Spotted Rabbit Studio .

The vast majority of individuals who come to therapy have a history of trauma, although most don't realize it. While some folks grew up in obviously abusive households, others grew up with families who were well intentioned but lacked true emotional connection with each other. As a result, adults who have experienced childhood emotional neglect often struggle to be their authentic self and to allow themselves to feel and validate their emotional experiences. People pleasing is a common trait, as is rebelling against rules and authority as they never really got their needs met growing up and aren't really sure how to do so now as an adult. Spotted Rabbit Studio sees that every client's current beliefs and behaviors are not only a response to their previous life experiences, but attempts to protect themselves emotionally and/or get their needs met. Our therapists will assist you in identifying your traumatic triggers, and help you understand how trauma has changed your brain functioning so you can stop trying to fight yourself to act differently. We encourage emotional acceptance and validation, while creating opportunities to practice different ways of acting on these emotions so that they don't negatively impact your life. Additionally, we spend time strengthening your sense of self and taking action toward your own personal values so that you are living a life full of meaning and purpose.

Diets don't work. In fact, diets are the number one risk factor for obesity and eating disorders. We believe you know your own body best, and so we utilize intuitive eating practices to put you back in control of making decisions about food. In a nutshell intuitive eating is eating when you are hungry, and stopping when you are satisfied. Simple in theory but complex in application. We use mindfulness practices to help you get back in touch with your emotions and with your body. Most people use binging or restricting to numb out, so we provide guidance on how to sit with uncomfortable thoughts and emotions, increasing what you are able to tolerate. Spotted Rabbit Studio doesn't just treat the symptoms; Our therapists get to the root of what is leading you to use food related behaviors to cope. Often, folks with disordered have experienced trauma and/or abuse so we start by processing those experiences and helping you take action to create a more meaningful life. We also focus on empowering you with more effective communication skills, and better awareness of what is needed to develop and maintain healthy relationships, including setting boundaries and letting go of toxic relationships when needed. Lastly, our therapists truly believe that all bodies are worthy and we follow a HAES (Health at Every Size) philosophy with our clients, and with ourselves. We've done the research and know that being fat doesn't automatically make you unhealthy. We also know that you can take some steps right now that will improve your health even if your weight doesn't change at all. We're here to support you in being the best version of yourself possible while maintaining a balance of emotional and physical wellness.

At Spotted Rabbit Studio we tend to use art making in one of three ways within sessions. For many people, art-making gives them something else to focus on during session, reducing anxiety and allowing them to open up more with the therapist. Other times we use art-making as a tool to develop insight. We may offer specific prompts to engage you in exploring your experiences, tapping into feelings you have pushed aside. Most people have less defenses around visual expression, and so often find things in their artwork that haven't shown themselves in writing or conversation. Art making can also be used for healing by creating objects to be used ritually, to hold specific emotions, and to honor certain experiences. Most notably art making happens in the present. While making art we experience joy, frustration, anger, sadness, etc. as we challenge ourselves with new materials and ideas. This offers opportunities for our therapists to support clients as they practice grounding techniques and other coping strategies in the moment, with emotions at full intensity. Our therapists work in an art studio and provide clients with access to all kinds of materials from painting and drawing, to ceramics, to sewing, to woodworking and everything in between. We'd love to help you find your creative voice!