My Philosophy

My clients come from all walks of life, young and old, rich or poor, black, brown, white, and every color in between.  I have worked with homeless people, Veterans, children as young as four, and the most critically mentally ill.  I have experience working with those who have gender identity issues, those who identify as LGBTQ, divorcing couples, and people diagnosed with ADHD, autism, alcoholism, and more.  My heart is drawn to helping anyone who needs it, and I have spent a great deal of my life volunteering my time and services.  In fact, the biggest majority of my work and time has been given away freely, and I am fine with that when it happens.  In fact, I regularly devote about 25% of my time to non-paying clients because I believe it's right to give to those who need it most.  I know that my paying clients also feel good knowing that they are helping to support this work, as well.  

It might seem ironic to some that I have a great passion for helping those who are ultra wealthy, as well.  Many therapists balk at the idea that these people often suffer tremendously in toxic relationships or isolation.  Most of my wealthy clients have a very difficult time trusting others and often feel the weight of the world is upon them. I understand these struggles and have real world experience with famous athletes, musicians, actors, high-profile CEO's, and owners of businesses, entrepreneurs, etc. My unique approach to therapy and commitment to privacy allows this select group an opportunity to find peace and comfort from an empathetic professional with strong values who places a premium on getting results.  No matter who I work with, however, my commitment to discretion and building a trusting, collaborative relationship is the foundation of my practice.  

When it comes to improving our mental health or making great strides in changing unwanted behaviors, great outcomes can be difficult to achieve without help. My goal is to help everyone I work with find peace in mind, body, and spirit. I believe that many of us experience emotional trauma and pain that manifests into a physical reality within our bodies and minds. This can lead to chronic pain or autoimmune disorders, as well as, mental health issues like anxiety and depression.  People who suffer from significant weight gain or weight loss often have unresolved trauma, as well.  This is why I like to work with people who are battling weight issues, so that we can address the mental and behavioral health aspects that will allow for success.

 It really is important to get to the root cause of problems in order to heal.  Some people have experienced trauma from abuse and neglect, while others may have dealt with different types of abandonment, grief, or loss.  Most people have experienced some type of pain in life, whether through the death of a loved one, job loss, or failed relationships.  Many people have also experienced chronic illness or events that have changed their quality of life.  It is easy to get stuck or feel lost when you feel helpless or overwhelmed by any type of traumatizing event.  I have heard many people say that they feel ashamed for reacting the way they do to pain.  There is no right or wrong way to feel, but there are healthy and unhealthy ways of thinking and coping.

Without healthy ways of coping, many people turn to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate or numb their pain.  Others properly take prescription medications, which may help, but my feeling is that therapy is often the missing piece that helps people move forward, feel empowered, and find true healing.  

I like to think that we are all walking around in life with a toolbox.  Some people only have a hammer, and they use that hammer no matter what problems they face because everything they see looks like a nail.  A hammer works great when you need to smash something, but it doesn't work so well for handling delicate situations.  Hopefully, a therapist will offer you new and better tools to tackle different areas of your life.  This way, you end up with a nice variety of solutions for handling any problems you might encounter and can overcome whatever negative beliefs, thoughts, or feelings that you are carrying around from the past.

Hypnosis is a tool that I like to have in my toolbox.  It allows the active part of the mind a chance to slow down, which is really helpful for some people, especially those with anxiety.  The mind is such an exceptional and beautiful instrument, but one that we really do not fully understand.  There is not a consensus on why or how hypnosis works, but many people like myself have witnessed and experienced firsthand the therapeutic benefits.  I believe when it is used by a person who has extensive knowledge of evidence-based practices, it is very safe and effective.  

I have over 20 years of experience studying and practicing the art of hypnosis and realizing the amazing benefits.  I have seen people stop smoking after thirty years in only one session, I have seen surgeries without anesthesia and only hypnosis used, and I have seen people debilitated by phobias recover after one hypnosis session.  I have also seen the incredible benefit to athletes and performers.  That said, hypnosis is incredibly effective and useful, but it does not always work for everyone.

I believe there are several reasons for this, but I can say that if a person inherently does not want it to work, it won't.  People with control issues, for example, often sabotage the process out of fear that they are somehow turning over their freewill.  Whether it has to do with a lack of trust or misinformation about what really happens during hypnosis, I think with education and understanding, this can be prevented.  There is a lot of misinformation that I try to clear up before a session. 

