Lavinia Magliocco (she/they)

Somatic Therapy (Body Centered)

I incorporate QiGong, a Chinese medical-spiritual practice based on Traditional Chinese Medicine to help clients experience connection with their body in a non-performative, attuned way. Evidence based studies show that Qigong has been successful in alleviating symptoms of PTSD, chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. QiGong is a gateway to enhancing awareness, mindfulness, and self-regulation. QiGong is in alignment with Polyvagal practice.

Psychodynamic 

We notice how you relate with me. This reveals a lot about how you relate to others & the world. We'll use this to examine your patterns of communicating & (dis)connecting. For example, you may not have been able to stand up for yourself in your family of origin. You may have had to please, appease, rage or flee, & you likely will do it with me. Together we'll reflect on our dynamics in the "here and now" to figure out: Is it still working for you, or would another way of responding work better?

Existential

I draw from an existential perspective, guided by the belief that each individual possesses wisdom capable of navigating life's complexities towards greater freedom, connection, and well-being. While we may not have control over many external factors, we hold the power to liberate ourselves from repetitive, unfulfilling patterns of behavior, thought, and emotion.

Relational 

J Pittman McGeehee, a Jungian spiritual teacher, wrote: "I alone must become myself, but I cannot become myself alone." Healing is relational, chronic trauma (CPTSD) wounds are relational wounds, so the therapeutic relationship provides co-regulation, allows your nervous system to learn new paths, and serves as a corrective emotional experience.

Chronic Pain or Illness

People with chronic illness often come from difficult family of origin dynamics. I bring somatic, trauma-informed lens to working with chronic illness, pain, disability. As someone with Crohn's disease, I have personal experience with financial, sexual, career, and relational sequelae of chronic illness. I use an integral lens that includes mindfulness practices for symptom relief as well as practical skills to manage ADL's.

Anxiety

Being human inevitably arouses anxiety, often through trauma-related ruptures early in life. I work more with generalized anxiety disorder that shows up as social anxiety, body dysmorphia, compulsive thoughts and behaviors. through the lens that anxiety is often trying to keep us safe. I work relationally & use somatic interventions to help people learn self & co-regulation skills to connect authentically with Self and Other.

Depression

Physical illness & depression often accompany each other. Even without a diagnosable illness, depression lives in the body as a kind of heaviness, an inability to find satisfaction or joy, a sense of hopelessness that pervades all aspects of life. I use a somatic, relational, & trauma-informed lens with practices to help clients integrate skills that are not just cognitive. Although thoughts contribute to depression. I include mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual interventions.

Historical Trauma

I'm first generation Italian-American, my Jewish grandmother was part of an extensive diaspora, & I'm also Sicilian. Our ancestors' lives inform us through patterns that live in our very cells. Whether through war, genocide, dispossession, abuse, violence, loss, and (im)migration, having a place to uncover stories, explore family dynamics, and make choices based on your preferences rather than constraints is crucial for personal recovery as well as healthy relationships.