Nghi Phan-Heindl

My approach combines multiple perspectives, but is fundamentally about supporting your healing and change in a way that is compassionate, non-shaming, understands your context and values, and empowers you find the wisdom inherent in your true, core self. While I may play the role of facilitator or guide in sessions, I hold deep respect for your agency and sovereignty, and view our work as a collaboration between equals. Clients often describe me as compassionate and gentle, yet able to challenge them when needed to push them towards growth. TRAUMA-INFORMED I'm passionate about trauma healing and recovery, and approach it from multiple angles. I use several experiential therapies that aim to transform issues at the root, by working not only with the mind, but also with the body and nervous system (somatic). I have trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) with the IFS Institute, and trained in Brainspotting and Deep Brain Reorienting with their respective founders, along with other lead trainers. In my sessions, I primarily use IFS--a compassionate, non-pathologizing model of parts work. It is akin to inner child work and shadow work. We help wounded, rejected, survival (proactive & reactive), and other parts of you. IFS is also a great tool for addressing legacy (family) burdens and unattached burdens. However, each of these therapy models provide a doorway into deep work to transform unresolved trauma. HOLISTIC & TRANSPERSONAL Trauma can impact us not just emotionally and physiologically, but also in broader ways, such as spiritually and in how we find meaning. I often integrate transpersonal healing approaches into my work and am also informed by Jungian and depth psychology. I've completed training in Family Constellations Therapy facilitation, which explores ancestral issues and family system entanglements. I've learned from many healing and spiritual traditions across cultures over the past 15 years--including meditation, reiki, ancestral work, shamanic and yogic practices. Many clients have worked with me around their religious or spiritual trauma, or with finding spiritual direction. Other times, clients simply need a safe space to process and make sense of extraordinary experiences--including psychedelic, mystical or other altered states of consciousness. IDENTITY-AFFIRMING I value diversity, inclusion, and understanding intersectionality--the different intersecting aspects of your unique personhood–of who you are, where you come from, and how you identify. I specialize in working with people with multicultural and/or immigrant backgrounds, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), and those from socially-marginalized groups. I consider myself an ally to the LGBTQ+ community and to people with disabilities. CULTURAL & SYSTEMIC How family and society treat us, shapes us. I bring a cultural, systemic and justice-informed lens to my work. We often need to bear witness not just to your own history, but that your family's. What they've been through, even generations back, might have trickled down to shape your current beliefs or patterns. Acknowledging this helps clarify what is yours and what isn't yours to carry, and helps you heal what is unresolved. This can give you much greater freedom to decide what you'd like to keep or leave behind, going forward. Coming from an Asian migrant/refugee family background myself, I'm familiar with the complexities of the immigrant experience and of being raised by parents who have experienced extreme circumstances and complex trauma. As an adult, I gained more multicultural experience from living and traveling abroad, and marrying a German man. I understand the challenges of navigating between East-West paradigms, collectivist vs. individualist mindsets, “ask” vs. “guess” cultures. I get the inner conflict that comes from living amid clashing--or simply oppressive--cultural expectations and norms. I recognize how difficult it is to maintain healthy sense of self and good relationships when it feels impossible or forbidden to be yourself. I've helped clients to overcome inner conflict and distress around these and other issues, including: •self-criticism, internalized shame, or self-sabotaging behaviors •social anxiety, low confidence/self-esteem, fear of rejection •codependency, people pleasing, family duty/loyalty, sacrifice •parentification as a child •survivor's guilt and playing small •treated as "weird," "different," or like the scapegoat or black sheep •pressure to meet family expectations/conformity vs. differentiation/autonomy •racism, sexism, homophobia, or other discrimination •being told you're "too sensitive" I help clients sort through all the noise around them, to help them get clearer and closer to who they authentically are and the life that is best for them. If my approach resonates with you and you'd like to explore working together, I'd be glad to meet with you for a free 15' consultation call to see if we might be a good fit.

My past experience includes work with community mental health, outpatient counseling, foster/at-risk children, family intervention, and domestic violence and rape victim survivors. I've led groups in trauma recovery, women's empowerment and other topics. I’ve also conducted research on issues including: historical trauma & decolonizing therapy; spiritual diversity & competency in therapy; LGBTQ+ experiences of family acceptance/rejection; gender, religion & social injustice. Clinical Experience: -Private Practice, Psychotherapy - New York, US -Family & Children's Service of Ithaca Community Mental Health -Elmcrest Children's Center -Samaritan Counseling Center (Intern) Prior Work Experience: -Binghamton University (Graduate Instructor - Counseling Center) -Binghamton University (Graduate Researcher - LGBTQ+ issues) -Tea Roots Magazine (Arts Curator) -CG Jung Foundation of New York (Intern) -Safe Horizon Community Program (Senior Case Manager)

Psychotherapy & Other Trainings: -Deep Brain Reorienting Level 2: Healing of Attachment Shock and Attachment Wounding - Jessica Christie-Sands -Deep Brain Reorienting Level 1: Healing of the Shock at the Core of Traumatic Experiences - Frank Corrigan -Internal Family Systems Level 1 - IFS Institute: Kay Gardner & Katelyn Staecker -Brainspotting - Wavespotting Technique - Melanie Young -Brainspotting Level 2 - BIPOC: Tracy Gantlin-Monroy and David Grand -Brainspotting Level 1 - BIPOC: John Edwards and David Grand -Family Constellations Therapy Training - Certificate of Constellation Facilitation from Convivium Constellations - Leslie Nipps -AEDP Introductory Course - Kate Halliday -Internal Family Systems Introductory Training - Derek Scott -Certificate Program in Sound, Voice & Music in the Healing Arts - California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) -Reiki Level II - A.R.E. of New York Edgar Cayce Center Academic Background: -Master of Social Work (LMSW, LCSW) - Binghamton University -Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology - Ithaca College -Minors in Philosophy, Writing, Fine Arts