Optimal Performance and Healing...Integration = transformation.
Do you find yourself experiencing the same recurring intrusive thoughts? Reliving disturbing memories day after day? Having recurring nightmares? Withdrawing from life and others and increasing your isolation from the world? Are you struggling with Performance Anxiety or communication challenges at work, school or in relationships? If so, you may be suffering from PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or a Mood disturbance such as Anxiety or Depression. Untreated, these symptoms can worsen over time. If you find you are struggling with symptoms of PTSD, Anxiety, Depressed Mood, Phobias, Addictions, Identity or Spiritual Emergency I am here to help.
About me: I am certified in EMDR by the EMDR International Association and I am trained in The Comprehensive Hakomi - Trauma Focused Methods and R-CS, Recreation of Self. To learn more about EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Go to: https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/. For more about Hakomi go to: https://hakomiinstitute.com. For more about RC-S, Recreation of Self Method, go here: https://hakomiinstitute.com/Forum/Issue16-17/8_R_CS_tranform.pdf
EMDR Therapists! I am a registered CIT, this means you can earn up to 12 credits with me towards becoming certified with EMDRIA.
Recommendation:
"Chris' skillset in EMDR has helped many patients find an improved level of functioning. I have also received positive feedback regarding patient results from other providers...I am confident in my recommendation of Chris Moon to you as a skilled therapist..." - Saad A. Shakir, MD., DFAPA., FACIP
I enjoy working with a wide range of individuals and groups. I am a compassionate and integrative psychotherapist. My style is personable and eclectic yet grounded, direct and practical. My methodology is holistic in approach and includes evidence based as well as innovative somatic and mindfulness therapy techniques.
Education:
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (now Sofia University), in Palo Alto, CA.
I am trained in a variety of psychotherapeutic modalities including evidence based ways of working such as: EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, DBT, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Somatic Experiencing, Existential methods; Hakomi-Trauma Focus, Mindfulness, RCS-Recreation of Self and Transpersonal Psychotherapy. I specialize in; complex PTSD chronic, Phobias, Mood disturbance, Anxiety, Depression, Performance Anxiety, Relational trauma, Complex Bereavement and Spiritual Emergency.
My work is informed by my background in Buddhist Philosophy, Taoism, Yoga, and Medical Qigong. In my free time I enjoy painting, spending time in nature and furthering my knowledge in my fields of interest, particularly in Neuroscience, Philosophy, Meditation and Religious Studies.
The client-therapist relationship can be life-changing.
To help you decide if we are a good fit, here are answers to frequently asked questions.
WHAT KIND OF THERAPY DO YOU OFFER?
I love working with the powerful life changing technologies of EMDR, Hakomi - Trauma Focused, and RC-S, Recreation of Self, with clients who are ready to live without symptoms of PTSD including; anxiety, depression, dissociation, phobias, addiction, phobias, nightmares and relational difficulties. As a client in my private practice, you will receive your own, client-centered individualized therapeutic treatment plan.
My clients experience my approach as very relational. I work by integrating current cutting edge science regarding neurobiology and attachment in order to alleviate anxiety, depression, and trauma symptoms. I am an EMDRIA-Certified Psychotherapist and Hakomi Practitioner with advanced training in Complex PTSD and Developmental Trauma, Somatic Therapies and Experiential Transpersonal therapy. The Hakomi method integrates Eastern principles of nonviolence and mindfulness with a comprehensive and experiential body-centered methodology. The Hakomi Institute has further developed these innovative techniques in response to ongoing discoveries in neuroscience and other fields related to our work. I also offer clients expertise in Spiritual Emergency via transformation from my years of experience in Transpersonal and Multicultural spiritual trainings including Shamanistic, Buddhist and Taoist, Qi Gong meditation techniques under the direction of Master Xiang, head of the Taoist lineage in China. I believe in clinical excellence, always.
I work as a team with my clients and we will choose a mix of techniques and frameworks that are most beneficial for you.
NOTE: I only work with clients physically in the state of California. If you do not live in California, please feel welcome to reach out and we can arrange our scheduling to coordinate your travel here for a destination vacation and treatment.
