About: Me The Therapist

 

Hi, I’m Hannah!

I’m a psychotherapist, author, and forever student of the human experience. But you can also call me a midwife to your emotions, a wannabe fantasy novelist, and a fierce ally to everyone I work with.

I compassionately help adult children of narcissistic parents who struggle with people pleasing, social anxiety, chronic self-doubt, and guilt/shame, find their authentic voice so that they can shed all the ways they’ve had to hide in order to survive.

You’re looking for a therapist who gets it and will walk by your side for as long as you need.  I will push you to dig deep, make space for your emotions, and work to help you take action to live a full and meaningful life. 

I know you want to feel whole and worthy in who you are.

Yet there’s this belief that you haven’t earned the right to feel whole or worthy. As if it is something you must achieve through hard work and external validation alone. What if that wasn’t true? What if you could actually come to a place of high self-worth that was birthed out of embracing your authenticity?

Psst..you can.

Here’s one thing I know for sure:

Adult children of narcissistic parents have come to believe that they’re deficient in some way.

But this is the lie spun by the narcissistic parent. And I’m here to help you see through that lie so that you can embrace your truth, which is that you are whole and worthy.

Your inner critic may disagree with these words, but you’re not hear to bargain with that part of yourself. You’re here to override it so that you can sincerely believe in yourself, know your worth, and own your deservingness.

This may feel like a tall order and a little uncomfortable. Your might notice your mind saying, “Who am I to feel worthy and deserving? Isn’t that selfish?”, which only highlights how deceived you’ve been by the lie you took in.

I want you to know that you’re not alone in this.  

I’ve worked with countless of people ranging from CEO’s, lawyers, managers at the biggest tech companies, artists, scientists, and students.  

The common fears found in all of the folks I work with is a belief that: a) they’re imposters/frauds and b) what they feel, need, or want is wrong and selfish. The common goals are to: 1) Find their authenticity and build self-trust and 2) Be able to express their feelings/needs without guilt or anxiety.

The belief that “I should be happy by now; have it all figured out” is serving to only making you feel worse, even though it feels like tough love.  My sense, is that this belief is ready to be retired.

Here’s where I come in:

As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I help you make sense of your origin story, where your beliefs got started, and how you can take deliberate action toward doing the scary shit. 

I want to hear your story and I want you to tell it as many times as you need.  Our work is not about “fixing” you or changing some fundamental part of you, it’s about unlearning the ways you were taught to relate to yourself. 

As a therapist, I incorporate a lot of tools into my session, but the one thing I care about the most is our relationship and how safe you feel with me.  For people pleasers, this gets tricky.  

You’ve learned to take care of other peoples needs above your own.  I will call you out (gently) on that when it shows up in our relationship so that I don’t become yet another person with whom you feel you must take care of. 

At first, sharing your feelings and deepest darkest secrets feels scary as hell! It will go against everything you think you should be doing in any relationship.   Over time, you’ll discover that this becomes easier and in fact, you may notice yourself becoming more curious, compassionate, and connected with yourself. 

This is the place to make sense.

Not only will you experience feedback from me that your feelings, reactions, and behaviors make sense, you will have the opportunity to make sense of your internal world.  

You’ll learn ways to support yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed, scared or vulnerable, and understand how to approach difficult thoughts and beliefs with curiosity, essentially rendering them more neutral and malleable. 

When you’re ready to work with me, I’ll be here welcoming you with open arms. 

Your Next Steps:

Whether you’re just a little curious, totally committed, unsure, or have questions it’s always good to have a consultation before you begin.  

Schedule your free 20 minute consultation with me now. 

 

Some more stuff about me that you’re dying to know.

What’s your message?

I believe in going slow, giving ourselves patience, and practicing self-compassion on a daily basis. I believe that there is no "right" way of being and that each of us brings a unique gift to the world and it's up to us to nourish that gift. 

What would be the title of your Top 5 list?

My top 5 favorite self-compassion mantras 

1)   Ow, this (statement, experience, self-talk) hurts. I know I can get through it and I also know it's okay if I need to take a break.

2)   What can I do to support and honor myself in this moment?

3)   This is a moment of suffering. May I honor the part of me that's hurting and move forward with grace.

4)   It's okay for me to say no.

5)   I am allowed to focus on my needs.

What passions do you share with your clients?

Cats. Reading. City Life. Movies. Eye rolling the brunch crowd (but also really wanting to be one of "those" people too). Being out in nature.  Laughing hysterically at a ridiculous inside joke. Dark humor.  90's fashion.

What would be the title of your other Top 5 list?

The Top 5 Things an Introvert Loves To Hear and/or Say

1) I'd love to do that! Let me get back to you.

2) I'm so sorry, but I won't be able to make it tonight. Have fun without me!

3) Ah, shoot, I'll be out of town, but definitely next time!

4) The training/meeting/luncheon is cancelled (not really a mantra, but a statement we love)

5) I'm all booked this weekend (ahem, watching netflix and hanging out with my cat)

What are your business values?

Compassion

Laughter

Embracing Imperfection

Unconditoinal Positive Regard

Courage

(If you’re interested in reading my expanded business values, check it out here)

Education, Training and License

  • I am currently enrolled in a PhD Program for Integral Psychology

  • I graduated from Brandman University with a masters degree in psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy.

  • Level 1 Breath Work Facilitator through David Elliot

  • Trained in NeuroFit™ (a nervous system regulating technique)

  • I am currently enrolled a MindBody coaching certification program from Embody Lab.

  • I am a certified holistic health coach and received this credential from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York, NY.

  • I have been trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Nonviolent Communication Intervention, Seeking Safety, Suicide Prevention, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Family Systems Therapy, Dynamic Emotion Focused Therapy, and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.

  • I am trained in CBT and Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD and Panic Disorder.

  • I have completed a one year certification course in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.

  • I have completed Beginning I and Beginning II of Somatic Experiencing.

  • I am currently (2022-2023) enrolled in Level I Sensorimotor Psychotherapy training.

  • I am level 3 certified Dynamic Emotion Focused Therapist, a practice that is shame-sensitive, emotions focused (and I like to say, “emotions positive”, as all emotions are important), and deeply caring towards the self.

  • I am a level 1 certified WIEBGE (Will I Ever Be Good Enough) Therapist in the treatment of Adult Children of Narcissists.

  • I am trained in TeleMental Health and Digital Ethics

  • I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC #LH60876137) in the state of Washington