About Counseling
About Online Therapy for Expats
I've lived in a few different places around the world and know that it can be hard to find a good therapist!
Many of my clients are living outside of their home country: expats, digital nomads, or frequent travelers. Although some of the issues that come up are specific to this lifestyle (cultural adjustment, homesickness, working abroad, etc.), most of my clients work with me on anxiety, high sensitivity, or personal growth.
Online therapy is ideal for:
Anyone in a location where therapy with an English-speaking therapist is not available (such as expats and location independent professionals around the world)
Digital nomads who want a consistent therapist
International professionals who want to work with a therapist with international experience
Can you see me if I am in...
I am licensed in Wyoming, USA to practice counseling and in Belgium to practice psychotherapy. Depending on the laws where you are located, I may or may not be able to accept you as a client. This is a list of countries where I have researched the legalities and am able to provide you with psychotherapy. If you are not located in one of these countries, please reach out and I will investigate the legalities there.
Most EU countries
US- Wyoming
UK
Albania
Belgium
Bulgaria
Germany
Australia
Bolivia
Columbia
Denmark
Mexico
Norway
Paraguay
Portugal
Singapore
Thailand
Spain
Slovenia
Costa Rica
China
About My Counseling Approach
My approach is based on cutting-edge science and backed by ancient traditions. I am trained in mindfulness and somatic therapy and use both techniques to help you develop a deliberate relationship with your embodied emotions. Feeling your emotions in your body is a powerful way to work “bottom-up” to shift from anxiety to feeling safe and connected in a way that “top-down” approaches like talk therapy miss.
My main theoretical framework comes from Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB), a trauma informed theory that focuses on our relationship with the body and mind. By understanding the neurobiology of the brain and the way our minds and relationships shape that neurobiology, we can target interventions that change the brain and change lives! Mindfulness and somatic therapy are integral parts of utilizing IPNB as they have been shown to increase integration in the mind, brain, and relationships.
I also use the principles of energy psychology to understand and improve human functioning. This takes interpersonal neurobiology to the next level by not only considering thoughts and emotions but sensations and behaviors, too. This is what is known as the bioenergy system--some traditions call this prana, some chi. The energy part of this work focuses on how the bioenergy system interacts within your body & mind and between you and other people.
All of this sounds very individual, but I make sure to take into consideration the social and cultural aspects of my client's presenting issues as well. As a white, LGBTQ+, chronically ill woman, I strive to be aware of my privileges and how they affect my work with others. Mindfulness and mindsight may change our brains, but it won't change our socioeconomic or minority status. What it can do is give us the tools and the motivation to deal with life's stressors so we can talk about how to make wider change.
Because so many of our mental health issues today can be traced back to societal issues, I do not give DSM 5 diagnoses unless specifically asked and for a specific purpose. Instead I utilize the interpersonal neurobiology framework of disintegration along a continuum from chaos to rigidity. I also incorporate the Power-Threat-Meaning framework into my assessment and treatment where appropriate.
The core of interpersonal neurobiology is the triangle of wellbeing:
Mind
Body/Brain
Relationships
Neuroplasticity is a core tenant of interpersonal neurobiology. Neuroplasticity suggests that our brains can change based on our environment, including our relationships. Because the mind is defined as a relational process that regulates energy flow, our brains are constantly rewiring themselves. All relationships change the brain, particularly the most intimate ones, like the ones with our primary caregivers or romantic partners (or therapists).
To actively change our neurobiology, interpersonal neurobiology uses an intervention called mindsight.
“Mindsight” is a term coined by Dr. Dan Siegel to describe our human capacity to perceive the mind of the self and others. It is a powerful lens through which we can understand our inner lives with more clarity, integrate the brain, and enhance our relationships with others. Mindsight is a kind of focused attention that allows us to see the internal workings of our own minds.
Mindsight is a learnable skill. It is the basic skill that underlies what we mean when we talk about having emotional and social intelligence. When we develop the skill of mindsight, we actually change the physical structure of the brain. How we focus our attention shapes the structure of the brain (drdansiegel.com).
How I use Mindsight
I utilize somatic, trauma-informed interventions along with mindfulness to help you not only use your mind to focus attention, but also to utilize your body. This not only accelerates the changes in the brain, it gives an extra benefit of creating more integration than mindfulness alone.
Our counseling relationship is the key to all of this. A trusting, genuine, and safe relationship will allow you to delve deep into your hopes, dreams, fears, and limiting beliefs. It is in this place that mindsight can begin to develop.
Our Work Together
Building the therapeutic relationship is paramount to the success of our work together. Without the safe and trusting relationship, it is hard to make the sometimes scary changes necessary to move through trauma or difficult emotions and create the life we want. I want to meet you where you are and move forward from there.
I do believe that relationships take time to build and change takes time and effort; changes in symptoms are not always immediate. It is also important to know that change is a process and sometimes things get worse before they get better. This is normal, but it can be scary and uncomfortable. This is where our relationship will be the anchor to the work, helping you move through the difficult things from a safe place.
Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) is a scientific approach that studies how our brains and nervous systems work in relation to our relationships with others.
IPNB explores how our interactions with other people shape the development of our brains and our ability to regulate our emotions and behaviors. It recognizes that we are social creatures and that our brains are wired to respond to social interactions.
IPNB also highlights the importance of different parts of the brain working together in a coordinated way, known as integration. Integration is crucial for our overall well-being, as it helps us process and respond to complex social situations.
By understanding the complex interactions between our brains and our relationships with others, IPNB can help us improve our relationships and increase our overall well-being. This may include things like developing better communication skills, improving emotional regulation, and cultivating more compassionate and empathetic relationships with others.
Overall, IPNB offers a unique perspective on how our brains and our relationships with others are deeply intertwined and can help us better understand ourselves and our connections with others.