CAN EMDR HELP ME?
It’s highly likely! EMDR & Somatic techniques can be effectively utilized for:
Resourcing: We will work to strengthen internal resources while soothing parts of you that feel challenged. EMDR & Hakomi utilize dual states of awareness, body wisdom, left and right hemispheres including processing of emotions, thoughts, body sensations to increase feelings of relaxation, safety, and confidence. These techniques are powerful and often succeed where other modalities have not produced the hoped for results.
Resolving relationship difficulties: Relational Trauma Focused Hakomi, RC-s and EMDR work together nicely to repair unmet development needs (often called attachment wounding). These often occur when we have experienced an absence of care/neglect or abuse.
Trauma recovery: While I often utilize EMDR & Hakomi for clients with big “T” trauma (e.g. a major car accident, assault), I also support clients with small “t” traumas (e.g. chronic or ongoing stressful conditions, such as interpersonal conflict, difficult parents, financial stress, the pandemic). One of the most overlooked aspects of small ‘t’ traumas is their accumulated effect. Multiple, compounded small ‘t’ traumas may lead to distress in the nervous system and trouble with emotional functioning.
EMDR, Hakomi and RC-s are forms of adaptive information processing which help the brain evolve from limiting beliefs.
EMDR & Hakomi may avoid some of the long and difficult abreactive work often involved in the treatment of anxiety, panic attack, post-traumatic stress symptoms (such as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and flashbacks), dissociative disorders, depression, phobias, identity crisis, and other adverse experiences. Hakomi integrates Eastern principles of nonviolence and mindfulness with a comprehensive and experiential body-centered methodology. The Hakomi Institute has further developed these innovative techniques in response to ongoing discoveries in neuroscience and other related fields.
Research in neuroplasticity demonstrates that our brain has the ability to change, create new neural pathways, and produce new neurons. Because the brain has this ability to change, we have the ability to change our way of thinking and improve mood. Neural pathways in the brain are strengthened with repetition. One way to describe this process is “neurons that fire together, wire together.” Constant repetition of an experience leads to changes within the brain’s structure and how the neurons process that experience. EMDR & Hakomi utilize our brains’ neuroplasticity to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, which allows the brain to compensate for injury and adjust to new situations. For more information on the benefits of EMDR, please visit EMDRIA, EMDR International Association at www.emdria.org.
WHERE AND WHEN WILL WE WORK TOGETHER?
I support clients who are physically in California, both online and in person, in 2 ways:
- Adjunct intensive therapy (4-12 intensive sessions) in collaboration with your primary support therapist
- Personalized EMDR and Hakomi treatment programs for individuals (Intensives)
CAN I USE MY INSURANCE TO PAY FOR THERAPY?
Possibly. Many insurance companies reimburse a portion of the cost of psychotherapy. For insurance purposes, I am considered an out-of-network provider and I am happy to provide a monthly invoice for you to submit for reimbursement. It's best to determine the exact details of your policy ahead of time, including what benefits are available regarding out-of-network providers. Please know that I do not offer concierge billing, nor am I able to communicate with your insurance company directly. You are responsible to all communication with insurance and payment is required at time of service.
WHAT IS YOUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR CLIENTS?
An effective therapist is up to date on current cutting edge modalities, is available, and attuned to client needs. I stay updated on evidence-based psychotherapy research, I continuously pursue advanced training, and receive ongoing consultation with international EMDR experts. I offer a limited number of spots in my practice to ensure that each client gets the attention, care, and responsiveness they deserve.
ARE WE A GOOD FIT?
Let's find out! It's important that you feel safe with your therapist. Therapy is your sacred space to do your work. The clients in my practice have this experience with me. If we feel we are not a good fit after our initial 15 minute consult phone call, I am happy to share additional referrals of trusted colleagues.
Am I ready for EMDR?
Assessment for readiness for the method is part of the intake process. Let's discuss this! Note: EMDR consists of 8 Phases, the first phases include assessment for readiness and increase of resource to ensure safety prior to proceeding to processing more challenging memories.
Christine Moon, LMFT, cEMDR, CIT
C-EMDR Therapist and Hakomi Practitioner