Susanne Hays, LMFT, SEP, ESP, Base-P

At Pegasus, I am focused on helping with Nervous System Regulation, overcoming traumatic or adverse events, building a resilient nervous system, helping individuals and families/groups thrive by providing a combination of Psychotherapies. Sessions may include various modalities, all conducted through the lens of Somatic Experiencing (SE(tm)). As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), I provide counseling services for adults, children, couples, and families. In addition to my counseling degree, I also the three year SE Trauma training, assisted many rounds for Somatic Experiencing Institute, and trained and assisted in Master level classes for Dr. Peter Levine. I completed a touch training modality called Base Training (Relational Bodywork and Somatic Education) taught by a renowned SE Faculty member, Dave Berger. These trainings have allowed me to look at mental health through the lens of anatomy, nervous system tracking and regulation in order to help clients move through incomplete self defensive responses and processing through events that repeat in the physiology and often show up as syndromal patterns like anxiety, depression, any diseases of the Nervous System, chronic pain patterns, migraine headaches, etc.  My background as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor enables interaction with horses in a safe manner. When working with horses, I use the Equusoma model, tracking both horses and humans to help process trauma re-enactments. It is important to understand that the focus is not on riding or overpowering the horse, or teach "leadership" skills. At the contrary, the horse is a participant and sentient being, and if one does participant does not benefit from the interaction, nobody benefits in the end and trauma re-enactments are likely to happen. 

 I also use modalities like Art and Sand Therapy, which can help with insight and trauma processing. 

In addition, I have worked in an inpatient treatment facility, and have experience with PTSD, Combat-PTSD, Chemical Dependence, and Adoptions/Foster Care. I am also trained in medical trauma/anesthesia trauma, and near death experiences.

 

Trauma resides in the body. Trauma integration (being able to talk about events without getting distressed) helps overcome depression, anxiety, panic attacks, self-medication, or physical problems. Family support, a systemic approach, insight, and using mindfulness to track both mind and body, are key elements in getting well. As a Somatic Experiencing Practioner (SEP) (3 year training in trauma treatment), I integrate Art Therapy, Sand Tray and Play Therapy, Somatic Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (Trained in EMDR and Somatic EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Psychosomatic Therapy with the horses in a modified way to not over-stress the Central Nervous System. I am also trained in attachment re-patterning (dARE). Many years of assisting in SE trainings, providing SE sessions to SE students, most of them therapists, and providing case consultations to SE students, have led me to complete the Base training, providing Base and SE touch work to clients. After all, "the issue is in the tissue," to quote Dr. Abi Blakeslee. My approach is systematic, body-focused, and client-centered. You can learn more about each modality under "Services."

We are building individual treatment plans and use modalities that are appropriate based on the client's needs and wants.