Another thing that is imperative, in my opinion, is for the hypnotherapist to be committed to the process.  I don't know if some people become complacent over time, but therapists should realize the importance of their own beliefs and attitudes on their clients' ability to improve.  I believe there is a powerful synergy that occurs when both people are invested equally in creating positive change.  I also believe that every person can be hypnotized, based upon my definition of what that means.  I explain more in the "What is Hypnosis?" section of the website.  In my years of practice, I have never encountered someone who could not be hypnotized if they wanted to be.  Of course, with freewill, we can always stop the process from happening.

Psychotherapy is complex in that there are hundreds of techniques and approaches for therapists to use.  I believe that different people and circumstances respond well to different methods, so I have an integrative or eclectic style.  I often incorporate Solutions Focused Therapy because, as the name implies, the focus is on finding solutions to problems, rather than dwelling on the past.  I also employ methods used in Humanistic Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Systemic Therapy, Transpersonal Psychology, and Somatic Psychology.  I might use Breathwork, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, or any combination of all of the above methods when working with my clients. 

I am also a Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapist.  I work with a medical team who is responsible for prescribing the medication.  If you have questions about it, please contact me.

I am not the authority when it comes to your body and mind, you are!  I just try to help you make sense of things if you feel confused and/or help you navigate the choices in front of you.  I am not here to tell you what choices to make, rather, I am just here to guide and facilitate your journey as you define your own path.

I am a very spiritual person and am happy to incorporate spiritual beliefs like prayer into a session, but every person is unique, and I understand that does not interest everyone.  I put it out there just so people who are interested know that I believe in the power of prayer, I believe we are energy beings, and I believe my intentional desire to see you find healing helps turn that into reality.  If you don't believe in that, it's okay with me.  I am not here to push my ideas onto you, but rather, to understand the person that you are and help you accomplish your goals.  I am non-judgmental, flexible, respectful, and offer you a peaceful, confidential space to work through whatever challenges you are facing.

The therapeutic relationship is not a friendship, but one that requires honesty and mutual trust and respect in the same way that a friendship does.  I value and cherish each person, admire their courage and commitment to change, and promise to do my very best to help them reach their goals.  My hope is that it happens in the fewest number of sessions possible.  Time is money and you need to move on with your life!  Realistically, however, some people need more time than others.  We will always be evaluating your progress and determining if you are meeting your goals in a timely fashion.

If I believe that someone else would do a better job for you, I will be the first to let you know. Obviously, I am not an expert in every type of problem, so if I know of someone who might be better qualified to tackle a specific issue that you are facing, I will make you aware of it. I also work collaboratively with many other practitioners.  In my physical office, I work as a team with a Medical Director and many Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Physician Assistants, Medical Assistants, Estheticians, and Massage Therapists.  When I work on weight loss issues, for example, I am able to incorporate my team to help with nutrition advice, blood lab analysis, hormone therapy, and offer prescription medications.  I also work with practitioners outside of my office when needed.  Often times, I will consult with a client's general practitioner, for example, with permission.  I believe that collaborative care is important for some people to achieve the best possible outcomes in their physical and mental health.  The important thing is that I evaluate each person very thoughtfully and incorporate a team-based approach, so that my clients receive a customized treatment plan that is unique to what they usually find elsewhere.  

I also see many clients over video and have some who just want to talk on the phone.  There are times I also go offsite to meet clients where they are, for example, if someone is in the hospital or unable to drive.  Last year, I implemented "walk and talk" therapy with several clients where we walked by the lake at my office during our session.  I am flexible and just want to make sure you are in an environment that makes you feel safe where you can get the most out of our session(s) together.  I am licensed to practice in Colorado and Texas, so for those who are located too far from me, we just schedule Telehealth sessions.  The law requires that my clients live in one of these two states and is physically located in one of those places during our session(s).

To that end, just know that I cannot want all of this for you more than you want it for yourself.  You have to be willing to receive the help and do the work that is required to make improvements.  If you give 100% and I give 100%, there is no doubt that you will walk away from the experience better off than you were.  There is also no doubt that I will walk away a much better person from knowing you, as well!  I would not be doing this work if I didn't find myself continuously learning and growing each and every day from my clients' experiences and discoveries.  It is a joy and an honor, and I am blessed and humbled every day by the courage and commitment that people have to living and experiencing a life of exceptional meaning and value.  

"Life is the art of drawing without an eraser." 

~ John W. Gardner

That is my philosophy, anyway...

Lara