Be kind to me, or treat me mean. I'll make the most of it; I'm an Extraordinary Machine.

All humans have the capacity to handle and recover from trauma and stress. However we can get stuck having the same response in our minds and our bodies, or viewing the world through only one lens, after high-stress moments. Our natural rhythm of being able to move into and out of activation gets interrupted. At the root of all the work I do is this ability to be flexible in our reactions, to be able to notice each new moment and be able to respond to each new moment with what fits that moment (not moments from the past). So to me, a pendulum is a lovely image for that kind of resiliency. 

This can apply to things we typically think of as trauma. But we have a nervous system and a threat detection system every minute of every day, so even "small" moments like a disagreement with our boss or a traffic jam can cause our pendulum to swing in intense directions- fight, flight, fawn or freeze/shutdown. So a pendulum that can move through different states of seeking safety and settling applies to every moment of our life!

  I get it, it’s a strange name for a therapy practice. After all, humans aren’t machines, right? 

When I was thinking about a name for my practice, I wanted something that embodied my view of the tremendous capacity for human resilience (Extraordinary!).

I also wanted to express the personality of the work I do with clients. I’m a former white trash kid, recovering angsty goth, mechanically- and scientifically-inclined person and a pierced and tattooed professional.  Especially as an AFAB person, I used to be told I was too aloof, too logic-focused, too masculine "for a girl." So these days I embrace that, as a unique addition to the rainbow of human personalities. I also think that being authentic about who I am is a necessary step if I want my office to be a place where clients can be real.

I also have a strong passion that healing, growth, resilience, connection, and playfulness are the right of every single person on Earth. Even people who feel a little more gritty, logical, sarcastic, macabre, or mechanical.

 Not everyone feels at home with a nature theme and soft pastels, so here's a therapy practice for everyone else 😊