When we interview our associate therapists, we like to ask them about the modalities that inform their work. Yes, of course they have a specific therapeutic orientation and areas of speciality, which we also ask them about that. But what we really want to know, beyond that, is what types of life experience, education, etc. they bring into their work as a therapist. The answers range from Hawaiian Lomi Lomi to Powerlifting.
An overview of the different modalities therapists have in common
We have each individual therapist’s complete response below, but we noticed quite a few commonalities among them.
Mindfulness and Meditation Practices
Seven of our therapists incorporate mindfulness and meditation practices into their work. Brooke Hein includes mindfulness, movement, and meditation practices as part of her therapeutic approach. Jordana del Feld has developed a 30-year-long Buddhist mindfulness practice, which informs her therapy work. Similarly, Karen Baker integrates Buddhist Meditation & Mindfulness into her practice, and Elaine Walker’s work is guided by mindfulness, focusing on somatic and trauma-informed approaches. Chris Doorley also emphasizes meditation, specifically Vipassana, in his practice. Cynthia Martin uses mindfulness techniques to help clients connect with their bodies.
Somatic Practices
Somatic practices are central to the approaches of several of our therapists. Maureen “Eula Lys” Backman is trained in somatic and relational practices, focusing on the present moment experience. Brooke Hein uses Somatic Experiencing to address trauma, while Cynthia Martin incorporates body awareness exercises and breathwork into her sessions. Karen Baker is trained in Rosen Method Bodywork, which emphasizes body-centered therapy, and Ian Silverness draws on psycho-energetic touch work and Hakomi in his practice.
Four of our therapists specifically mentioned yoga as part of their practice. Sabrina Rayner combines Hatha Yoga with Ayurveda, while Karen Baker incorporates both Yoga & Pranayama into her life. Jordana del Feld is a certified yoga teacher and Caroline Lee also mentions yoga as informing her work.
Expressive and Creative Arts
The use of expressive and creative arts is another common thread among our therapists. Jordana del Feld has extensive training in Expressive Art Therapy, while Elaine Walker integrates expressive and esoteric arts, such as ritual, tarot, and painting, into her therapeutic work. Erin Boyle utilizes writing and presenting, particularly the power of metaphor, to enrich her sessions. Chris Doorley emphasizes Narrative Therapy, incorporating creative writing, poetry, and journaling as therapeutic tools. Julie Peters, with her specialty in drama therapy, uses this creative approach to help clients explore and express their emotions.
Spiritual and Philosophical Approaches
Several therapists bring spiritual and philosophical approaches to their work. Dani Gotwalt draws on her experience as a spiritual director and offers insights from the Enneagram personality profile. Jordana del Feld’s practice is informed by her studies in Asian philosophy and her long-standing Buddhist mindfulness practice. Ian Silverness also integrates spiritual perspectives through Non-dual psychology.
Specialized Therapies and Frameworks
Some of our therapists bring unique and specialized therapies to their work. Courtenay Houk specializes in Formative Psychology and has completed PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy) Level 2 training. Kaye Reeves is trained in EMDR and Clinical Hypnosis, both of which are effective in treating trauma and other conditions. Mark Resch incorporates the Power, Threat, Meaning Framework and the Dynamic Maturation Model of Attachment into his practice, offering a comprehensive approach to understanding and treating clients.
Brooke Hein includes both Poly-vagal theory and IFS/parts work in her practice, focusing on nervous system regulation and resolving internal conflicts between parts. Sabrina Rayner also draws on Polyvagal Theory, while Mark Resch also incorporates Internal Family Systems into his therapeutic framework.
Unique Modalities and Life Experiences
Finally, several therapists bring unique life experiences and modalities to their practice. Erin Boyle draws on her experience in powerlifting and coding to inform her work, while Karen Baker incorporates Hawaiian Lomi Lomi and Medicine Work into her sessions. Cynthia Martin’s work as a doula also deeply influences her approach, particularly in creating a safe and supportive space for clients during difficult experiences.
Therapists’ answers: “what other modalities inform your work?”
Here are the complete responses that we received when we interviewed these sixteen associate therapists:
Erin Boyle shared:
I pull from all sorts of life experience I have, including:
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- Playing classical piano (music, rhythm, and its relationship to our nervous systems)
- Powerlifting (body positioning and confidence)
- Coding and related nerdery (a systems lens of relational dynamics)
- Writing and presenting (the power of metaphor to say more than we otherwise can)
Read Erin Boyle’s complete interview here.
Brooke Hein answered:
Poly-vagal theory (working with the nervous system to regulate), IFS/parts work (resolution of internal conflict between parts), and Somatic Experiencing (aimed at treating trauma) are areas in which I have additional training.
