About
Enough is enough.
The same patterns and ways of doing things are no longer working for you (or your loved ones). You are tired of being ruled by worries, overthinking, and self-judgment.
You are sick of feeling “less than” and like nothing you do is enough.
You feel like you have become a prisoner of the past, and you are ready to break free.
You just can’t shake this nagging feeling that something is missing.
Let’s talk about what you’re here for…
And that is a deep, personal transformation of your mind, body, and spirit.
Imagine what it would be like if your mind’s chatter did not rule every waking (and trying-to-sleep) moment of your life.
Imagine if you actually paid attention to that sinking feeling in your chest and learned to appreciate it and honor it, rather than ignore and numb it.
And imagine what it would be like to feel more like “you” and experience more joy, creativity, and connection.
A space where you feel safe, seen, and accepted… completely!
That’s my first goal, whether we’re meeting online or in person.
You don’t need any more judgment in your life – in fact, judgment is one of the largest roadblocks to your healing. So, I work hard to create a judgment-free space where ALL parts of you (even those most hidden) feel allowed and understood.
From the moment I greet you to the end of each session, you will feel my full presence, attention, and warmth.
As we get started, you’ll realize I’m not your average talk therapist.
I find that day-to-day minutiae can get in the way of real healing, so I won’t ask you how your week went.
Instead, we’ll begin with a grounding exercise.
It might just be a few breaths, or it might be longer. But the goal here is to help you learn how to quiet the mind and bring attention to your body and breath. This allows the energy of the day to settle and opens up space for further exploration –exploration of all of those things that lie below the surface – that your body has been storing without your even noticing.
We’ll then be guided by this question: “What feels important today?”
And this is where you get to decide. Perhaps you want to work on something very specific – resolving past trauma, figuring out what that tight feeling in your chest is trying to tell you, or learning strategies for quieting that self-critical voice. Or perhaps what feels important IS the day-to-day – that annoying co-worker or that fight you had with your spouse, and you just need somebody to talk to about it. And that is okay, too.
As we continue to explore and slow down, we’ll start to identify the patterned ways of feeling and being that are no longer serving you. We’ll find their root. Instead of pulling up the roots, we’ll douse them with compassion and understanding so that they may start to grow in a different way.
Where we go from there will vary, but…
It will likely involve using a combination of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to process past wounds, mindfulness, and meditation to tap into self-compassion and somatic practices to get in touch with your body’s unique wisdom.
I invite you to view My Approach for additional detail on these practices.
I also believe it is my duty to be the “record keeper.”
That means that I’ll weave a thread throughout our sessions. Therapy can become disjointed if we don’t build from one meeting to the next, so I’ll bring up relevant points from past sessions.
Your therapy journey will be unique, and the roadmap will be tweaked and tailored to your needs each time we meet.
I have a unique, outside-the-box perspective.
Maybe it comes from having lived in the Amazon rainforest for five years (more on that below!), traveling all over the world, being trained as a yoga instructor and meditation teacher, having a strong spiritual side, learning shamanic practices, or tending a bit toward the “woo” of life.
These experiences have taught me a deep acceptance, compassion, and gratitude for the human experience. They also have given me a unique repertoire of tools that might initially feel a bit different for you. I will probably ask you to close your eyes a lot (or look down if closing your eyes doesn’t feel safe!) in our sessions to become more aware of what your body feels about a certain topic; we will use guided imagery and your own imagination quite frequently; and I might give you homework that feels a bit silly at times.
After several months of working together…
My clients comment on the incredible shifts they experience. A client once said, “I feel more like ME.” While this journey won’t happen overnight, the therapy I offer brings faster, more lasting results than traditional talk therapy.
You’ll have a greater sense of self-compassion and self-acceptance.
You’ll be (pleasantly) surprised that you no longer have the same reactions as you used to.
You’ll feel more joy and energy.
About Me
My training was a bit unconventional.
Instead of pursuing clinical work after my graduate degree, I took a detour into the Peruvian Amazon.
For five years, I lived and worked in indigenous communities and with indigenous healers. I escaped river pirates, became handy with a machete, and witnessed awe-inspiring healing ceremonies.
It was adventurous and magical… but also painful, arduous, and messy. It was here that I was really able to create enough space to reflect and “unlearn” ways of being that were not helpful to me and “relearn” who I really was underneath it all. And, of course, my journey did not stop there. I continued to shed what was no longer serving me by doing therapy myself and other healing practices, leading me closer and closer to a full embrace of my unique, authentic Self.
I bring the wisdom of this learning and nearly 25 years of experience with yoga and meditation to my clinical practice.
Some of my more “conventional” education and training…
I have a joint master’s degree in Social Work and Natural Resources and the Environment from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. Some think this is a strange combination, but it’s the intersection of the environment and human well-being, which I regularly bring into my practice.
I am an EMDR-Approved Consultant. This is the highest level of training for an EMDR therapist, and I supervise other therapists who practice EMDR. I also have specific training in other somatic modalities such as Internal Family Systems, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and mindfulness-based therapies.
I am a lifelong learner, so I’m constantly updating my knowledge through training and ongoing consultation with experts in the field.
When I’m not working with clients…
I have two wonderful human children who take up A LOT of my time… and my old dog Wally (non-human child), whom I found in the middle of the Amazon 12 years ago.
You might also find me doing yoga, singing, running, reading books, or dreaming up my next adventure.
I am also a serious foodie and feel very thankful that I have a Peruvian partner who cooks delicious Peruvian meals!
Start your healing journey today!
Email me today to set up a free 15-minute consultation to see if we might be a good fit: agarrattcounseling@gmail.com.
During the consultation, I’ll ask you questions about current and past patterns that you feel stuck on and where you want to go. You can then ask any questions you might have.
From there, we can decide if we think we’d like to work together. If so, we’ll schedule your first appointment right there on the phone.