Quinn Rivenburgh (they/them)

Art Therapy

Art therapy is a therapeutic modality that focuses on visual and metaphorical tools for healing emotional suffering. It is a way of externalizing the thoughts and feelings which cause pain. It is particularly useful for addressing issues in life that are hard to talk about—like grief, death, loss, trauma, hopes, dreams, and fears. ▵ Art therapy is not necessarily about creating beautiful works of art. It is about attending to the poetry and metaphor of our life stories.

Somatic Therapy (Body Centered)

Somatic Experiencing Therapy is a trauma-healing technique focused on the body. Because of the way that traumatic memories are stores in our brains and nervous systems, it is often not effective to merely talk about the trauma. This is because trauma reactions get "stuck" in the nervous system. Somatic Experiencing Therapy uses body-based tools to help mitigate and resolve trauma responses, in order to restore resilience and ease to a person's daily lived experience.

Feminist

Old-school therapy meant an 'expert' pronouncing declarations on the patient's problems. This style has caused a lot of harm, particularly to people facing systematic oppression. ▵Within the therapeutic relationship, I aim to reduce the hierarchy as much as possible to create a sense of freedom within sessions. I strive to meet you where you are at. I acknowledge, celebrate, and support explorations of the intersections of race, class, gender, sexuality, disability, and other axis of difference.

Narrative 

Narrative Therapy is a respectful, shame-reducing approach that considers you as the expert in your own life. It's my job to share tools to help you make sense of it. We will work collaboratively to determine your goals, mapping out the 'road' of therapy together, and working alongside one another to strategize any 'roadblocks' that are in your way. ▵ In the words of Victor Frankl, "an abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal behavior." You're not broken--you've survived so much.

Mindfulness-based

I am a yoga teacher and have an active meditation practice of my own. I have found trauma-informed mindfulness approaches a useful entry point for trauma survivors to begin to make friends with their bodies again. ▵ There is a history of trying to separate the mind and the body, which has caused untold damage for many people. I use gentle, safe methods, developed in collaboration with you, to return to the present moment. As always, consent is most important and we will move at your pace.

PTSD

Our bodies contain complex mechanisms for keeping us safe, and for surviving dangerous, often horrific experiences. However, sometimes we can get 'stuck' in survival mode. ▵ We will work together to build a container of safety, co-regulation, and trust within sessions. Then, at *your* pace, we will work to explore, make sense of, and discharge these difficult experiences.

Gender Identity

Every person deserves to live a life in their most congruent gender. I support folks in exploring their lived experience of gender, finding where misalignment occurs, and getting creative about realizing gender euphoria. We will explore any necessary transition steps, including social and medical transition. ▵ Our medical system currently creates many barriers to gender-affirming care. My aim is to mitigate these barriers and pave the way for access to care.

Cultural and Systemic Oppression

Our binary, individualistic norms in Western culture create shame and blame for people who are suffering--when in reality, so much of suffering are due to systems of oppression and power. ▵ Life is lived outside of check-marks on demographic forms; our experiences are nuanced and intersectional. We gain or lose access depending on our social location, in ways subtle and micro. I support you in mapping these systems, and strategizing with you toward surviving and thriving.

Compassion Fatigue

So many of us are caregivers. So many of us overfunction (go beyond our capacity) as caregivers. And for many of us, particularly those who are BIPOC, femme, queer, women, etc--we are expected to care for the world, and to clean up the messes of others. Sometimes, it's easier to care for others than to care for yourself. In addition, caregiving can be a trauma response in itself. ▵ Through exploring these dynamics and the boundaries we need to stay healthy, we can vow not to burn out.