I’m drawn to symbolism, metaphor, myth, art, and imagery. My work is also informed by my own mindfulness, movement, and meditation practices.
Read Brooke Hein’s complete interview here.
Courtenay Houk answered:
I specialize in Formative Psychology and completed PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy) Level 2 as of November 2023.
Read Courtenay Houk’s complete interview here.
Jordana del Feld answered:
I developed the core of my understanding of therapy in the Integral Counseling Master’s Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies.
Expanding out from the core, though, I also spent two full years studying Expressive Art Therapy at the Center for Creative Arts Therapy in Chicago, and I have a Master’s of Fine Arts from New York University.
I’m also a licensed massage therapist and bodyworker, a registered yoga teacher, and a dancer.
I have also developed a 30-year-long consistent Buddhist mindfulness practice, and studied Asian philosophy at Columbia University.
I believe connection with the natural world is an essential part of the therapeutic journey, and I studied therapeutic landscape design at the University of Washington.
I’ve also studied business for many years, and used to give creativity, flow, and emotional intelligence workshops at startup incubators.
Read Jordana del Feld’s complete interview here.
Maureen “Eula Lys” Backman said:
I’m informed by and trained in somatic and relational practices. Through somatic therapy, we explore your present moment experience via your thoughts, emotions, sensations, memories, and body movement. As a trans, non-binary therapist, I hold how systems of oppression and transphobia impact how gender expansive and queer folx feel about our bodies. I honor where you are moment-by-moment and give your body and mind space to feel. Together, we cultivate mindfulness and embodiment using a queer lens and liberatory framework, so you can experience your thoughts, feelings, and lived experiences from a place of safety . Working this way can lead to more awareness and freedom so you can live the life that feels most aligned with your authentic self.
Read Maureen “Eula Lys” Backman’s complete interview here.
Sabrina Rayner answered:
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- Hatha Yoga
- Ayurveda
- Polyvagal Theory
Read Sabrina Rayner’s complete interview here.
Karen Baker answered:
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- Rosen Method Bodywork
- Hawaiian Lomi Lomi
- Yoga & Pranayama
- Buddhist Meditation & Mindfulness
- Medicine Work
Read Karen Baker’s complete interview here.
Dani Gotwalt answered:
Before I became a therapist, I was a spiritual director — walking alongside others as they deepened their understanding of their higher power (God, the universe, the love that connects us, etc.) and how they can be in relationship with that higher power (practices, community, action). I also used to offer workshops on the Enneagram personality profile.
Read Dani Gotwalt’s complete interview here.
Elaine Walker answered:
Mindfulness informs my work as well as expressive and esoterics arts like ritual, tarot and painting. I take a somatically and trauma-informed approac, that is slow and gentle in nature, to help clients address and move through any trauma that they may hold. I also work with a liberation psychology lens encouraging greater awareness of our relationships to systemic oppression.
Read Elaine Walker’s complete interview here.
Ian Silverness answered:
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- Hakomi therapy
- Non-dual psychology
- Psycho-energetic touch work
Read Ian Silverness’ complete interview here.
Caroline Lee answered:
Yoga and photography
Read Caroline Lee’s complete interview here.
Chris Doorley answered:
Vipassana meditation & Narrative Therapy (creative writing, poetry, journaling, challenging beliefs)
Read Chris Doorley’s complete interview here.
Cynthia Martin answered:
My training and experience as a doula greatly inform my work as a psychotherapist. I have provided support to individuals during and after the intense process of childbirth. This experience has honed my ability to create a safe space to work through difficult experiences. Moreover, I recognize that emotions and physical sensations are intertwined, and I integrate this awareness into my therapeutic practice. By incorporating mindfulness techniques, body awareness exercises, and breathwork into my sessions, I help clients connect with their bodies and access deeper levels of wisdom and healing. Additionally, my past work as a doula instilled in me a strong sense of advocacy for my clients’ well-being and autonomy. Overall, I empower clients to take an active role in their healing journey and make informed choices about their mental and emotional health.
Read Cynthia Martin’s complete interview here.
Kaye Reeves answered:
I have trained in EMDR and clinical hypnosis.
Read Kaye Reeves’ complete interview here.
Mark Resch answered:
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- Application of the Power, Threat, Meaning Framework
- The Dynamic Maturation Model of Attachment
- Internal Family Systems
- Narrative Therapy
Read Mark Resch’s complete interview here.
Julie Peters answered:
I have a specialty in drama therapy as I studied at California Institute of Integral Studies, one of only a few schools in the country accredited by the North American Drama Therapy Association.
Read Julie Peters’ complete interview here.