Margaret A. Howard, MFA, LCSW
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Welcome home.

 Trauma-Sensitive Depth Psychotherapy
​in southern Illinois
and Virtual Therapy for Missouri and Illinois*

If you're looking to enhance your life by exploring Jungian-influenced dream work, reconnecting with your deep self and nature, enhancing your experience of relationships and career, finding re-connection with your own inner wisdom, remembering belonging and connection through the land, history, dreams, and your true life's purpose -- and centering all of this in embodiment, mindfulness, and groundedness, all without false positivity or spiritual bypass, you've arrived at the right place.

Trauma-sensitivity means we take the time to discover what works for each person, at each person's pace, looking to avoid overwhelm and enhance embodiment. All humans in this world have experienced "trauma" -- overwhelming or difficult events that have impacted our nervous systems. We re-learn how that system works, & befriend it again.

I'd love to welcome you to our therapeutic space, as would my co-therapist, Nya (the Dog). My flexible, individualized approach is based on current neurobiology (polyvagal theory) and depth psychology, & includes somatic, psychodynamic, cognitive, dream work, and EMDR. LGBTQ+ affirming, non-racist, non-misogynist, anti-colonial. Plus, I'm a veteran.
Drawing by Pearl, Copyright 2018

Somatic Psychotherapy

​Somatic psychotherapy is a non-touch, body-based method used in conjunction with talk therapy to bring the body back into awareness, learn to be with the emotions compassionately, and gently release trauma from the body in an experiential way. This is a body/mind modality based in current neuroscience, and grounded in our connection with the land and our bodies. More here.
Painting by Molly Howard-Crow, Copyright 2017

Dream Work, Depth & Archetypal Psychotherapy

  We are a part of nature and the land, of the deep and ancient stories that live in it, whether we know it consciously or not. When we become separated from our sense of place, nature, and the land, we become separated from ourselves, as well. ​Nature, dreams, archetype, image, connection. More here.
Photo by Margaret Howard, Copyright 2017

EMDR

 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is a robust, evidence-based method that uses eye movements to work deeply in neural networks to reprocess difficult or traumatic events. I am a trained EMDR Therapist, with additional training in Attachment-Focused EMDR by Laurell Parnell.  More here.
Margaret Offers Two Types of Therapy:

1. In person, including EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, and Dream and Depth Work, specializing in anxiety and trauma, at
Milwood Suites, 1400 N. Wood Road, Murphysboro, IL 62966
on 13 between Carbondale and Murphysboro

2. Virtual (Live Video) Appointments, for persons residing in Missouri and Illinois*
Please note that virtual appointments are available only for those who are largely quite stable, do not have a severe mental health diagnosis, but rather are looking to enhance their lives by exploring their true life purpose, doing Jungian-influenced dream work, reconnecting with their deep selves and nature, and enhancing their experience of relationships and career. 

EMDR is not offered in virtual appointments.
Vitural appointments are self-pay only (no insurance) and are $140 per 50-minute session.
*I am licensed to practice in Missouri and Illinois, therefore, I can only offer virtual therapy to persons who actually live in those states.
We're living in some pretty anxiety-producing times. Trauma-sensitive therapy can be a beneficial calm point in the storm, where you know you'll be heard. Trauma-sensitivity in therapy means that we take the time to discover what works for you, that we meet as equals, and that we're aware of the kind of colonizer dynamics and systems that undermine wellbeing. We work together at a gentle pace, taking care to not become overwhelmed. We don't dive right in to the most difficult life events, but instead lay a foundation of self-regulation and resilience, first, developing skills and establishing the therapeutic relationship.

My work with women is about finding connection with our own inner wisdom; remembering belonging and connection through the land, history, and dreams; understanding how we feel and function in the context of the social systems we live within; connecting to our purpose in this life; and recovering from trauma, anxiety, and PTSD. 

I'd love to welcome you to our therapeutic space, as would my co-therapist, Nya (the Dog). My flexible, individualized approach is based on current neurobiology (polyvagal theory) and depth psychology, & includes somatic, psychodynamic, cognitive, dream work, and EMDR. LGBTQ+ affirming, non-racist, non-misogynist, anti-colonial. Plus, I'm a veteran. 

Therapists have varying philosophies, trainings, and ways of working. When choosing a therapist it's a good idea to find out what their philosophy and training is, meet them in person, and then decide for yourself if it's a good fit for you.

I work with a whole person approach: conscious thought, unconscious thought and images, emotion, and body sensation; individual psyche and the person in the environment (home, family, work, and all levels of community). I acknowledge and observe that systemic racism, misogyny, and wealth inequality have profound impacts on communities and individuals, and create stress that causes anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other difficulties and suffering. It is important to address those, as well as what's held in the body, and that the deeper self, the unconscious, is vital to our growth, integration, individuation, and experience of life. This is how our strongest, deepest, innate healing systems are activated. It is my approach that every person has innate healing capacities and wholeness within themselves, that everyone's path is different, and that my job is to help people gain the insight and confidence to access and activate theirs.

Similarly, sometimes a therapist will recommend a client see a different therapist. Every good therapist wants to make sure that what each client is dealing with is within their areas of expertise. If not, the therapist will provide a referral to another practitioner. It can also happen that what a client or potential client is dealing with is too activating of a therapist's own past trauma for that therapist to be effective within that therapeutic relationship. The best therapists know how to recognize their own limitations, and refer a client to someone else who can better help them when that happens. While we do like a challenge, no one can provide optimum care for every person in every scenario. And a therapist who takes care of themselves, including having their own therapy regularly, is going to be able to be more present for their clients. Learning and respecting our own human limits is part of that self care.

Please note: Nya the Dog will be in session with us. If you're allergic to dogs that might not work for you. If you love dogs it might be awesome!
​

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Image Copyright (c) Pearl, 2016

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I'd Love to Have You Visit Soon!


Hours

Carbondale: Mondays and 10-6
Tuesdays 10-4

Expanded hours, M-Thurs appointments, beginning in January, 2020
Carbondale, Illinois
Email: margaretlcsw at protonmail.com     Phone:  (855) 326-5981
​

  • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • Rates & Insurance
    • Supervision/Consultation
    • Statement of Inclusion
    • Margaret's Bio
    • SA/DV/HT Resources
    • Stages of Therapy
    • Cancellation Policy
    • Books & Resources
    • Canine Assisted Therapy
    • What about spirituality?
    • Donate
    • Gallery of Nya the Dog
    • Blog
  • Somatic Psychotherapy
  • Dream Work
    • dreamjournals
  • EMDR
  • Location
  • Contact/Appointment
  • Virtual/Remote