• Kelly Medeiros-Wheeler is trained in EMDR
• Molly Sterling is trained in EMDR
• Caitlin Schrage is trained in EMDR
• Nicole Smith-Juarez is trained in EMDR
• Carmen Calvert is trained in EMDR
• Sarah Parnell is trained in EMDR
• Bobby Messer is trained in Brainspotting
• Jayotta Feimoefiafi is trained in EMDR
• Sarah Alexander is trained in EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Internal Family Systems

Emotions are a crucial aspect of psychology and, thus, mental health. Unfortunately, families and society tend to pass judgement on emotions rather than teach or honor their function. To give you an idea of just how very emotion-phobic our culture is, even professional therapists (social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists) are not educated as to the function of emotions in their formal training. As a result, even therapists tend to offer only suggestions on how to regulate or control emotions. In the spirit of Karla McLaren‘s quote above, we here at Brave Acorn make space for people to explore their own emotions as bridges (rather than obstructions) to healing and growth.

Most people who come to see us about weight issues believe that that their weight, food, or body is the problem: “If I could just [be my ideal weight, eat what I should, fix my metabolism, etc.], I would be better and my life would be so much easier.” Our society’s so-called “obesity epidemic” did not originate with weight problems, however; weight wasn’t and isn’t the problem. Instead, over the centuries, authorities from various walks of life (and with various motives) have determined that people need to eat or look a certain way in order to be “good,” “attractive,” or “healthy.” In the spirit of Albert Einstein’s quote above, we do not attempt to help people solve their weight issues by helping them fit into society’s current transient ideal. Instead, we help people shift to an entirely different way of thinking about (and treating) their own bodies and relationship with food.