Restoring Serenity: A Heart's Refuge, LLC

I know that you’ve been carrying a heavy load for far too long, and it’s time to let some of that weight go. You want to feel safe in your own skin, to breathe easily, and to reconnect with the parts of yourself that feel lost. You deserve a space where your experiences are honored, your pain is understood, and your healing is supported. Together, we can work towards finding that peace, helping you to navigate through the shadows and into a life that feels vibrant and whole. You’re not alone, and the journey to healing doesn’t have to be taken alone either. Welcome to a haven of healing and empowerment. I want to thank you for entrusting me with the opportunity to support you on your journey towards healing and growth. Areas of Expertise: My work with my clients helps them to feel safe, seen, and heard. I specialize in providing mental health counseling services for individuals facing a range of challenges. My areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, trauma, agoraphobia, life transitions, PTSD, social anxiety, transgender issues, work-related stress, burnout, and benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome recovery. I am dedicated to helping you find the support you need to overcome these obstacles and thrive. Therapeutic Framework: Healthy regulation of the nervous system is essential to our well being. In order to support the healthy regulation of our nervous system we need to be aware of what’s happening in our body. Polyvagal Therapy is a form of counseling rooted in the Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges. This therapeutic approach focuses on understanding and regulating the autonomic nervous system, which plays a crucial role in our emotional well-being and how we respond to stress. Deb Dana, Ph.D. describes Polyvagal Theory as "the science of feeling safe enough to fall in love with life and take the risks of living". In our work together, we will focus on understanding how your nervous system responds to stress and trauma. We'll work together to create a safe and supportive environment where you can learn to regulate your nervous system, increase awareness of your body's responses, and develop skills for managing difficult emotions. Through somatic exercises and mindfulness techniques, I will help you to rewrite your nervous system's story and cultivate new pathways for healing. Through regulating your nervous system, you'll create resilience in navigating life's challenges, and capacity for fostering connections that promote well-being. This is beneficial for everyone, especially those dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, or challenges in forming and maintaining healthy relationships. My View on the Nature of "Disorders": I want you to know that I do not pathologize human experience. In my practice, I see mental health through a different lens- not as a list of disorders, but as a reflection of nervous system dysregulation. Nervous system dysregulation occurs naturally and normally, in response to stress and trauma. You are not broken. I'm all about understanding how our emotions connect with our nervous system. When things feel off-kilter, like anxiety or low moods, it's often our nervous system trying to tell us something, and it is doing what it is designed to do- which is to keep you safe. Problems only arise when the nervous system becomes inflexible or 'stuck' in a dysregulated state, or is responding to the present moment as if something from the past is still occurring. My Therapeutic Style: I describe my therapeutic style as humanistic and compassion-focused. A humanistic style of therapy centers on you, the client, and your journey towards self-discovery and growth. You can rely on me to offer a safe, supportive space where you're encouraged to explore your thoughts and feelings while I provide empathy and guidance. My aim is to help you gain insight, build self-awareness, and move towards living a more authentic and fulfilling life. Compassion-focused therapy helps you develop self-compassion, allowing you to approach your inner struggles with kindness and understanding. By fostering a more nurturing relationship with yourself, you'll build emotional resilience and improve your overall mental well-being. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, or self-esteem issues, CFT can provide you with the tools to lead a more compassionate and fulfilling life. When integrated with Polyvagal-Informed Therapy, which focuses on regulating the nervous system and enhancing feelings of safety, this approach enables deeper healing. Together, these therapies create a supportive environment where you can navigate your emotions, calm your nervous system, and build a more compassionate, balanced life. This holistic combination empowers you to address the roots of your struggles and achieve lasting well-being. Education, Licensure, and Certifications: Master of the Arts in Psychology with a Concentration in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling- The New School for Social Research Clinical Psychology Externship- Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center, NYC Clinical Psychology Externship- South Beach Psychiatric Center, NYC Florida State Registered Mental Health Counselor Internship Florida State Licensed Mental Health Counselor- License # MH23557 Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) Certification Trainings: Polyvagal Theory- Stephen Porges, Ph.D. Polyvagal Theory in Practice for Trauma- Deb Dana, Ph.D. Creating a Story of Safety: A Polyvagal Guide to Managing Anxiety- Deb Dana, Ph.D. Polyvagal Learning Labs Series 1- Deb Dana, Ph.D. Polyvagal Theory & Neuroscience for Trauma & Anxiety- Sherrie All, Ph.D. How The Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness- Peter Levine, Ph.D. Overcoming Trauma-Related Shame and Self-Loathing- Janina Fisher, Ph.D. Expert Strategies for Working with Traumatic Memory- Ruth Buczynski, Ph.D, Peter Levine, Ph.D., Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., & Pat Ogden, Ph.D.