Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Taylor
Hi Natalie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
A large part of where I started has to do with my college education. I was pursuing an editing and publishing degree at Brigham Young University (BYU). At the time, my course load consisted mainly of English classes and one class related to human development. I LOVED learning about development. I clearly remember talking to my sister about how we could both picture me in a more people-focused work environment rather than the editing world. Thus began my track towards becoming a therapist.
I changed my undergraduate degree. I went on to complete my masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University.
Another major contributor of my progress is due to my AMAZING supervisors. I began my initial internship at Rocky Mountain Trauma Recovery, where I’ve focused mainly on trauma and PTSD work. I also spent some internship time at Hope Therapy where my focus was mainly betrayal trauma and pornography addiction.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As with any type of personal growth, it involves challenges and obstacles. One obstacle that I faced occurred while I was doing my masters program. During the time, I was doing a lot of work-related traveling with my family. Although the program was completely online, it was challenging to navigate courses in so many different environments.
Another challenge relates to my growth as a therapist. Within the mental health world there is so much information. So many diverse theories, clients, cultures, and diagnoses. I am constantly learning more about how to better help my clients. At the beginning of my counseling experience, it took a lot of time and effort to learn and receive the necessary training to reach the point that I am at today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a mental health therapist in Utah. I work with adolescents and adults with a wide variety of mental health concerns. My counseling experience includes those with anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, and other mental health diagnoses. I specialize in working with trauma, betrayal trauma, and pornography addiction.
Trauma work can include, but is not limited to: sexual assault, death or near-death experiences, relational neglect, and physical abuse. Trauma is extremely complex and manifests differently depending on the person. I’m known for my work with Polyvagal Theory or incorporating the healing of the nervous system as part of trauma work I do. Trauma is often stored within the body. Thus, it makes sense to learn more about body-based healing as well as the cognitive healing.
I also specialize in working with pornography addiction and betrayal trauma. Betrayal trauma can manifest in a variety of situations, but it often manifests in the spouse of someone with a pornography addiction. I’ve experienced a variety of trainings for this work and how to help individuals navigate through it. I differ from other therapists in that I focus on the root cause of the addiction, rather than just attempting to stop the behavior. By taking a trauma-focused approach, deeper healing occurs. The focus is on long-term recovery rather than short-term sobriety. By doing the deeper healing work, things like attachment and emotional wounds are improved to reach real wellness. And for the partner, betrayal trauma work can be done to learn tools for present triggers and past wounds. I believe both those with addiction and those who have been betrayed can find healing.
I have found in my work with trauma, betrayal trauma, and pornography addiction that the work is extremely vulnerable. Not to discount other mental health conditions, but especially in such a religion-promoted area, it can be very hard to discuss these kinds of topics without inducing shame. Especially with things like sexual assault or pornography where there is already so much pain and isolation tied to the topics. I am passionate about these topics because I want to create a space for people to process, learn, and heal. Individuals should never feel stuck in their pain. There is always hope for healing.
Something that sets me apart from other therapists is I am trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This research-backed technique is incredible in healing trauma. Additionally, my nervous system perspective allows for deeper healing. I also use a variety of modalities such as CBT, DBT, and mindfulness.
What does success mean to you?
If you have learned, changed, or done something different than what you have done before, I count that as success. Often with mental health, individuals see success as perfection, but it is not. Success is simply progress.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rmtr.org
- Instagram: natlight_therapy
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/natalie-taylor-alpine-ut/1165487
