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 Elaine Walker, an associate therapist based in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow neighborhood. Elaine works somatically to help clients heal trauma.
She says, “I consider the therapeutic space to be sacred; akin to a laboratory, art studio or garden where we can learn and unlearn, co-creating a nurturing space as we get to know our deepest selves.”
What is your therapeutic orientation?
- Depth
- Relational/Attachment
- Psychodynamic
- Somatic
- Expressive Arts
What are your areas of specialty?
What other modalities inform your work?
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.
What is it like to work with you?
I am rooted in this work and the body. My clients and I work together as co-creators and adventurers in the process of healing. When we are grounded in the present and in the therapeutic relationship, the awareness and the subsequent understanding of ourselves that emerges can contribute to an alchemical healing process. This work helps you to find and nurture the inner healer in you.
The work also includes exploring and processing deep relational patterns that can lead to more flow, fulfillment, pleasure and certainty in your life. I work with empathy, curiosity and creativity to meet clients where they are in their lives.
I consider the therapeutic space to be sacred; akin to a laboratory, art studio or garden where we can learn and unlearn, co-creating a nurturing space as we get to know our deepest selves. I work collaboratively with warmth and openness. I invite you to come as you are and hope to meet you there.
Who do you LOVE working with?
I work with individuals, couples and adolescents who are curious, sensitive and intuitive. People who are healers and therapists in training, artists, activists, seekers, adventurers, plant lovers, and/or witches. I work with people using creative and relational approaches to healing such as ancestor work, fantasy explorations, ritual, art, tarot and simply being together in whatever is.
What is one thing that clients might be surprised to learn about you?
I was a flower, indigo and vegetable farmer before becoming a therapist!
What most inspires you about doing this work?
As a farmer/gardener for over 10 years, I am deeply connected to nature and facilitate healing through land-based rituals and ceremonies. Some of my trainings include courses and workshops in Hakomi, Reiki and Jungian dreamwork. I am inspired by gathering, infinite interconnectedness, plant wisdom, movement, poetry, liminal spaces, the ocean, seed sovereignty, art and tarot.
If you could sum up in one sentence why someone might go to therapy, what would you say?
Therapy can be a wonderful tool in the quest for a curious, life-long learner.
What is one takeaway moment that you’d like to share from your own experience as a client in therapy?
One takeaway is that the ruptures and hard parts continue to have a way of becoming the most healing and important moments that happen!
Give us your best recommendations for …
Best places to laugh and cry in the Bay Area?
Everywhere 🙂 I especially love being by the ocean with deep grief. The immensity of the ocean seems to match the immensity of my feelings.
See What Other Places Therapists Recommend to Laugh and Cry in the SF Bay Area
Best self-care suggestions for free, on a budget, and at a higher price point?
- Free: being outside, facing the sun or the moon and breathing in/soaking in its rays.
- Budget: riding public transportation to a park, especially with a view. Views calm the nervous system and immediately make us feel calmer.
- Higher price point: body work like a massage or Rosen method session
What are your favorite therapy books?
My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakam and Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
See other books recommended by therapists.
Your favorite non-therapy books?
- No one is talking about this by Patricia Lockwood
- I love you but I’ve chosen Darkness by Claire Vaye Watkin
- Klara and the Sun by Ishiguro
- The office of historical corrections by Evans
- On Earth we’re briefly gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
- Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
- A field guide to getting lost by Rebecca Solnit
Your favorite quotes?
“When you can not pinpoint a pain in your body, the whole world seems to throb with it” – Patricia Lockwood in her book Priestdaddy
“The more we discover the wonders of nature the more we become aware of ourselves.” – Hilma af Klint
“Anyone involved in the search for themselves is a practicing artist.” – Alonzo King
Favorite therapy podcast?
On Being Podcast is not exactly therapy related but I have found it to be so inspiring and helping me through tougher times.
See 25 inspiring mental health and wellness podcasts
What is one more thing you might tell us about yourself?
Thank you for taking the time to learn more. Whether we work together or not, I am honored to be a part of your journey and wish you the best.
I acknowledge that I am a descendant of white settlers living and practicing on unceded Yelamu, Ramaytush Ohlone land. I pay a rematriation land tax to the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust and work to dismantle white supremacy.
How can potential clients contact you?
Elaine Walker (she/her)
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist # 122899
Supervised by Rosemary McCracken, LMFT # 86912
Phone: 415-322-5710
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.elainewalkertherapy.com
Where is your office located?
3059 Fillmore Street, Cow Hollow, San Francisco
You can also contact us at Center for Mindful Psychotherapy to learn more about working with Elaine Walker or any of our associate therapists.