Individual & Group Wellness Services
What is the story behind becoming a "Coffee Shop Therapist" & what services do I offer?
As I sat in my office, I looked at the walls and I saw them for the box that they were…the ways they insulated me and my clients from fully being, embodying, and connecting to the truth and power of who we were. The walls of my office spoke to the metaphor of division between what happened in session to what happened or could happen in the real world. It took more work and wasting more time for both of us to make that bridge and integrate those skills and experiences from the office to their communities, their back yards, and their daily lives.
In my own healing, growth and recovery, I found some of my most transformational work to occur within nature, in my community, or in the support and presence of others. I always desired to connect people more to nature to simply observe and experience the power of reciprocal exchange of support and healing; however, I struggled to take this leap and take my sessions beyond the office.
It always takes a catalyst, and for me it was a broken building elevator and an office on the 16th floor which lead to a spur of the moment decision to hold my sessions for the day in a coffee shop. All of my clients reported feeling more at ease, more like themselves. They spoke more authentically as I watched their walls come down.
At one point a client started to feel more vulnerable as she spoke of her fears of being seen, heard, and ultimately existing in a space with others. I asked her to explore these fears and see how rational they were and to look at the potential and realistic consequences of being seen and heard in public. The coffee shop was becoming a natural representation of the fears she had battled her entire life – of existing in a space with others, of being vulnerable and recognizing that she had the power to handle that, to protect herself IF needed. The tears flowed as she realized how irrational these fears were and how she didn’t have to hide. What REALLY was going to happen if people saw her? Likely, not much. In addition, I expressed to her, “what if the people in the coffee shop heard and saw the courageous and powerful work you are doing to grow and they become inspired, or connected to something about their own experiences?” A light bulb went off as she realized for the first time that it’s not only ok for her to exist, furthermore, her existence might actually matter and it may matter enough to truly help and inspire others. Now the tears really flowed. Out of the several years of her seeing me in the office, this was the most transformational moment she had ever had…in a coffee shop. I truly believe we wouldn’t have gotten to that level of profound work if we weren’t meeting in a real life scenario where the core of her issues were manifesting AND she wouldn’t have had the immediate REAL world situation to integrate the experience into. She INSISTED on never seeing me in the office again.
When my work is focused on truly HELPING YOU, I need to listen to what the help actually is, not what my profession, or my own mind thinks it should be. We need to listen. My value is to truly help you get better, not just treat symptoms, not just help you feel better or simply manage your life better. All of that is great, and I believe that is not enough to truly get to a place where you feel fulfilled and are truly thriving in your lives. We can all do better, as a profession, and as individuals in our growth. I want to support that.
So, I decided to let go of my office and step out into the real world with my clients in their natural environment, in their communities, and without the pretenses that the office setting automatically creates when they walk in the door.
Referring to myself as the "Coffee Shop Therapist" reflects that I am stepping out of the office, out of the box, and taking my sessions with you to coffee shops or to the park to support you in relaxing and just being yourself.
The power of being in the park and with Nature and the elements is that it helps you to connect with your own inner nature, your harmony, your power, as well as reflecting back to you what is in disharmony or distress and providing insight into some of the problems you are experiencing as well as the potential solutions. When we actually take the time to pause and to be present and in our senses when we look to nature, it is hard to not see ourselves. There is healing in that and it connects you to a profound resource that is accessible no matter where you are.
How is your privacy affected by seeing me at the park or coffee shops?
I know what you might be thinking…”What about my privacy?”, “What if people see me cry or hear me talk about my problems?”, “I am not sure I will be comfortable in a public setting”, “What if I run into someone I know?”
First, I think its good you are thinking about whether this is a fit for you, because it won’t be for everyone. I encourage you to honor what feels right for you, and also not settle with what feels the most comfortable, because we only really experience change through courageously approaching and stepping beyond our discomfort.
Second, when was the last time you were meeting with friends for dinner or coffee or taking a walk in the park and you were talking about the drama in your life? Most of us already do this. When you did so, did you notice anyone around you even paying attention to you? If they did, what did they do?
I have already piloted this, personally. I can think of countless times I have been confiding with a friend or family member in those public settings, typically emotional and crying, and NOT ONE other person even noticed me. On occasion, someone did and they did the respectful thing and went about their business. Most people have ear phones in, are having other conversations, or are focusing on the things that matter to them (which, by the way, is not gonna be your life problems!).
Sometimes I have been in those vulnerable situations with loved ones and strangers have visibly been inspired by it. In those instances, I experienced community, even with strangers. An unspoken sense that we are all in the same boat here and that my tears could as easily be hers. And…that’s the point. We are not isolated. We are not alone. We are not divided. We do not need to hide. We can respect each other and ask for respect.
