Anya Valsamakis (she/her)

Somatic Therapy (Body Centered)

I use Rubenfeld Synergy and Nueroaffective Touch, body-mind therapy methods that uses your body as the starting point, because your body is home to your thoughts, feelings, and your spirit. Touch heightens awareness both physically and emotionally and allows the exploration of levels of self-knowledge that are difficult to access through either talk or touch alone.

Eclectic

My therapy approach is to use tools from several best practice therapy models, depending on my client’s issues and needs. Such models include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Rubenfeld Synergy, and Mindfulness Based Practices. For more information about my areas of focus, visit the Areas of Focus page at http://www.pravdacounseling.com

Women's Issues

One of my central areas of focus over the past twenty years has been the empowerment of women and girls, and I have worked in many nonprofit organizations in the field. Recurring themes with which I have experience include gender dynamics in relationships, power relations between women, and family pressures, particularly on work/family/self development.

Domestic Abuse

I have worked in the domestic violence field and have extensive training in how relationship violence impacts a person. I also have taught Career Counseling at a community college. I love the excitement of helping people explore their dreams and link them to practical resources, drawing a map for how to get there.

Self-Esteem

In addition to traditional talk therapy for issues such as self-esteem, I have studied Neuroaffective Touch and Rubenfeld Synergy, forms of treatment that enable clients to listen to the messages of the body and to bring awareness, understanding, relief, and transformation to their lives. This happens through gentle touch and reflective listening in a safe, supportive environment.

Loss or Grief

I specialize in the immigrant and refugee experience, and have worked for over twenty years as a cultural worker. As a first-generation Russian-American, I am able to understand and help individuals and families with tools to cope with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, acculturation shock, and other issues related to immigration.