Welcome.

I offer relational therapy and trauma processing for teens and adults who are passionate, curious, idealistic, intense, and bright. Most of the people who I work with are (check one or all) Autistic, ADHD, borderline, highly sensitive, gifted, neuroqueer, and have experienced trauma - often quite extensive trauma. I work a lot with queer and trans folks as well. 

What theories or modalities do you use?

For most clients, we are working toward engaging in trauma processing. We may start there, or we may also need to do some stabilizing and skill building first. (And in practice it’s often not that linear – it’s pretty common to go back and forth on these components.)

I work mostly within two modalities:

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for skill building and stabilizing 

• Mentalization-based Narrative Exposure Therapy (MBNET) for trauma processing

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a comprehensive treatment designed to reduce suffering and life threatening behaviors, including chronic suicidality, and learn and practice new skills to cope through the ups and downs of life. The dialectical part refers to the practice of learning to hold two seemingly opposing truths, such as “I can be afraid and I can do the thing anyway,” “This trauma is not my fault and yet I am the only one who can address it,” or even “You’re trying as hard as you’re can and yet you need to do more.” Skills training in mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness are also part of DBT, and I find that these skills are especially helpful for those of us who always wanted a manual on this whole being-a-human thing. The goal of DBT is to equip you with what you need to build a life worth living – what that looks like is up to you. With some clients we will do a deep dive into DBT; for other folks, it will be more of the background informing my clinical thinking.

Mentalization-based Narrative Exposure Therapy is the modality I have found the most powerful and effective for trauma processing. This involves us identifying the traumatic or maybe just plain confusing memories you have, and deeply engaging with the memory. We’ll look at it from many angles. The mentalization part is where we develop understanding of the people involved in the memory: the perpetrators and any bystanders. This is so we can gain greater understanding of the harm that was done, not to try to feel more empathy for those who have hurt you or let you down – my experience has been that people are far too willing to give perpetrators the benefit of the doubt, at their own expense. (This work is also powerful for addressing harms we have done to others, or been complicit in.) Exposure – directly confronting what we’re afraid to look at – is well validated by research to address trauma. It’s also a hard thing to do! We’re innately inclined to avoid what hurts us. Turning around and looking at your trauma straight on is one of the bravest things you can do, and one of the most transformative.

I have also been trained and certified in EMDR and still find it useful in certain circumstances (mostly non relational trauma). I’m happy to talk more about my perspectives on this with prospective clients. 

What do you expect from clients?

Showing up, as fully as you can. This includes: reducing distractions during our sessions, taking care of your sensory and bodily needs before and during session, giving honest feedback, reflecting on our work between sessions, following up on resources that we have discussed, and reaching out for help as needed. (Sometimes building these skills is where we start in therapy.) Most of all, having just enough willingness to hang in and engage in the tough work of personal transformation. 

What can clients expect from you, Rhiannon?

Tender respect, which includes lovingly pointing out hard things. I am active in our sessions, meaning I offer more than just validation and reflection – I might suggest some skills, connect threads between sessions, bring up patterns I’m noticing, or give you some homework. I will challenge you, and welcome you to challenge me right back. We will also celebrate the heck out of your wins. 

I heavily invest in my continuing education, read a lot about my field, and do a lot of consultation and personal work; I take my work very seriously, and if I won the lottery tomorrow this is still what I would do with my life (though probably I’d get one of those really swanky chairs for my office). 

Working with neurodivergent clients as well as many chronically ill folks, I strive to make my practice accessible and work for both of us. I am adept at navigating tangents. I try to name usually unspoken expectations and norms in therapy, and welcome clarifying questions to help put you at ease.

How long will therapy take?

Each person’s journey is unique. Some clients will find what they need in working with me for a few months, while others may work with me for years. I am also happy to engage you in MBNET trauma processing as an adjunct to your therapy work with another clinician.

Do you write letters for gender affirming care?

I am happy to write these letters for folks, at no cost. 

Do you work with children? Do you do couples’ therapy?

I am only accepting adult and teen clients at this point.

I do not offer couples’ therapy.

I am happy to offer referrals if I can.