Third, we are all the keepers of our privacy and the boundaries that enable us to feel safe and ok, including what we share, where we share it, and to whom. This applies whether you are in the office, the park, or a coffee shop with your therapist, your friend, or your family. What I will support you in is knowing what works for you and looking at expanding or holding your boundaries as they are. Sometimes we have fears of being seen or heard that echo patterns in life, where we have struggled to show up, to exist, to be a presence that is respected, that is equal, that matters. What I have found with those who have considered or had sessions in the park or coffee shop is that it naturally creates an opportunity for them to receive support in working through these issues and having transformation by seeing that they can take up space and it is ok. Ultimately, I am here to support your safety, to honor your choices and limitations, and to nudge you when you feel ok to step out of your comfort zone.
Also, I will not disclose being your therapist in these settings – I will still uphold confidentiality in that way. As far as I am concerned, I am taking a walk in the park or meeting at the coffee shop with my friend and if asked, that’s what I will say.
What other training and experience do I have that I will integrate in our sessions?
Integrating complementary healing techniques with traditional psychotherapy methods, I have sustained a private practice by effectively supporting clients in alleviating symptoms by identifying root issues, not just treating symptoms, and by teaching skills to remove and prevent blocks to being well.
My background and specialty as a therapist and a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker - board certified) has been in treating issues related to trauma and PTSD, eating disorders, addictions, pain and disease management and grief and loss. I utilize therapeutic approaches that include a blend of traditional psychotherapy methods such as Internal Family Systems, gestalt, EFT, existentialism, trauma processing with complementary techniques such as body/energy work, spirituality, Reiki, aromatherapy, meditation, earth-based techniques, shamanic practices and drumming to support identification of and release of core blocks to wellness. Oftentimes, I refer to this style of therapy as "Integrative Psychotherapy", it could also be considered "Transpersonal Psychotherapy".
I am certified as a Reiki Master, completing four levels of training. Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that works with the energy you hold in your body or the energy around you to support your body to utilize it's natural healing abilities. Reiki is also very useful to support relaxation. As a Reiki Master I can also teach reiki to other professionals.
I am currently in a Shamanism Apprenticeship through the American Shamanism Movement in Pittsburgh since Jan 2018 to support my own growth as well as to integrate some of these teachings and practices into my healing work with clients which include ancestral healing, shamanic journeying, drumming for healing, among other things.
What is my End Game?
As I sat in my office, I looked at the walls and I saw them for the box that they were…the ways they insulated me and my clients from fully being, embodying, and connecting to the truth and power of who we were. The walls of my office spoke to the metaphor of division between what happened in session to what happened or could happen in the real world. It took more work and wasting more time for both of us to make that bridge and integrate those skills and experiences from the office to their communities, their back yards, and their daily lives.
In my own healing, growth and recovery, I found some of my most transformational work to occur within nature, in my community, or in the support and presence of others. I always desired to connect people more to nature to simply observe and experience the power of reciprocal exchange of support and healing; however, I struggled to take this leap and take my sessions beyond the office.
It always takes a catalyst, and for me it was a broken building elevator and an office on the 16th floor which lead to a spur of the moment decision to hold my sessions for the day in a coffee shop. All of my clients reported feeling more at ease, more like themselves. They spoke more authentically as I watched their walls come down.
At one point a client started to feel more vulnerable as she spoke of her fears of being seen, heard, and ultimately existing in a space with others. I asked her to explore these fears and see how rational they were and to look at the potential and realistic consequences of being seen and heard in public. The coffee shop was becoming a natural representation of the fears she had battled her entire life – of existing in a space with others, of being vulnerable and recognizing that she had the power to handle that, to protect herself IF needed. The tears flowed as she realized how irrational these fears were and how she didn’t have to hide. What REALLY was going to happen if people saw her? Likely, not much. In addition, I expressed to her, “what if the people in the coffee shop heard and saw the courageous and powerful work you are doing to grow and they become inspired, or connected to something about their own experiences?” A light bulb went off as she realized for the first time that it’s not only ok for her to exist, furthermore, her existence might actually matter and it may matter enough to truly help and inspire others. Now the tears really flowed. Out of the several years of her seeing me in the office, this was the most transformational moment she had ever had…in a coffee shop. I truly believe we wouldn’t have gotten to that level of profound work if we weren’t meeting in a real life scenario where the core of her issues were manifesting AND she wouldn’t have had the immediate REAL world situation to integrate the experience into. She INSISTED on never seeing me in the office again.
When my work is focused on truly HELPING YOU, I need to listen to what the help actually is, not what my profession, or my own mind thinks it should be. We need to listen. My value is to truly help you get better, not just treat symptoms, not just help you feel better or simply manage your life better. All of that is great, and I believe that is not enough to truly get to a place where you feel fulfilled and are truly thriving in your lives. We can all do better, as a profession, and as individuals in our growth. I want to support that.
