Frequently asked questions

What does Fruitea Therapy mean?

Elizabeth chose this name to represent the complex, flavorful blend of experiences that make us human. Just as there are endless varieties of fruits and teas across the world, there are infinite ways to be an individual. Elizabeth is passionate about exploring how culture, history, generational patterns, and identity shape us - recognizing that these roots can bring both immense joy and deep-seated pain.

Fruitea Therapy is a space to honor both. It’s about decanting the parts of your story you wish to keep and healing from the parts that have wounded you. It is also a joyful nod to the LGBTQIA+ community: a vibrant, safe, and affirming space where every identity is celebrated.

How is EMDR and Somatic used in therapy?

EMDR and Somatic therapy are a powerful duo that teach your body how to stay anchored in the present. We begin by regulating the nervous system through breathwork, movement, and body awareness—creating a physical safety net. Once your body feels secure, we use EMDR to process disturbing events. Because your brain is no longer in survival mode, you can naturally resolve emotionally activating issues, helping you build lasting resilience and self-confidence.

What is Somatic therapy?

Somatic therapy is based on the idea that your body remembers what your mind tries to forget. While traditional therapy focuses on your thoughts, this approach focuses on the physical sensations like the tight panic in your chest or the knots in your shoulders. Believe it or not, stress and trauma can be stored in your body whether you are conscious of it or not.

Think of your nervous system like a thermostat that can get stuck on high (anxiety) or off (numbness). We use gentle body-first tools like breathwork, grounding, and mindful movement to manually reset that thermostat and bring you back to balance. By paying attention to these physical cues, we can release the survival energy that talk therapy alone often can't reach. This process helps you move from just knowing you are safe to actually feeling it in your bones. Once your body feels secure, your mind can finally let go of the old defensive patterns it has been holding onto for years. Ultimately, it’s about teaching your body that the threat is over so you can live fully in the present.

Why are your fees at this level, and do you offer a sliding scale?

Investing in your mental health is one of the most significant decisions you can make, and it is important to understand what that investment covers. My fees reflect advanced, specialized training in EMDR and Somatic therapies that goes far beyond the basics.

Think of it this way: if you were fixing a leaky faucet, a general plumber would do. But if you were restructuring the entire foundation of your home to make it safe again, you would want a specialist with expertise. Mental health deserves that same level of precision. While standard talk therapy is great for general support, my work is designed to get to the root of the issue more effectively. Because we are rewiring how your brain and body react to stress, you benefit from a therapist who is deeply attentive and highly trained in modern, science-backed methods.

To ensure you receive premium, intuitive care, I intentionally maintain a low caseload. This allows me the mental capacity for genuine human connection and the time to constantly update my skills through advanced consultations. While I offer a limited number of sliding scale spots for those in specific financial transitions, these are often offered on a short-term basis to ensure you can access the specialized care you need to begin your healing journey.

What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)?

Think of EMDR as a way to update your brain’s internal software when it has been bogged down by disturbing data. Life experiences like difficult childhoods or toxic relationships can leave behind glitches in the form of core beliefs such as "I am not good enough" or "I am not safe." These stuck memories often cause us to react in ways that feel out of our power, such as avoiding conflict, feeling constant anxiety, or replaying situations over and over. EMDR is used as a tool to help you debug these stories by using guided movements, which mimic the natural processing your brain does during deep sleep (REM sleep).

By focusing on a difficult memory while following these movements, the brain digests the experience and moves it from a painful, active state into a calm, historical one. It’s like moving a cluttered, overwhelming file into a labeled folder in a filing cabinet: the memory is still there, but it no longer takes up all your mental energy. Through this process, you can replace old fears with a healthier, more resilient way of seeing yourself. This allows you to naturally build confidence and set boundaries because your mind and body feels safe in the present.

Still confused? Watch this video or go to EMDRIA to learn about EMDR!

It is okay if you do not fully grasp the idea of what EMDR is. Let's talk about it and see how we can ease you into EMDR to see if EMDR can be helpful to you. Sometimes we got to try it to believe it!