Raina LaGrand (she/her)

The historical and persistent impact of colonialism, white-body supremacy, and heteropatriarchy impacts us more than we consciously realize, particularly because such trauma has been decontextualized and blends in as "the norm." As we become more conscious we tend to realize this impact more. This is both a gift and a tremendous burden as we are thrown into grieving centuries of suffering beyond our individual experience. I can hold space for you here; we can grieve together.

I have helped individuals who struggle with concepts such as codependency, borderline personality disorder, social anxiety, and distrust. I also work with two-partner relationships: romantic couples, family, friends, and colleagues as well. If you need a therapist who works with more than two partners I can provide a recommendation. I most heavily draw from Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, The Gottman Institute, Family Systems Therapy, as well as feminist and cultural practices.

Research time and time again points to the vitalness of relationships and connection in our lives. I believe the relationships we choose are opportunities to practice new behaviors and values that weren't available to us in previous relationships. While you may worry that differences, disagreement, misunderstanding, or insecurity in relationships signals failure, with the right skills we can use these moments to foster deeper connection and fulfillment.

I have an extensive training background in trauma treatment, including Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Neuropsychology, Movement for Trauma, and others. I've helped people who have experienced sexual assault, medical trauma, and other shock trauma experiences. I know how hopeless you might feel about ever feeling safe again. I can assure you that life beyond trauma is possible!

We already sometimes speak about ourselves in parts, often when we feel split or ambivalent about something (e.g. "Well, a part of me thinks ABC, but another part of me thinks XYZ!). Parts work offers a framework for considering our complexity as individuals in a non-pathologizing way. It helps us get in touch with the parts that take over when we are stressed, the parts that carry painful memories from childhood, as well as the parts that help us function and thrive.

Integrating body-based work into therapy resources our nervous system in a way thoughts alone simply can't. This looks like using mindful awareness or movement experiments involving sensation, emotion, memory, and instinct in addition to thoughts and beliefs. We can use somatic practices to gain insight into your experience, change your relationship to stress, and feel safer and more empowered in your body, among other possibilities. With somatics we can get creative in our work.

I am level-one trained in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. I also have additional somatic trainings, including yoga, Movement for Trauma (with Jane Clapp), and others.

Our identities have significant impacts on the ways we experience the world, how we choose to behave in it, and what we expect from it. They are highly relevant and when we don’t treat them as such it’s only natural to feel misunderstood and disconnected, or for defensiveness and hostility to brew. I use somatic approaches to help you embody your identities and navigate challenges that arise in your life and relationships related to them.