We provide professional, dedicated, and Furry experience
As a therapist, it is my intention to come alongside you in your journey and be a supportive light to help shine the way through periods of darkness, strife, and confusion. Oftentimes, through hardships, cumulative experiences of shutting ourselves down, and through the battering that comes with being a human, we lose sight of our own innate body wisdom and sense of alive-ness as we continue to survive through the world. We become disconnected or never became connected to what a life of thriving would be like.
We are more than just our thoughts, we are more than just our bodies, we are more than just our feelings. We are interconnected, interwoven beings with a large capacity to feel the vivaciousness of being alive; to be connected with our own intelligence and that of the world around us.
"Psychotherapy is a part of our life path or journey in which we help ourselves and others awaken from the stupor of unconsciousness and ignorance of who we truly are...we ask people to be aware, to take note, to ponder and begin the process of seeing and knowing again what has been frozen off in childhood" (Sahinberg, D. 1983).
I am honored to live and work in Bellingham as it has come to be called. I am committed to working to deconstruct colonization and oppression of all kinds. I acknowledge that the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) and the Nuxwsa’7aq (Nooksack) tribes are located in the heart of Whatcom County and recognize that I live and work within the original homelands of the Coast Salish peoples. I offer my deepest respect and gratitude for their enduring care, protection of, and relationship with, our shared lands and waterways.
The Embodied Human Animal PLLC
is founded on the principles that the mindbody has its own innate intelligence and it is through connecting to ones unique system that allows for healing. Using somatic therapy techniques and a holistic orientation to health and healing, the embodied human animal believes that getting in touch with the animalistic instincts that lie in the human species fosters sequencing out or “shaking off” the build up of stress, threats, and trauma out of our bodies so they can reset and not hold on to what no longer serves in the system. We believe that knowledge should not be kept behind gates, but freely disseminated for those who seek it to best support themselves and their own journeys. We believe that those who seek healing should not be barred from it due to not having adequate resources. We believe that one type of healing does not work for all and we should have access to a variety of health/healing modalities.
The Embodied Human Animal values authenticity, integrity, compassion, transparency, decolonization, education, diversity, equality, and holistic care.
My Approach
Vanessa takes an integrative approach to therapy. While grounded in her body psychotherapy and animal-assisted foundation, Vanessa incorporates from a variety of modalities/techniques including; expressive-based, strengths-based, relational, humanistic, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, attachment theory, experiential etc. Vanessa orients to therapy from a relational and process focused perspective, creating space for regular check ins on how the therapeutic relationship is developing over time. In her work she allows spaciousness for the ebb and flow that is inherent in the healing process. Vanessa has received extensive training on trauma, trauma informed work, and is working through a certification in working with complex PTSD.
"We spend a lot of time trying to nail everything down, concretizing, just trying to make everything solid and secure. We also spend a lot of time trying to dull or soften or fend off that vividness. When we awaken our hearts, we're changing the whole pattern, but not by creating a new pattern. We are moving further and further away from concretizing and making things so solid and always trying to get some ground under our feet. This moving away from comfort and security, this stepping out into what is unknown, uncharted, and shaky--that's called enlightenment, liberation" (Chodron, P. 1994).
Body Psychotherapy
Body psychotherapy is a specific orientation to therapy that is under the "somatic therapies" umbrella. As such, body psychotherapists learn to analyze, diagnose, assess, and treat through the body. It is a holistic approach that takes into account the whole being versus just the individuals thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Body psychotherapists recognize that the body holds an innate intelligence that when listened to, can be a guide to healing, a dear friend and ally, and an inner voice of truth. The body holds every experience we have ever lived through and in bringing one back into close relationship to the body, one can begin to integrate disconnected/unprocessed memories.
"Any event that occurs-whether physical, emotional, cognitive, or spiritual-impacts our whole being." (Caldwell, 1996).
"When movement is held back, energy/life flow is impeded, and we become sick. When movement is rushed, energy/life flow is distorted, and we become sick." (Caldwell, 1996).
Our bodies store trauma in the very cells of our being, until these responses are fully expressed, this energy will stay in the body causing some level of dysfunction (In An Unspoken Voice, Levine, 2010).
Animal Assisted Therapy
Animal-assisted therapy works on the premise that as humans, we are mammals. We are pack animals that need social connection as a basic need. Connection is just as important as food, water, and shelter. Through understanding the survival systems of animals, we can come to learn our own nervous systems better and begin to take the shame/blame out of our responses to threats. This involves understanding how each individual defines a threat in their life and how they respond to that threat differently than another human might. In working collaboratively with animals we can cue our nervous systems to feel safe and use the relationship built with an animal to teach us about how we interact with ourselves and with others.
Education
-Vanessa Herzog holds a Masters in the arts with a concentration in body psychotherapy from Naropa University in Boulder, CO. Vanessa currently holds an LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) in WA state, license #: LH 61198636. Vanessa has been practicing as a therapist since 2020.
-She holds a certification in animal-assisted therapy from the Animal-Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado.
-She is certified in Relational Life Therapy level 1 (couples therapy training), and is currently working to complete a certification training on Complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
-She is in the process of becoming certified in sensorimotor Processing Level 1 and contemporary Reichian Therapy
-Vanessa has taken a variety of continuing education courses in DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma processing, spiral dynamics, ACT, etc. For a full list of Vanessa’s continuing education and trainings, please feel free to ask her in/outside of session
-Vanessa has also completed several trainings on ethical non-monogamy and kink-positivity, and holds a certificate in working with consensual non-monogamy level 1
Counseling & Therapy Services
I offer a free 15-min consultation via telehealth to chat briefly about your needs from therapy and to see if working together would be a good fit. I am happy to answer any questions about the therapeutic process or provide referrals as desired.
I do offer a few sliding scale options, if this is something you think you need please let me know.
At this time I do not take insurance, however you are welcome to contact your insurance provider and ask about their "out-of-network" coverage and see how much they are willing to cover for session costs. I am happy to provide receipts for you to submit to your insurance provider.
Cancellation Policy
If you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment, please do so within 24-hours of your scheduled appointment. The full session rate will be charged for missed appointments or appointments cancelled within 24-hours of the scheduled hour. This policy excludes unforeseen emergencies and illness.
Ecotherapy is an option for those who would benefit from meeting outside on and taking a hike for their sessions. If this interests you, please let Vanessa know or she may suggest it as part of your work together if it seems like a good fit for you. Nature has been known to be a place of profound healing
Trauma Counseling
Focused therapy to help you heal from past trauma and regain control over your life.
Child & Adolescent Therapy
Specialized support for children and teens, helping them navigate emotional challenges. the benefits they have
Group Therapy
Join others with similar challenges, sharing experiences and support in a group setting. the benefits
Couples Therapy
Enhance understanding affection between couples, helping to strengthen the relationship. the benefits they have gained
Family Therapy
Improve family relationships, resolve conflicts, and build a healthy living environment. the benefits they have
Individual Counseling
Focused therapy to help you heal from past trauma and regain control over your life.