About Rebecca
A Somatic Psychotherapist, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and Truth Seeker in Asheville, NC
Delight:
Luckily my son was with me when this photo was taken. My expression of authentic delight was captured!
We all deserve to be seen, feel understood, accepted and welcomed.
A Little Bit About Rebecca’s Story.
Since I was a kid, I’ve always been on the lookout for something to fill the emptiness I felt inside. I felt lonely and sensitive, and disconnected from others. I wanted to understand myself better, and most importantly to feel less alone.
The start of discovery
At the age of 26, I woke up and realized that everything I was doing in my life was just to fit in with the world around me. My job in advertising in NYC, on the path to getting engaged, and pretending to be able to keep up with the fast paced city life, wasn’t any of what I truly wanted. The scarier thing was that I actually had no idea what I wanted.
Admitting that you are unhappy with your life is really hard, and making a change is even more difficult. In a lot of ways it’s easier to stay in silent pain. It takes a lot of courage to start asking yourself important questions such as What do I want?
But something inside me whispered that I needed out. And I listened. I dropped everything. I was more alone and uncertain than ever before. And I slowly began searching for my truth.
A time of expansion, not collapse (Though initially it looked a lot like collapse!)
I immersed myself in the lessons of great teachers, practiced yoga and meditation, and delved into spirituality. But despite my efforts, I still felt a deep sense of restlessness.
A changed orientation
The idea finally came to me while working on a farm in Argentina. I was exhausted. I realized, I was seeking something external to ‘fix me’, but the real answer was within me all along.
Through my own therapeutic journey I was able to shift my mindset from searching; to developing a nurturing and self-appreciative connection within myself. This change led to a radical shift in my relationship with the world. I became more curious, honest, relaxed and forgiving. This allowed me to approach life with greater intention, flexibility and vitality.
How this influences my work
I continue to deepen my connection with myself, and believe the healing journey of returning to your true self is one of the most fascinating adventures. And now I’ve discovered that one of my greatest gifts is empowering women to reclaim their inner wisdom and their powerful voice, allowing them to live from a place of intuition rather than fear.
Many of my clients share that working with me has helped them gain self-compassion, validation, and the support they lacked in their childhood. This has led to the development of a nurturing internal voice, fostering a deeper connection to their bodies, increased self-trust, and more effective communication in relationships. By working with me, clients have learned to prioritize their own needs and set clear boundaries, leading to a more empowered and fulfilling life.
More on my Approach
I work from an attachment lens which means I understand that early perceptions of rejection or abandonment can have a lasting impact on our adult relationships, how we see ourselves, and our ability to control our emotions and physical well-being. Insecure attachments can create a feeling of not belonging or being safe, making it more difficult to handle challenging situations and recover from them. And yet, healing experiences within the therapeutic relationship help build new pathways of feeling secure and safe. We can’t change what has happened in our past, but we’ve got the power in the present to heal and transform.
Our work together begins with a casual conversation to figure out what you want, what you need, and what challenges you are facing. Each session will meet you exactly where you are. Creating a trusting and encouraging environment to co-create an experience where I offer ideas, support and direction while honoring your inner wisdom. We will begin learning from your unique nervous system (finding both the ways you respond to stress and the ways you calm back down) to help find more ease and engagement within day to day living. Our focus may include helping you to recognize needs and build self expression, learn how to set and maintain healthy boundaries from a body centered place, and develop self-trust to interact more openly with the world.
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Qualifications/Credentials
BA in Psychology
Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2014)
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in the state of NC, License #A1106
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) - a 216-hour, 3 year Somatic Experiencing Professional Training Program focused on trauma healing and nervous system education for health professionals, Completed in 2018.
Safe and Sound Protocol Provider
EMDR Therapy Training Part 1 and Part 2 (2016)
Yoga Alliance Trained Yoga Teacher, 200 hours
Other core trainings that have nourished me throughout the years:
Certificate in Somatic Embodiment and Regulation Strategies" with Linda Thai (2023)
Patti Elledge’s Somatic Mentoring (2020)
DARe Somatic Attachment training Module 1 and 2 with Diane Poole Heller
Trauma Sensitive Yoga (2015)
In Progress: Neuroaffective Touch with Aline LaPierre (completed module 1), Dan Seigel’s Parenting from the Inside Out Course for MH Professionals
My approach is heavily influenced by training in attachment theory, polyvagal theory, neuroscience, mindfulness, yoga principles, meditation, trauma informed practices and somatic experiencing.
A deeper Glimpse into working with me
Being a mom is one of my most meaningful roles. And this identity comes with me to work in many ways. It’s important for the human spirit to embrace playfulness and connect with a sense of awe and wonder. And I believe that these elements have a valuable role in deep therapeutic work. Safety and self-love paves the way for joy, playfulness and creativity.
Also, thanks to being a mom, I get a lot of extra experience uncovering what is going on underneath behaviors. Finding the ‘why’ underlying what we do, helps us find the right supports and adjustments to meet unmet needs.
I’m relaxed and cozy in my office. And I prioritize nourishment and comfort alongside of profound healing work. You’ll often find me with barefeet and sitting crossed legged. I will always invite you to take off your shoes too, or grab an extra pillow, blanket or anything else that will add comfort to your experience. We accomplish so much more when we patiently slow down, notice, breathe, and establish resources of comfort and support.
