Welcome back to Conversations with Clinicians where we interview one of our associate therapists. We like to give you this opportunity to learn more about the way that they work. It can also give you insight into therapeutic modalities, approaches and techniques. Today, meet California telehealth associate therapist Brooke Hein who uses an integral therapy approach to help people with grief and loss (personal, global, or otherwise), anxiety and depression, navigating major life transitions, improving relationships and communication, processing complex trauma/PTSD, and developing a stronger sense of self esteem and self efficacy.
What is your therapeutic orientation?
My therapeutic approach is integral, meaning each client and each session may require something a little different, with a foundation in psychodynamic, trauma-informed, and relational orientation. I also incorporate parts work, somatic work (body awareness and presence), mindfulness, existentialism, and psychoanalytic theory.
What are your areas of specialty?
- grief and loss (personal, global, or otherwise)
- anxiety and depression
- navigating major life transitions
- improving relationships and communication
- processing complex trauma/PTSD
- developing a stronger sense of self esteem and self efficacy
What other modalities inform your work?
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.
What is it like to work with you?
I strive to be a welcoming and warm presence for clients, actively engaging in the therapeutic process with curiosity, awareness, transparency, and perspective to support clients in coming to their own unique understanding about their life. I work with what’s in the room in the present moment, utilizing what the client is feeling or aware of while sitting with me. Clients have reported that it feels easy to connect, like speaking with a friend or a mentor.
Who do you LOVE working with?
I like working with folks who are grappling with the big questions in life: Who am I? Where do I belong? Who are my people? What’s my purpose? Is this enough? Often these questions arise when we’re on the precipice of major change, when the tectonic plates of our foundation begin to shift and we’re no longer standing on solid ground, when aspects of life begin to feel unrecognizable. It’s an honor to accompany clients in this discovery process and support them to navigate the material that arises in the process, as it often kicks up trauma and wounding that need tending and care.
What most inspires you about doing this work?
I wake up and feel inspired to do this work because of the resilience, wisdom, and courage of my clients. It’s meaningful work that puts me in touch with the human experience in a way that more often than not leaves me humbled, grateful, and fulfilled.
What do you do outside of the work to stay inspired?
I stay inspired by staying curious (reading books, listening to podcasts, attending workshops and trainings, seeking out supervision and consultation, going to therapy), expressing myself (through art, cooking, baking, movement, writing, community), stepping away for awhile (almost anything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes), and coming back to gratitude, self-compassion, and small wins (tomorrow is another opportunity to try again).
Favorite books?
Related to therapy, I like the books “Tiny Beautiful Things” by Cheryl Strayed, “Anatomy of Anxiety” by Ellen Vora, “Grief is Love: Living with loss” by Marissa Renee Lee, “How Emotions are Made” by Lisa Feldman Barrett, “My Grandmother’s Hands” by Resmaa Menakem, and “Mating in Captivity” by Ester Perel
As for non therapy books, I currently can’t put down the Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros. I like a book that feels like a complete escape from my everyday life (dragons are a plus!). I’m also a poetry lover, one of my favorites right now is “Queer Nature: A poetry anthology”.
Favorite podcasts, films or other media?
Nora McInerny, author of and host of podcast “Terrible, Thanks for Asking”, has a weekly newsletter with such poignant and funny advice and stories as well as a company called Feelings & Co with therapy related stickers, shirts, artwork, etc.
Other podcasts that are therapy related that I like…Tara Brach, On Being with Krista Tippett, Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris, We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle, Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and All There Is with Anderson Cooper.
If you’re into astrology, I recommend checking out Chani Nicolas (app, podcast, and books).
Favorite quote?
A quote that has stuck with me is “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it” from the Talmud.
Give us your best recommendations for …
Best places to laugh and cry in the Bay Area?
I’d recommend a good cry…at Seward Mini Park garden on Corwin x Acme Alley or on the benches overlooking the Bay from Berkeley’s Cesar Chavez Park – really anywhere you can be in the gentle comfort of nature.
I’d recommend a good laugh…at The Empire Strips Back show or a Don’t Tell Comedy night.
Bset self-care suggestions?
I think there’s an important difference between self-care and self-soothing. What we’ve come to think of as self-care is too often individualistic, commodified, and white washed, involving bubble baths and starting a gratitude journal with the goal of helping us get back to work and to be more productive. Yin in the service of yang, if you will. The reality may be that the bubble bath and gratitude journaling are self-soothing, in that they help you relax or momentarily distract you, while something like scheduling a dentist appointment or paying the water bill serve as self-care. We need both. So, I offer ideas that may be soothing as well as practical…
- Free: reading a really good book in the sun at a local park […or washing the dishes that have piled up in the sink].
- On a budget: a relaxing evening at Kabuki Springs & Spa — they have male, female, and nonbinary days each week, $49 for 2.5 hours […or picking up groceries for the week].
- High end: tickets to see Beyoncé […or paying off credit card debt].
What is one thing that clients might be surprised to learn about you?
I like to embroider in my free time.
If you could sum up in one sentence why someone might go to therapy, what would you say?
In the simplest way, I think we seek out therapy to remember — to remember who we are, what our truth is, and that we’re not alone.
How can potential clients contact you?
Brooke Hein, AMFT #143836
Supervised by Patricia E Craven LMFT #24859
Phone: 510-543-0333
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.brookehein.com
You can also contact us at Center for Mindful Psychotherapy to learn more about working with Brooke Hein any of our associate therapists.