So, I decided to let go of my office and step out into the real world with my clients in their natural environment, in their communities, and without the pretenses that the office setting automatically creates when they walk in the door.
Referring to myself as the "Coffee Shop Therapist" reflects that I am stepping out of the office, out of the box, and taking my sessions with you to coffee shops or to the park to support you in relaxing and just being yourself.
The power of being in the park and with Nature and the elements is that it helps you to connect with your own inner nature, your harmony, your power, as well as reflecting back to you what is in disharmony or distress and providing insight into some of the problems you are experiencing as well as the potential solutions. When we actually take the time to pause and to be present and in our senses when we look to nature, it is hard to not see ourselves. There is healing in that and it connects you to a profound resource that is accessible no matter where you are.
How is your privacy affected by seeing me at the park or coffee shops?
I know what you might be thinking…”What about my privacy?”, “What if people see me cry or hear me talk about my problems?”, “I am not sure I will be comfortable in a public setting”, “What if I run into someone I know?”
First, I think its good you are thinking about whether this is a fit for you, because it won’t be for everyone. I encourage you to honor what feels right for you, and also not settle with what feels the most comfortable, because we only really experience change through courageously approaching and stepping beyond our discomfort.
Second, when was the last time you were meeting with friends for dinner or coffee or taking a walk in the park and you were talking about the drama in your life? Most of us already do this. When you did so, did you notice anyone around you even paying attention to you? If they did, what did they do?
I have already piloted this, personally. I can think of countless times I have been confiding with a friend or family member in those public settings, typically emotional and crying, and NOT ONE other person even noticed me. On occasion, someone did and they did the respectful thing and went about their business. Most people have ear phones in, are having other conversations, or are focusing on the things that matter to them (which, by the way, is not gonna be your life problems!).
Sometimes I have been in those vulnerable situations with loved ones and strangers have visibly been inspired by it. In those instances, I experienced community, even with strangers. An unspoken sense that we are all in the same boat here and that my tears could as easily be hers. And…that’s the point. We are not isolated. We are not alone. We are not divided. We do not need to hide. We can respect each other and ask for respect.
Third, we are all the keepers of our privacy and the boundaries that enable us to feel safe and ok, including what we share, where we share it, and to whom. This applies whether you are in the office, the park, or a coffee shop with your therapist, your friend, or your family. What I will support you in is knowing what works for you and looking at expanding or holding your boundaries as they are. Sometimes we have fears of being seen or heard that echo patterns in life, where we have struggled to show up, to exist, to be a presence that is respected, that is equal, that matters. What I have found with those who have considered or had sessions in the park or coffee shop is that it naturally creates an opportunity for them to receive support in working through these issues and having transformation by seeing that they can take up space and it is ok. Ultimately, I am here to support your safety, to honor your choices and limitations, and to nudge you when you feel ok to step out of your comfort zone.
Also, I will not disclose being your therapist in these settings – I will still uphold confidentiality in that way. As far as I am concerned, I am taking a walk in the park or meeting at the coffee shop with my friend and if asked, that’s what I will say.
What other training and experience do I have that I will integrate in our sessions?
Integrating complementary healing techniques with traditional psychotherapy methods, I have sustained a private practice by effectively supporting clients in alleviating symptoms by identifying root issues, not just treating symptoms, and by teaching skills to remove and prevent blocks to being well.
My background and specialty as a therapist and a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker - board certified) has been in treating issues related to trauma and PTSD, eating disorders, addictions, pain and disease management and grief and loss. I utilize therapeutic approaches that include a blend of traditional psychotherapy methods such as Internal Family Systems, gestalt, EFT, existentialism, trauma processing with complementary techniques such as body/energy work, spirituality, Reiki, aromatherapy, meditation, earth-based techniques, shamanic practices and drumming to support identification of and release of core blocks to wellness. Oftentimes, I refer to this style of therapy as "Integrative Psychotherapy", it could also be considered "Transpersonal Psychotherapy".
I am certified as a Reiki Master, completing four levels of training. Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that works with the energy you hold in your body or the energy around you to support your body to utilize it's natural healing abilities. Reiki is also very useful to support relaxation. As a Reiki Master I can also teach reiki to other professionals.
I am currently in a Shamanism Apprenticeship through the American Shamanism Movement in Pittsburgh since Jan 2018 to support my own growth as well as to integrate some of these teachings and practices into my healing work with clients which include ancestral healing, shamanic journeying, drumming for healing, among other things.
What is my End Game?
- To step out of our boxes and limitations
- To get real with you
- To get to the root issues of your problems from a holistic approach
- To connect you with resources and skills that you can immediately use in your daily life
- To bridge community to you
- To equip you with the skills and experiences that can help you transform your life, your relationships, your environment and your community.
