top of page

About Me

Life is certainly a journey, and mine has been no exception.

​

I have been walking the healing path for many years, finding the support I needed to grow with each step. Through this, I've discovered various types of therapy, yoga, meditation, dance, music, and more. My greatest support, however, was finding connections which provided a healthy container to heal.

​

The healing journey can be a lonely one. I journeyed a long time before finding the right connections to support me. That is why I feel called and honored to often be the first support for people on their own healing journeys.

​

What I offer people is my presence. I’m very intuitive and work with emotional attunement, feeling and understanding how others are feeling both emotionally and somatically.

​

I can use these skills to help individuals reconnect with their feelings, in a safe way. Many people are disconnected from their bodies and emotions, so being able to feel these things in myself allows me to be able to help others in navigating them within themselves.

​

I especially enjoy connecting people to their wild, sometimes scary, rejected or shadow parts. Things like anger, fear, and sadness can sometimes be overwhelming, especially if we have learned that these aspects are not safe to feel or express.

 

I personally know the courage it takes to investigate one's self and to make deep, lasting change. This gives me an incredible amount of respect, care, and patience for the people I work with.

​

Having a Bachelor's degree in Psychology as well as a Master's in Pschological Counseling provides a solid base for me to accompany others in a therapeutic setting, while additional training in Somatic Experiencing,  Attachment Theory, Self-Compassion, Mindfulness, and others have allowed me to deepen my work.

​

I am experienced in working with people of diverse cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and life experiences. I am American, speak English & French fluently,  and have been living abroad since 2011.

MELISSA-8_edited.jpg
My Approach
Education

2022 - Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Certificate, SE Spain

2013 - Master of Counseling, Webster University Geneva
2009 - Bachelor of Psychology, University of Toledo

Experience

2014 - Present - Psychological Counselor, Wellness Counseling Geneva

2023 - Junior Teaching Assistant, Somatic Experiencing Spain & Hungary

2015 - Social Skills Group Facilitator, All Special Kids, Geneva

2013 - Counseling Intern, St Vincent’s Adolescent Hospital, Dublin

2012 - 2013 - Counseling Intern, Private Practice, Geneva

2012 - 2013 - Counseling Intern, La Roseraie Migrant Centre, Geneva

2011 - 2013 - Counseling Intern, Webster University Geneva

2011 - 2012 - Counseling Intern, Aiglon College, Chesières

2011 - Graduate Assistant, Wellness Center, Eastern Michigan University

Certifications

Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP)
Swiss Association for Counseling (SGfB) Counsellor
Swiss Foundation for Complementary Medicine (ASCA) Member

Continuing Education

2023 - The Energetics of Intimacy, Attachment and Sexuality with Ariel Giarretto, Polarity, Zurich
2023 - Somatic Experiencing Queer Supervision Group with Elmo Painter-Edington & Meggie Twible (online)
2022 - 2023 - Working with Non-Monogamous Clients Supervision Group with Yana Tallon-Hicks (online)
2022 - Touch and Somatic Listening Workshop with Pedro Prado, Somatic Experiencing Spain
2019 - 2022 - Somatic Experiencing Training with Pedro Prado, Somatic Experiencing Spain
2021 - Mindful, Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training, Yoga Medicine (online)
2021 - Gender Dysphoria and Supporting Young People with Transgender Identities, SDS Seminars UK (online)
2021 - Nightmares and Anxiety Dreams in Times of Crisis, Jung Platform (online)
2020 - Dealing with Times of Turbulence and Fear: Somatic Experiencing and COVID-19 with Peter Levine (online)
2019 - Mindful Self-Compassion Workshop with Kristen Neff, The Mindfulness Project, London
2019 - Mindfulness for Sleep Workshop with Dr. Katharina Lederle, The Mindfulness Project, London
2018 - Multicultural Counseling with Immigrant and Refugee Communities, American Counseling Association (online)
2018 - Levels of Insight with Marianne Bentzen, Polarity, Zurich
2018 - Somatic Experiencing Introduction with Dominique Dégranges, Polarity, Lausanne
2018 - Safe Space Program, Campus Pride (online)
2017 - Hakomi Method Workshop with Sophie Cattier, Geneva
2017 - Supporting Clients Dealing with Chronic Illness and Health Crisis, Workplace Options (online)
2016 - Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1 - The Gottman Institute
2016 - Helping Clients Deal with Anxiety, Stress, and Depression, Workplace Options (online)
2016 - Helping Clients with Workplace Stress and Bullying, Workplace Options (online)
2012 - Workshop on the Feminine from a Jungian Perspective, Webster University Geneva
2011 - Conference on Supporting Individuals & Families in Transition, Webster University Geneva
2011 - Depression on College Campuses Conference, University of Michigan

Plant
My Approach
bottom of page