KAP Wellness

Choosing a therapist is one of the most important health decisions you can make. I understand the vulnerability involved in putting your trust in what’s essentially a stranger. I commend you for taking this step. My goal is to help you reclaim your freedom from trauma. I’ll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs. As someone who recovered from childhood trauma, I know how distant life without trauma may seem. But I assure you: recovery is possible. Now, a quick story. After eight years in psychotherapy, I thought my trauma was healed until I attended my first Brainspotting training. When a horrible 20-year-old memory surfaced, I was shaken to the core. It was 25 minutes later that the memory was neutralized. My symptoms were gone, for good, and I was sold. With its novel ability to reduce fear and defenses, I knew Ketamine would be another game-changer for trauma. After training, I worked with a physician to pair Ketamine with brainspotting. Client results were as remarkable as they were with brainspotting, only faster. KAPspotting was born. Now I want to help you achieve your own breakthrough. Trauma presents in infinite ways, even when it’s repressed. The simple explanation for repressed trauma is our brains “hide” traumatic memories as a coping mechanism. An “invisible” manifestation can be simply that the patient misperceives the world. But whether ongoing, occasionally intrusive, or subconscious, trauma symptoms cause deleterious effects. There’s good news; it’s called neuroplasticity! The brain is an organ designed to heal itself! If you’ve found little to no relief of symptoms, you may have undischarged trauma. I can help you extract the trauma once and for all! Many patients who turn to ketamine therapy or brainspotting have tried more traditional treatments that have been around longer, such as talk therapy or CBT. But ketamine therapy, brainspotting, and KAPspotting can be used at any stage of treatment. I don’t want your healing journey to be one teardrop, one flashback, or one day more than necessary. You don’t have to spend years and years in therapy. With the advanced therapies we provide, it can be months—not years. When I’m not treating my patients, I enjoy gardening, traveling, movies, hiking, yoga, and spending time with family, friends, and three little canines. Conditions I can help with: depression, bipolar disorder, Acute Stress Disorder, PTSD, Complex PTSD, anxiety, OCD, dissociative disorders, somatic symptom disorders, and bereavement. I work with all ages and backgrounds. My youngest brainspotting client was 3 years old. I have sat with senior clients at their end of life. Training and credentials:  Licensed Clinical Psychologist, PSY28563  Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology  Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology  Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin  Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Marquette University  Certified Brainspotter  Certified Brainspotting Consultant  Certified Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy provider

I’ve always felt drawn to alternative ways to heal. My work in the medical cannabis industry led me to pursue a doctorate in natural health in 2011, and a personal healing experience was the catalyst for finding life-changing treatment for myself and others. After enduring a traumatic labor experience while giving birth to my daughter in 2016, I sought out traditional talk therapy for support. While that initial search was a great starting point, I decided to further explore alternative treatments, and that’s how I found EMDR (Eye Motion Desensitization and Reprocessing). Educating myself further about trauma, I realized that my mental health didn’t seem to be improving; that was because I hadn’t cleared the trauma in my body. It had been six months since my daughter was born, but I was still continuing to experience symptoms of the event. Essentially, I was reliving the trauma. After a few sessions into my EMDR therapy, I finally felt like myself again: physically, mentally, and emotionally. I decided to train in EMDR so that I could help others break free from the stubborn grasp of trauma. Armed with that passion, I went back to school to earn my master’s degree in clinical counseling, eventually becoming an EMDR clinician in 2019, and then a certified Brainspotter in 2021. Reflecting back, I’m convinced that EMDR led me to become a therapist, but KAP (Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy) has allowed me to much more effectively assist my clients. I’ve ultimately been drawn toKAP because of its rapid and effective ability to facilitate long lasting outcomes. Talk therapy is a non-somatic modality and works predominantly at the prefrontal cortex. While relevant, it fails to grasp the full picture of where trauma is located, and how it’s actually processed. Trauma is stored in our deep subcortical regions, and in order to release that trauma, that part of the brain needs to be targeted. Using ketamine to dissolve the protective barriers and combining it with brainspotting, is the most effective treatment I’ve encountered. I also specialize in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, and I’ve experienced firsthand the natural healing power of horses. While office-based work is rewarding, I very much enjoy collaborating with clients in analternative environment. Horses have been a part of my life since I could walk, and I’ve always felt a strong connection to them and have been amazed by their beauty and emotionally intuitive nature. I hold many fond memories of my time spent with my own horse, Jake. He modeled for me how to hold space and walk with others alongside their healing journey. When life got difficult, going out to the barn allowed me to reground, reset, and be mindful. If you’re interested in equine therapy, please contact me directly. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors with friends and family, riding horses, practicing yoga, and hiking with my Belgian Malinois. Conditions I can help with: depression, Acute Stress Disorder, PTSD, Complex PTSD, anxiety, OCD, and bereavement Training and Credentials:  Master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Adams State University in Colorado  Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in California  Certified Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) provider  Certified Brainspotting provider  Certified Ketamine Assisted Therapy provider  Certified by the Equine Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) as an equine-assisted psychotherapist

Carolin is passionate about helping others heal from wounds and find a peaceful path forward towards their goals. She knows what it is like to hurt, and she knows what it is like to heal. She got into therapy after raising her family and having the lived experience of struggling. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has worked full time for three years with the homeless population. She has come to understand trauma as a systemic problem in our society and that has driven her to work on her PhD. She is in her third year as a PhD student studying counseling and psychology with a concentration in trauma and crisis. Carolin is a certified brainspotter. She believes that the client is the expert on themselves and is skilled in integrating different types of therapy to meet the client’s needs. In her down time, Carolin and her husband enjoy spending time in the mountains off-roading in their Jeep.

Meet Melissa, an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor committed to fostering healing and support for individuals navigating intricate mental health challenges. Armed with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor’s in Psychology, Melissa has honed her skills through a rich tapestry of experiences across various settings. Her professional journey has woven through community care, Residential Treatment, and service within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Melissa’s focus extends to handling intricate cases, including those dealing with Severe Mental Illness (SMI), Veterans combating Trauma, PTSD, Personality Disorders, and profound grief and loss. A compassionate practitioner, Melissa finds profound satisfaction in working with clients who’ve yet to discover healing for severe trauma and grief. Her proficiency in Brainspotting, acquired during Phases 1 and 2 training, enhances her ability to guide clients through the intricate layers of their experiences. Melissa’s therapeutic approach is eclectic, rooted in a person-centered, value-based model. Drawing from various methodologies such as ACT, CBT, PCT, and DBT, she tailors her strategies to meet the unique needs of each individual. Melissa has delved into the realm of Psychedelic-assisted Psychotherapy, showcasing her commitment to innovative avenues for healing. Her success in guiding clients using ketamine demonstrates her dedication to exploring cutting-edge treatments. Melissa is one of the few clinicians who has practiced ketamine-assisted brainspotting, combining Ketamine with Brainspotting. This experience makes Melissa a perfect addition to KAP Wellness. Beyond her professional commitments, Melissa calls Northern California home, where she resides with her spouse and two children. During her downtime, you’ll likely find her unwinding with a Starbucks in hand, immersed in the pulsating beats of EDM, or enjoying the timeless saga of Star Wars. Melissa’s commitment to mental health and her vibrant personality makes her a guiding force in the journey toward healing and self-discovery.