I believe that the human organism – body, mind, emotions, spirit – is more fluid than we think it is. I believe that it is possible to experience significant change and transformation. I believe that we all have the capacity for living much larger lives than we do. I see that many people keep their lives too small out of fear. I love the process of open-ended change. I believe that working with our deep fears, feeling and expressing our emotions, and learning to release negativity is a spiritual task. I love to work with people who are ready for deep and lasting change. I recognize that this takes courage and commitment, and that it is often through suffering and loss that we find the desire and courage to tolerate the discomfort of transformation. In my work I seek to encourage, support, nurture and facilitate such change in others. I believe that it is through strong and powerful methods and practices – including, but not limited to talking – along with some sort of grace, that such change occurs.

Jungian analysis is a type of psychotherapy, based on the work of Swiss psychiatrist, Dr. Carl Jung. In Jungian analysis, we dive ‘beneath the surface’ to a ‘deeper’ place inside ourselves. It is less about problem-solving and more about finding out who we really are. It is about coming to terms with the less-known parts of ourselves and learning to live with emotional fullness and authenticity. It is about recognizing how what is unconscious affects our moods and our patterns of relating to ourselves and others and learning to express these aspects of ourselves more effectively. In Jungian analysis, we use dreams, fantasies, creative work, painting, writing, physical sensations, body symptoms, as ways of listening to the whispers of the wisdom of our deeper selves. Jungian analysis takes place within the context of the relationship between analyst and client. This relationship develops through frequent meetings – weekly or more frequently – in order to create a safe container for transformation.

In many forms of psychotherapy, the focus is on using our thinking mind to come to understanding and insight in order to facilitate change. However, recent research has taught us that talk and thinking alone are often not sufficient for creating change, particularly in the aftermath of trauma. What I call ‘Embodied Psychotherapy’ recognizes the wisdom of our physical bodies and uses the body as a gateway to transformation as well as a vehicle for learning to release and let go of what no longer serves us. Amy’s training in body and breath practices, meditation, TRE, EMDR, intuitive painting, the Integral Stretch Sequence and other modalities allows her to offer clients practical tools for managing their emotions and living more fully and creatively in their daily lives.

In many forms of psychotherapy, the focus is on using our thinking mind to come to understanding and insight in order to facilitate change. However, recent research has taught us that talk and thinking alone are often not sufficient for creating change, particularly in the aftermath of trauma. What I call ‘Embodied Psychotherapy’ recognizes the wisdom of our physical bodies and uses the body as a gateway to transformation as well as a vehicle for learning to release and let go of what no longer serves us. Amy’s training in body and breath practices, meditation, TRE, EMDR, intuitive painting, the Integral Stretch Sequence and other modalities allows her to offer clients practical tools for managing their emotions and living more fully and creatively in their daily lives.

Trauma is any event – physical or emotional – that overwhelms the individual’s natural coping abilities. Every stressful or anxious event, regardless of whether it occurs in a physiological, psychological, cognitive, emotional or relational form, affects the physical body. Since the body is an accurate history book of our experiences, it is essential that the body be included in the process of recovery.

PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a term that refers to the continuation of disturbing thoughts, emotions and feeling that persist after the stressful event is over. Sometimes the stress and anxiety are so great that they create symptoms that interfere with daily living and the ability to cope. Fortunately, we now have tools, such as EMDR and TRE (described below) that help to release, transform and discharge the stress and tension that result from difficult life circumstances, immediate or prolonged stress, or traumatic life experiences.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy modality that enables people to heal from the symptoms of emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. Repeated studies over the past 20 years indicate that EMDR is a highly effective treatment for trauma and life’s distress and is recognized as a treatment of choice by such groups as the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the Department of Defense. Studies repeatedly show that 90-100% of single-trauma victims and over 77% of multiple-trauma victims are symptom-free in less than 12 sessions. Part of the EMDR protocol involves tracking the therapist’s hand as it moves back and forth across the client’s field of vision as she holds in mind certain aspects of the disturbing events, guided by the therapist. As this happens, the client is able to process the memory and disturbing events. In successful EMDR therapy, the meaning of painful events is transformed on an emotional level. For instance, a rape victim shifts from feeling horror and self-disgust to holding the firm belief that, “I survived it and I am strong.” Unlike talk therapy, the insights clients gain in EMDR result not so much from clinician suggestion, but from the client’s own inner emotional wisdom. The net effect is that clients conclude EMDR therapy feeling empowered by the very experiences that once made them feel victimized. Their wounds have not just closed, they have transformed. As a natural outcome of the EMDR therapeutic process, the clients’ thoughts, feelings and behavior are all robust indicators of emotional health and resolution—all without speaking in detail or doing homework used in other therapies. Amy is very pleased to be offer this treatment, which she has been utilizing effectively for 20 years, to her clients.

TRE or Tension Trauma Releasing Exercises, is a series of movements designed by David Berceli, Ph.D. to help individuals release stress or tension from their bodies as a result of difficult life circumstances, daily stress, accumulated life stressors or traumatic life experiences. Dr. Berceli, a social worker, traumatologist, chaplain and international expert in trauma intervention, who worked in war-torn countries for many years, recognized the need for a method by which ordinary individuals could help themselves release the impact of tension, stress and trauma from their bodies, utilizing the body’s natural ability to do so. The exercises are comfortable, painless and profound. They have been used successfully in over 35 countries to help people recover from the effects of chronic stress, accidents, natural disasters, emotional trauma, secondary trauma, and political violence. Amy is a certified practitioner in this method and loves to teach it to her clients as a tool they can use to help themselves integrate the impact of life’s stressors – anxiety, insomnia, tension, physical aches and pains – and to experience transformation on the spiritual and emotional level.

Moment-to-moment painting is an intuitive process and practice which utilizes the flowing medium of paint for self-discovery, experimentation and contemplative expression. For over 10 years, Amy studied the Point Zero Creativity Process with its founder, Michele Cassou. In this process, Amy facilitates the natural movement of the spirit and emotions and the dialogue between ego and self that arises. In this process we learn: To recover the playful freedom of young children; To work through negative and limiting self-talk that blocks the creative flow; To allow emotions to release in a safe environment; To harness the energy of creativity for art making and living. As we face the white canvas, we learn to live with awareness in each moment. We learn that painting can become a practice and a refuge.

• Individual Jungian analysis;
• Presentations to groups and organizations;
• EMDR;
• TRE for individuals and groups;
• Creativity classes;
• Supervision and consultation to mental health professionals; and
• Moment-to-Moment Painting for individuals and groups.
• In addition to working with clients in psychotherapy/analysis, I am available for workshops, teaching, public speaking, and consultation to other professionals and organizations. I offer workshops in Moment-to-Moment painting and am certified to teach TRE to individuals. With Everett Ogawa, founder of Integral Bodywork, I teach a variety of courses through our school, Emerging Edge, a body-based approach to living more fully. Course offerings include such topics as “A Woman’s Belly: Pandora’s Box or Holy Grail?”, “Confronting Fear”, and “Letting Go of Negativity”.

I am available to see clients Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 to 5:30 p.m.

Do you accept health insurance as payment for your services?

Yes. At the present time, I am in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin, Humana, Lifesynch, and Cigna insurance companies. I bill insurance companies as a service to you. If you have questions about your insurance benefits, such as deductible and co-payment amounts, please contact your insurance provider directly.