JESSICA VAN DER MERWE (She/Her)

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

IFS is an evidenced based therapy that explores the "parts" of us to explore and resolve internal conflicts, depression, trauma, and anxiety. Within this framework, we increase self-compassion and value our natural protective strengths. I am certified in Trauma Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST), trauma informed and integrative approach that includes mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, IFS, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy.

Brainspotting

Brainspotting therapy harnesses the body’s natural healing by locating a point of vision that correlates with inner neural, somatic, and emotional experiences. These eye positions, called Brainspots, access the subcortical brain, which is the inner part of our brain that holds emotional, non-verbal, and trauma memory. Accessing these brainspots lead to healing and resolution of issues that are held deeply held in the brain and body.

Somatic Therapy (Body Centered)

Sometimes we don't have words, we just have feelings. Where the words fail, the body speaks. Our bodies hold stress, unresolved trauma and emotions, and implicit memories (the things we don't have words for but can feel). If you have ever felt a deep pang of loneliness or fear and wonder where it is coming from, this is your implicit body memory. We work with these sensations to help process and 'metabolize" these body memories to help bring increased sense of calm and grounding.

Experiential

Experiential therapy is a therapeutic approach that goes beyond traditional "talk therapy". Instead of just analyzing past events, we will actively participate in real-time experiences, noticing physical and emotional sensations in real-time, and processing those experiences from the bottom-up. This modality helps people access subconscious feelings, safely re-enact emotional situations, and break through intellectualization to create lasting behavioral change.

PTSD

Experiences of trauma include childhood abuse or neglect, abandonment, betrayal, acute traumatic experiences, or any experience that currently impacts your ability to function fully. Complex trauma builds up when harm happens repeatedly, often in places that were supposed to be safe. We'll use body and brain based approaches to support nervous system regulation and reduce or even resolve triggered states.

Dissociative Disorder (DD)

Dissociation comes in many forms. Feeling disconnected from your own thoughts, emotions, or physical body, or feeling that the world around you is unreal, lack of a sense of core self or identity, memory loss, and acting in ways that confuse or distress you can all be considered dissociation. Dissociation can occur from overwhelm in many forms, and is often a part of a history of trauma. We use body and brain based approaches to resolving or reducing dissociative experiences.

Relationship / Marriage Issues

When you've experienced traumatic or dysfunctional upbringings, it often follows us into our most intimate relationships. We get stuck in a cycle of triggered reactions with our partner, and feel stuck and unable to resolve conflicts. We identify and process those internal conflicts at their roots, so that we can stop the negative cycle with ourselves and our loved ones for more rewarding connection.

Body Image Issues

I often see folks who have come from a lifetime of dieting, binge eating, restricting, over-exercising, constant "food noise", and body dissatisfaction. Our relationship to food and our bodies is often a symptom of greater pain and discomfort we don't know how to manage. We process these fears, discomfort, pain, and unresolved core issues, through gentle approaches toward understanding the disordered eating or body hatred, and moving toward body-trust and self trust.