What Are Client’s Saying?

A NARM session begins with a process called contracting, where we take time to get clear on what feels most important to you. The therapist may ask, "What are you wanting for yourself?" or "What would you like for yourself today?" Through curiosity and exploration, we uncover your heartfelt desire—what you are most longing for. This could be a greater sense of peace, freedom, feeling enough, or something else meaningful to you. Rather than setting a specific goal or trying to “fix” something, we explore what you want for yourself—not just what you want to move away from, but what you’d like to move toward. This intention-setting helps guide our work and gives direction to the session, allowing your healing process to unfold in a way that feels authentic and meaningful.

Curiosity is at the heart of NARM, creating space for deeper and more meaningful exploration. Rather than making assumptions or interpreting your experiences for you, we approach everything with openness and genuine interest in your unique perspective. Curiosity invites us to slow down and notice what is unfolding in the present moment—without judgment or pressure to change. It allows us to explore your patterns of connection and disconnection with warmth and compassion, helping you uncover new insights about yourself. In this process, we don’t search for answers or force a specific outcome; instead, we trust that by staying curious, your own wisdom will naturally emerge. This creates an empowering space where healing happens organically, at a pace that feels right for you.m description

You are the driver of the session. As a NARM therapist, I will not push an agenda or tell you what you should do. My role is to support your agency—your ability to make choices that feel right for you. Rather than giving advice or leading you in a particular direction, I trust that you hold an innate wisdom about your own healing process. Many who have experienced complex trauma feel disconnected from this inner wisdom or have had it ignored or dismissed by others. In our work together, I offer curiosity, reflection, and support as you explore what feels most authentic and meaningful for you. There is no “right” way to heal, and we move at your pace, always honoring your boundaries and comfort. By strengthening your connection to yourself, you naturally develop greater self-trust, confidence, and the freedom to engage with life in a way that aligns with who you truly are.

NARM is a deeply relational model that recognizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship as a central part of the healing process. Unlike more analytic models, which focus primarily on cognitive insights or techniques, NARM sees the relationship between the therapist and client as a vital space for healing and growth. Throughout our work together, I may ask if I can share my experience of our time together or what’s happening for me in the moment. You may hear me ask, “Can I share my experience as you shared that?”, “Would it be okay if I share what’s happening for me?”, or “Can I share my observations from when we first started and where you are now?” This invitation fosters a mutual space of vulnerability and honesty, allowing us both to stay attuned to the present moment and the patterns that arise. By sharing my experience, I can offer reflections that may help you better understand your own, while also reinforcing the importance of connection and trust in our work together.

As a NARM therapist, I am continually attuning to your aliveness—the part of you that feels connected, engaged, and present. I track how you move in and out of connection and disconnection, noticing shifts that might show up physically, emotionally, or cognitively. These shifts, often experienced as expansions and contractions, can be subtle, like a deep breath, a change in posture, or a moment of hesitation in your words. Rather than pathologizing these responses, we approach them with curiosity, recognizing them as adaptive patterns that have helped you navigate life. By bringing gentle awareness to these patterns, we create opportunities for new choices—allowing more space for connection, self-compassion, and the freedom to experience yourself in a new way.

In sessions, you’ll often hear me ask, “What are you experiencing?”, “How does that land for you?”, or “What is it like to say that out loud?” These questions help bring awareness to what’s happening in your body in the present moment, allowing us to tune into the subtle relationship between your nervous system, thoughts, emotions, and body sensations. Due to trauma, we might not always have words to describe what our body is holding—and that’s okay! We simply remain present and curious about how your body is showing up. In NARM, we understand that the body holds deep wisdom, often expressing things we may not yet have language for. Tension, shifts in breath, or a sense of expansion or contraction can all offer valuable insight into patterns of connection and disconnection. Rather than analyzing or forcing change, we gently bring attention to these experiences with curiosity and compassion. As NARM therapists, we track biopsychological shifts and support the process of disidentifying from old survival strategies that may no longer serve you. This mindful, body-focused approach allows for deeper self-awareness, helping you reconnect with yourself.

In the NARM process, we allow integration to unfold naturally. You may hear me say, “Is it okay to just sit with that?” or “You can take some time to let that sink in.” This process involves bringing together the insights and awareness gained during therapy with your everyday life—sitting with the new shift and allowing it to sink in while helping your nervous system regulate and rewrite itself. Over time, this approach helps you live more in tune with your true self, creating lasting change that feels natural and sustainable.