What is a gentle way session?

A gentle way session is a calm, steady space where you don’t have to perform, push yourself, or pretend you’re fine. We move at the pace your nervous system can actually hold — a pace most millennial women rarely get to experience in the rest of their lives.

Nothing is rushed. Nothing is forced.

Instead, we follow your body, your capacity that day, and the quiet parts of you that are tired of always being “the strong one.”

With gentle invitation, we slowly explore the places that feel overwhelming or confusing, without pushing you into anything too deep, too fast.

Sometimes it’s noticing where your body tightens when a certain memory comes up.

Sometimes it’s borrowing the regulated nervous system of the practitioner as a way to co-regulate and learn what that feels like in your body.

Sometimes it’s realizing the goal is not to feel safe all the time, but to expand our capacity and tolerance to be in our bodies in a new way.

Everything is invitational.

This work blends the practices of somatic experiencing, embodied awareness, internal family systems parts work, inner child tending, and grounded coaching to help you see your story with more compassion — and slowly loosen what’s been holding you back or keeping you stuck.

The goal isn’t to “fix” you. It’s to help you soften, notice, breathe again, and gently shift the things you’ve been white-knuckling your way through for years.

Most people describe it as finally getting to exhale — a place where your system unclenches, your story makes more sense, and you feel a little less alone inside yourself.

Where do we meet?

I offer several options so you can choose what feels safest and most supportive for your nervous system:

• Virtual Sessions – Most clients meet with me online via a secure video platform. This option is flexible, accessible, and especially helpful for neurodivergent clients or anyone who prefers the comfort of their own space.

• In-Person Sessions (Salem, Oregon area) – If you’re local, I offer a limited number of in-person sessions in spaces within about 30 minutes of Salem. Locations vary depending on availability and the type of session you’re seeking.

What modalities do you use in a session?

Sessions are fluid and tailored to what you need. They may include:

• Somatic Experiencing to help your body unwind tension, settle activation, and find more internal space.

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) to meet the parts of you that feel scared, pressured, protective, or young.

• Inner child work to tend tender places that need reassurance and safety.

• Embodied coaching to gently support change wherever you feel stuck or unsure.

• Emotional support and presence when life feels heavy, confusing, or overwhelming.

Each session weaves these together differently, depending on what your system needs most.

How many sessions might I need or want?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer — and I won’t promise quick nervous system transformation.

Many clients begin with a short series (4–6 sessions) to build foundational regulation skills and see how their system responds. This can create meaningful awareness and stabilization.

For most clients — especially those navigating burnout, chronic masking, shutdown cycles, or developmental trauma — sustainable shifts in baseline regulation typically unfold over several months, not weeks. Some choose to continue for longer-term support as deeper layers of capacity and resilience grow.

We move at the pace your nervous system can actually integrate. Progress is often subtle and nonlinear at first. Our goal is not dramatic breakthroughs — it’s increased capacity, choice, and steadiness in your daily life.

We’ll reassess together as we go. There’s no pressure to commit long-term — and no expectation that meaningful healing should happen quickly.

Is this therapy?

No — I’m not functioning as a licensed therapist in this work.

My role is a somatic practitioner, spiritual companion, and trauma-informed guide. While the work is therapeutic, it is not a clinical therapeutic relationship.

How will I know if this work is helping?

Progress in nervous system work is often subtle at first.

Many clients begin noticing small shifts such as:

• recognizing overwhelm earlier

• recovering from stress more quickly

• feeling slightly more choice in how they respond

• experiencing moments of calm or steadiness that used to feel out of reach

• needing less energy to “hold it all together”

These changes may seem small, but they often signal that your nervous system is beginning to build real capacity.

We’ll regularly pause to reflect on what you’re noticing — both in sessions and in daily life — so the process stays collaborative and grounded in your experience.

What is your training in?

I hold a Master of Divinity and bring 20 years of experience in pastoral care, spiritual guidance, and community leadership.

As an autistic and ADHD practitioner, I offer a deeply embodied, neurodivergent-affirming approach to healing.

When the Gentle Way opens, I’ll be a somatic practitioner and IFS-informed (Internal Family Systems).

Who is this work especially supportive for?

The gentle way is designed for people who want a softer, slower, deeply compassionate approach — especially:

• Neurodivergent adults (ADHD, autism, highly sensitive people)

• Millennial women and caretakers who feel stretched thin

• People navigating burnout or overwhelm

• Those deconstructing or healing from religious trauma

• Leaders, pastors, and helpers who hold a lot for others

• Anyone carrying grief, heartbreak, loss, or major life transition

You don’t have to mask, perform, or explain yourself here.

How do you support neurodivergent clients?

I offer a sensory-friendly, flexible, and shame-free space. We work with your pacing, your communication style, your regulation needs, and your processing patterns. Stimming, pausing, not making eye contact, moving around, or needing structure are all welcome here.

What if I’m deconstructing my faith or healing from spiritual harm?

You’re in the right place. I offer a nonjudgmental, spacious framework that honors your autonomy and questions.

Sessions can explore meaning-making, identity, boundaries, religious trauma, grief, and rebuilding trust in yourself.

Can this help with grief or heartbreak?

Yes. The gentle way offers a soft landing for grief — not to rush it, fix it, or make it neat, but to help you stay connected to yourself while navigating loss. We tend the body, the parts of you that feel broken or scared, and the emotional waves that rise and fall.

What if I’m a pastor or leader who holds too much?

I specialize in supporting people who care for others: pastors, therapists, educators, community leaders. Sessions give you space to unravel the pressure, find your own voice again, and reconnect with your body’s truth beneath the expectations.

How do we decide what to work on in each session?

At the beginning of each session, I’ll ask what feels most present for you. We follow your body’s cues, your parts, your emotions, and your needs in the moment. Some weeks you may want clarity and direction; other weeks you may want grounding and support. Both are welcome.

What should I expect to feel during or after a session?

Most clients describe feeling:

• More grounded and settled

• Softer around the edges

• More in touch with their inner world

• A sense of clarity or relief

• Less bracing in their body

• More permission to be human

Sometimes there’s tenderness too — the good kind, the kind that means something real is shifting.

What are the next steps if I want to work with you?

Beginning in late summer 2026, you can schedule a free 30-minute consult to see if we’re a good fit.

In that conversation, we’ll talk about your needs, your story, and what kind of support feels right for you. There’s no pressure, no hard sell — just a gentle, human conversation.

Is there a way to support this work so others can benefit?

Yes. Many have shared a need for work like this that’s more than a typical pastor can offer but isn’t quite therapy and navigating insurance. If you want to be a part of seeing this kind of work available to others, consider making a donation to support our efforts!