Individual Services
Nature Therapy or Coffee Shop Therapy Sessions ($120 for 60 min)* - bridging various treatment modalities (traditional and nontraditional) to support your wellness. Including Meditation Instruction, Aromatherapy, reiki, body-centered approaches & mindfulness practices among others to support growth, transformation and healing.
Reiki Energy Healing Sessions ($70 for 50 min) - Energy is all around us and in us. Reiki is a traditional Japanese method where I am connecting to pure, vital energy and using this for identifying, assessing, and supporting the removal of blocks to your well-being as well as supporting your experience of balance, grounding, enhanced well-being and relaxation. Provided to all ages. Sessions are held at Coffee Shop or at Park.
Aromatherapy Consultation ($35)- General assessment will be made of your current holistic needs and based on these considerations, an aromatherapy blend will be recommended and provided to complement current wellness practices as an adjunct and support to the work you are doing. A blend will be tailored to your unique needs and provided in safe dilution. This service DOES NOT require you to be seen in person. All information will be gathered by phone or email to make the blend.
*Reduced Rates on a Sliding Scale available for Therapy Sessions - Based on Income. Please inquire.*
*Nature Therapy Sessions are held at Frick Environmental Center in Squirrel Hill and are held RAIN or SHINE. There are some indoor features at the center that we can utilize if needed, but please dress according to the demands and changes of the outdoors.
*Coffee Shop Therapy Sessions held in the Squirrel Hill area (Dobra Tea, Commonplace Coffee, Brueggers Bagels, and other options).
*Flexible availability on weekdays, evenings & weekends to accommodate your schedule.
Limited access and availability on Tuesday evenings in an office space in Squirrel Hill if you do require an office setting.
Reiki Energy Healing Sessions ($70 for 50 min) - Energy is all around us and in us. Reiki is a traditional Japanese method where I am connecting to pure, vital energy and using this for identifying, assessing, and supporting the removal of blocks to your well-being as well as supporting your experience of balance, grounding, enhanced well-being and relaxation. Provided to all ages. Sessions are held at Coffee Shop or at Park.
Aromatherapy Consultation ($35)- General assessment will be made of your current holistic needs and based on these considerations, an aromatherapy blend will be recommended and provided to complement current wellness practices as an adjunct and support to the work you are doing. A blend will be tailored to your unique needs and provided in safe dilution. This service DOES NOT require you to be seen in person. All information will be gathered by phone or email to make the blend.
*Reduced Rates on a Sliding Scale available for Therapy Sessions - Based on Income. Please inquire.*
*Nature Therapy Sessions are held at Frick Environmental Center in Squirrel Hill and are held RAIN or SHINE. There are some indoor features at the center that we can utilize if needed, but please dress according to the demands and changes of the outdoors.
*Coffee Shop Therapy Sessions held in the Squirrel Hill area (Dobra Tea, Commonplace Coffee, Brueggers Bagels, and other options).
*Flexible availability on weekdays, evenings & weekends to accommodate your schedule.
Limited access and availability on Tuesday evenings in an office space in Squirrel Hill if you do require an office setting.
Groups, Workshops & Training
Groups, Classes & Workshops
Please inquire for details about having group Self-Discovery Walks in the Park, group meditation & mindfulness classes, team building in the park, or bringing any of these services to your workplace.
Guided Meditation
Whether as a group, online, in session or as an audio recording - I offer my expertise in meditation in a variety of formats. Please inquire for details.
See below for current available Audio Recordings which include guided meditations.
Please inquire for details about having group Self-Discovery Walks in the Park, group meditation & mindfulness classes, team building in the park, or bringing any of these services to your workplace.
Guided Meditation
Whether as a group, online, in session or as an audio recording - I offer my expertise in meditation in a variety of formats. Please inquire for details.
See below for current available Audio Recordings which include guided meditations.
PART ONE of Series on "Letting Go & Letting In"
Establishing the Foundations of Self-Care
FREE Guided Meditation & Talk - Audio Recording - Click Below to Listen.
This recording illustrates and guides you through establishing a foundation of self care to supporting you in the process of change with the assistance of talk, guided meditation & energy work.
Establishing the Foundations of Self-Care
FREE Guided Meditation & Talk - Audio Recording - Click Below to Listen.
This recording illustrates and guides you through establishing a foundation of self care to supporting you in the process of change with the assistance of talk, guided meditation & energy work.
PART TWO of Series: "It's Time to Let Go"
Discusses the resources needed to support yourself in effectively letting go and instills these resources through a guided meditation and energy work, while also providing an engaging and inspirational talk.
Discusses the resources needed to support yourself in effectively letting go and instills these resources through a guided meditation and energy work, while also providing an engaging and inspirational talk.
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