Emotion Coaching 

Emotion coaching is an embodied approach to working with difficult feelings—one that honors emotions as natural experiences rather than problems to fix or forces to control. In my work, emotions are not “good” or “bad,” and they are not who you are. They are sensations, signals, and states that move through the body and nervous system.

Through a somatic coaching lens, we slow down and learn how to sit with emotions safely and gently. Instead of pushing feelings away, avoiding them, or becoming overwhelmed by them, we practice noticing what is happening in the body with curiosity and care. This creates space to relate to emotions with reassurance, comfort, and compassion—even in moments of suffering.

Somatic strategies teach us that healing happens not by avoiding discomfort, but by staying present with it in manageable ways. Together, we build the capacity to observe emotions, speak to ourselves with kindness, and offer the nervous system a sense of safety. Over time, this fosters a healthier, more trusting relationship with your emotional world—one where emotions no longer feel frightening, controlling, or overwhelming.

Emotion coaching is about learning that you can be with your feelings without being consumed by them, and that within that presence, relief, regulation, and resilience naturally emerge.

Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC)

Led by Dr. Kristin Neff’s research, Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is empirically validated and offers practical tools that help people become a warm supportive friend to themselves when difficult times arise in their lives. Objectives of MSC include: motivating self through encouragement rather than self-criticism, relating to emotions with greater acceptance, practicing self-appreciation and integrating core mindfulness and self-compassion exercises into daily life.

MSC recognizes that individuals can’t berate or shame themselves into optimal health, happy relationships, or career success. MSC teaches that responding kindly to ourselves in the face of struggle, just as we would a dear friend, is much more likely to lead to long-term well-being.

To read more about Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), click HERE.

Trauma-Informed Yoga

Trauma-informed yoga is an approach to creating a safe, supportive space in which individuals can learn emotional regulation skills through connection with the breath and increased body awareness.

Trauma-informed yoga supports healing by:

– Widening the window of tolerance

– Fostering self-compassion

– Strengthens vagal tone

– Honoring choice

– Building safety & reliance

– Rebuilding neuroplasticity

– Strengthening coping skills

– Compliments therapy through body work

Zabie Yamasaki, M.Ed, RYT is well-known throughout California and nationally for her work to bring trauma-informed yoga into places of healing. She founded a trauma-informed yoga program at UCLA’s Student Center and her program is now at all University of California locations for students. She offers trauma-informed trainings for healing professionals which I am honored to participate in.

To read more about trauma-informed yoga, click HERE.

Brainspotting (BSP)

Brainspotting is effective for a wide variety of emotional and somatic conditions. Brainspotting is particularly effective with with trauma-based situations, helping to identify and heal underlining trauma that contributes to anxiety, depression and other behavioral conditions. It can also be very effective in performance enhancement to reduce mental and emotional blocks.

Brainspotting gives a therapist access to both brain and body processes. Its goal is to bypass the conscious, neocortical thinking to access the deeper, subcortical emotional and body-based parts of the brain.

BSP was founded by Dr. David LeGrand, PhD in 2003 based of his clinical experience and research of (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) EMDR & trying to find a faster and perhaps more effective model to access the same stored trauma in the brain to develop new neuropathways for healing much in the same way EMDR scientifically does.

To read more about BSP, click HERE.

Inner Child Work

A lot of our emotional struggle as adults is the result of unresolved trauma from childhood. In order to understand our emotions and the ways we cope with them, we may examine the messages, events, and interactions with our family of origin. This is what us therapists call “Inner Child Work.”

Connecting with our inner child helps us understand childhood wounds that may be triggered during present relational interactions. Therapist and client work together to help client cultivate an inner observer and enable healthy mirroring of self, needs, experiences, and coping.

Often when our childhood wounds are triggered, we we act in unconscious ways to get our needs met that may stem from deep-rooted childhood patterns of attachment or survival. A child needs healthy mirroring or validation in order to be seen, heard and loved. Guided visualizations and mindfulness are used to participate in dialogue with your younger self. Somatic awareness is increased.

While we can’t erase the psychological scares, trauma, and pain, we can heal them and change our experience of them by creating a more empowered way or relating to our past and present selves.

Art 

Art is powerful, offering unique and non-verbal means of processing emotions and experiences. This approach emphasizes the journey over the final product, fostering self-exploration, emotional release, and personal growth. 

Through art, you can address and cope with a range of mental health challenges, from anxiety and depression to trauma and grief. It provides a safe space to externalize and make sense of complex feelings, ultimately promoting healing and improved well-being. Art therapy’s inclusive nature ensures that anyone, regardless of their artistic skill, can tap into its transformative potential, making it a valuable tool in pursuing emotional balance and self-discovery.

Emotional Expression: Art allows you to express emotions that may be challenging to articulate verbally. Those grappling with trauma, grief, or complex life events may find this especially beneficial. Through art, you can externalize your inner turmoil, making it easier to confront and process.

Self-Exploration: Engaging in artistic activities can lead to self-discovery and self-reflection. As you create art, you may uncover hidden aspects of yourself, gain clarity on your thoughts and feelings, and develop a deeper understanding of your identity.

Communication and Connection: Art can be a powerful means of communication, particularly if you struggle with verbal expression. It can foster connections with others, allowing you to share your experiences and feelings in a non-threatening way.

Holistic Health Practioner

I am currently studying to become a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner. This program covers the following: human development, emotional resilience, creativity and purposeful living, foundations of healthy bodies, exercise, diet and rest, detoxification and cleansing, nutrition and gut health, and focusing energy for health. I look forward to offering my clients a well-rounded approach to health which includes the physical and mental/emotional. I think now so more than ever people understand everything in our bodies and in the systems in which we live are connected. Our gut health, our sleep, our nutrition, and how we align our energies, all impact our emotional and mental health. This study is about helping my clients become more centered and well as a whole.