~Philosophy~

A wellspring of vitality, creativity, a knowing~an abundance of resources~lives within each of us.  Often in overfilled lives, life events and unmanageable stressors such as too many roles and obligations, limiting, worn-out beliefs, attitudes and habits, we are at risk of losing contact with our reservoir of inner gifts.  Our capacity to live a vital, authentic life can become diminished.

Symptoms of fatigue, depression, anxiety, fear, isolation, a scattered mind, and physical illnesses may manifest.  We may lose our center and be pulled into “doing” our life rather than “being” with or in the core of it.   As we attempt to cut off from stressors or pain, we may also disconnect from our resources and lose connection with all that we truly are.

Being with what IS…is an important component of healing.  Clients are invited into a state of neutrality, curiosity and compassion to be with what IS.  Being in this state enhances our ability to transform that which is not working in our lives into allowing greater connection with our internal resources and nurturing what is more optimal to come forth.  Being reconnected more fully with our reservoir of internal resources,
we are more likely to be with life more completely—physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

~Irene’s Background~

Irene has been working in the mental health field for over twenty years and has been in private practice since 1991 offering psychotherapeutic services.  She has completed Post-Master training programs in:

*Marital and Family Therapy
*Hypnotherapy
*Polarity Therapy
*Trauma Healing Therapy

Her integration of these trainings allows her to offer a continuum of services with a holistic understanding of the body-mind-spirit interaction.  Dr. Northrup, author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom, states, “All distress, all healing of distress, and all creation of health are simultaneously physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual.”

Irene’s training and certification as a Polarity Therapy Practitioner has assisted her with broadening and deepening her view of imbalance, dis-ease and wellness.  (www.polaritytherapy.org)  Polarity Therapy increases:

*relaxation and fluidity in the body
*body awareness and connection with oneself
*connection with resourceful places within oneself
*ability to release stored emotions and life experiences which may get stuffed in the body
*connection with one’s total being rather than just from the neck up.

Whether it is in a traditional psychotherapy session or in a Polarity Therapy appointment, she works with clients to create a safe, supportive space where one can meet and connect more fully with oneself in a conscious, aware and resourced way.

~Services~

*Individual Therapy
*Couple Therapy
*Family Therapy
*Polarity Therapy

Irene utilizes a holistic approach working with various life transitions, depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, anger management, parenting issues, adjustment to divorce and remarriage, loss and grief, anxiety and stress management, self-esteem issues, workplace issues, and various types of trauma.   These issues may manifest into physical symptoms such as headaches, sleep disturbances, backaches, symptoms of IBS
and other digestive problems, fatigue, respiratory and cardiovascular problems, or any number of stress related symptoms.

Irene views her work as a complementary modality.  Her services are not intended to be a substitute for medical care.  She values and makes an effort to collaborate and coordinate her services with other health care providers.

Irene listens to your needs.  She begins where you are and supports your process at a beneficial pace to meet your therapeutic goals.  Together, services are decided upon which will best serve your current needs.

~Licensure and Certification~

*Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW)
*Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT)
*Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW)
*Associate Polarity Practitioner (APP)

~Professional Affiliation~

*National Association of Social Workers
*American Polarity Therapy Association (www.polaritytherapy.org)
*United States Association for Body Psychotherapy