About Starla Sholl

Philosophy

Starla ShollI believe strongly that having different tools for different clients is really important, and hence, I work with each client individually to determine what is the best way to make progress toward their goal…whether it be to have a better relationship with a family member, to stop intrusive memories from a past trauma, or to feel more peaceful in their everyday life.  Just as important, though, is to have a safe place to get in touch with our emotions. Our emotions can be used as a compass to help us direct our life, but often due to either our family or just our culture, we really don't know how we feel about things in our life. I work with folks to connect with, and understand, their feelings.

I also believe that there is a strong connection between our thoughts, emotions, and our physical body, so working on our emotions and thoughts helps us to feel better physically.

Psychodynamic Background

My background is in psychodynamic psychotherapy, which means I believe much of our behavior is rooted in our subconscious. That means that often the goal of therapy can be to become aware of our patterns and to understand our motivations. I also believe that building a trusting long term relationship in therapy can be key to achieving major change.

Alternative Healing Training

figurineWhile I'm a traditional therapist in many ways, I also have respect for alternative healing techniques. The longer I've been in the field, the more open I've become to the idea that different people need different techniques to achieve the results they hope to gain.One of the alternative techniques I use is Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy™ and I've been certified in this method for over 20 years. This technique includes aspects of traditional hypnosis, Neurolinguistic Programming, Ericksonian techniques, Gestalt techniques, Reichian analysis, and cathartic energy work. Bottom line, this technique helps you get in touch with aspects of yourself that you might not be able to access by just talking…and it helps you to release patterns and behaviors that no longer serve you.

I have also studied with indigenous healers and a Shaman from a Peruvian tradition. I am trained in Reiki and in various meditation techniques, and love learning about subtle energy.

Mind-Body Training

Because one of my specialties is working with clients who have experienced trauma, I have studied neurobiology and how the mind and body both react to awful events. Working with the body and treating it, in addition to the mind, is often indicated in working with clients who have experienced traumatic situations.

Education & Licensure

BA Psychology Knox College, Galesburg, IL (1985)
MSW Jane Addams School of Social Work at University of Illinois (1987)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker State of Illinois. (1990)
National Board Certified Fellow in Clinical Hypnotherapy (2024)

Specialized Training

  • Reiki 1 & 2 Trainer: William Lee Rand
  • Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist - The Wellness Institute, Issaquah, WA (2001)  
  • Certified Breathwork Therapist - The Wellness Institute, Issaquah, WA (2000)
  • Heart Centered Therapies Mentorship program (2005-2020)
  • Subtle Energy Training - Trainer: Y. Christman, Ph.D. (400 hours)
  • Alto Mesayok Peruvian Shamanism-Mateyo Empie
  • Quantum Healing
  • Healing Touch
  • Pranic Healing
  • Bardo Training
  • EMDR

contact Starla today