotional well-being through collaborative goal-setting and skill development.
Grief Counseling
Specialized grief counseling helps clients navigate bereavement through structured strategies like sanctuary creation and inner relationship work. Sessions focus on processing complex emotions, resolving unresolved grief, and transforming loss into personal growth. Techniques include guided meditations and experiential exercises for emotional healing.
EMDR Therapy
EMDR sessions reprocess traumatic memories using bilateral stimulation to reduce emotional distress. This evidence-based approach addresses PTSD symptoms, childhood trauma, and anxiety disorders. Clients develop coping mechanisms while processing distressing experiences in a safe therapeutic environment.
Sandplay Therapy
Sandplay therapy utilizes miniature objects and sand trays to facilitate non-verbal emotional expression. This Jungian-based approach helps clients explore subconscious patterns through symbolic play. Sessions promote self-discovery and healing for both children and adults experiencing emotional challenges.
Workshops & Retreats
Global workshops combine cultural immersion with therapeutic practices focusing on grief, spirituality, and personal transformation. Programs include guided meditations, group discussions, and experiential exercises. Retreats offer immersive healing experiences in locations like Bali, emphasizing cross-cultural spiritual practices and community support.
Questions
What therapeutic approaches do you specialize in?
I integrate EMDR, sandplay therapy, mindfulness, and dream work with traditional psychotherapy to address grief, trauma, and life transitions.
How can grief counseling benefit me?
My approach helps you process loss safely, resolve unresolved emotions, and transform grief into personal growth through tailored strategies.
Do you offer international retreats?
Yes, I lead cultural-spiritual journeys like the Balinese Rites of Passage retreat focusing on healing and transformation.
Are virtual therapy sessions available?
Yes, I offer Zoom sessions for clients seeking grief counseling and psychotherapy remotely.
What books address grief recovery?
My books include 'Honoring Grief,' 'The Infinite Thread,' and 'How to Grieve What We've Lost' for evidence-based healing strategies.
How do you handle complex trauma cases?
I combine EMDR, trauma-informed therapy, and somatic approaches to address complex trauma and its emotional impacts.
