Embodied Emotional Processing

(Appointments held on Zoom)

What is EEP?

Our bodies are storehouses of emotion. We can see the intimate relationship between body and emotions through the simple example of tears. We feel sad (or deeply happy). Our bodies literally produce water out of our eyes in sympathy.

The way that our bodies and emotions ride right up on each other can be incredibly beautiful and really, really hard. When things hurt, the last place we want to be is here. So it’s pretty common that when we encounter our own difficulties, we may bail on ourselves.

But we know how to stay with others when they are suffering. How many of us have sat by a friend or a beloved pet when they are sick or grieving, maybe all night if necessary? Watching their breathing, asking what they need, listening hard. How many of us have learned to care for an elderly parent as they age and deteriorate and die? We make room in our lives and in ourselves to show up for these beings that we love. Can we do the same for ourselves? Can we learn to stay with ourselves through suffering?

 All the time, our bodies are giving us clues about what is really going on with us and what we really need. Sometimes, our mind is less than helpful, running along with the narratives we have told ourselves our whole lives. By learning to tune in to our own body’s clues,  and get under the narrative, we are developing our ability to listen, and then stay with ourselves. By learning the signals of our own nervous systems, we learn to companion ourselves through joy and difficulty.

Through working with ourselves in an embodied way, we expand our capacity for staying and supporting. By holding space for our whole selves in this way, we are telling ourselves over and over, “I am right here. I care about your suffering.”

In Embodied Emotional Processing we are holding space for ourselves to notice, to listen and to stay.

  Technically speaking…

Embodied Emotional Processing (EEP) is a somatic psychotherapeutic practice created by me. I am an EEP Coach. This practice has its roots in Jungian Analysis and dream work, Somatic Experiencing, BodySoul Rhythms, Authentic Movement, MBSR, BodyDreaming, and Process Work.

The strongest influences on the creation of EEP have been the work of Jungian Analyst, Marion Woodman and Jungian Analyst and Somatic Therapist, Marian Dunlea (who was a student of Woodman’s). For the last 8 years, I have been training in BodyDreaming, the somatic-psychotherapeutic technique developed by Dunlea over the course of her long and diverse career. My studies with Dunlea have culminated in a 3-year certification process in this technique.

BodyDreaming combines the new and ever growing fields of neuro-science, poly-vagal theory, somatic psychotherapy, trauma therapy, attachment therapy and creative therapies. All of this informs my EEP Coaching practice.

More personally, EEP comes out of my own life-long experiences, and sometimes deep struggles, with the relationship between my body and my mind. My search to understand myself and find stability and support within myself have led me to study yoga, Feldenkrais, Authentic Movement, Spontaneous Voicing, Yoga Nidra and MBSR. These all come to play in my work. And I am still studying.

For more information, you may love reading this award winning book written by my long-time teacher and mentor, Marian Dunlea, “Bodydreaming in the Treatment of Developmental Trauma.”

What does an EEP session look like?

First off, sessions are conducted over Zoom, so no matter where you are, we can connect. I always start my sessions with a short, guided, embodied mediation, just to allow us to “arrive” and get present with ourselves. This may be relaxing and slow or it may involve movement…it depends on your body and your system in the moment.

In any given session we might talk about a problem you need support with, a dream you have had, basically anything you seek out traditional mental health support for…but after a little talking, we try to dive under the narrative to really get at the experience you are having and work with that in an embodied way. It is important for me to say that this is not trauma-chasing or catharsis. Yes, we will work with difficult things that are going on in your life, but we will do so in a way that tries to avoid overwhelm, and instead builds strength and stability.

The body gives clear cues about what is going on deep in your mind and heart. We are developing our capacity to notice those clues, be present with them and follow them where they want to take us…inevitably they will lead us into a new and deeper understanding of ourselves.

 Who can benefit from EEP?

Anyone who is looking for mental health support and who values exploring the relationship between their emotional, mental and physical experience.

My practice is open and inclusive. I welcome all the shapes, sizes, and definitions.

I also particularly love working with women. Historically, our voices have suffered the most from repression and suppression. Our physical realities have been deeply judged and are often characterized by trauma. So much history has been spent trying to erase our inner experience, that we have learned to erase ourselves. I feel very deeply the necessity of safe emotional spaces for female-identified bodies.

*I am not a licensed psychotherapist, I am a coach. If you suffer from a diagnosed clinical mental disorder, please seek appropriate help from a licensed clinician.

All EEP sessions are held on ZOOM. This allows anyone, anywhere to receive the support of EEP.

Massage

(Multiple locations available)

UT License#364975-4701

I graduated from the Utah College of Massage Therapy (UCMT) in 1998. Raised in a family of chiropractors and alternative health- care practitioners, I have been practicing massage for 26 years. I specialize in deep tissue massage, but after 26 years experience with a wide variety of clients, my style is my own. I have learned to listen to each individual body in order to hear what it needs. My style blends deep tissue, Swedish, reflexology, trigger point, contract/release, acupressure, cranial sacral…and a little bit from every massage I have ever received.

I have worked extensively with an aging population, so I have a lot of experience helping people recuperate from surgeries, hip replacements and knee replacements. I have continued education training in addressing carpal tunnel and sciatica. On the other end of the spectrum, I love working with pregnant moms, new moms, children and babies.

Basically, if you have a body that needs help, I want to help. Whoever you are, whatever shape you are, however you identify yourself, I want to be a safe space for your embodied self.