LPC | Behavioral Cardiology | Adventure Therapy

We often treat our bodies like a collection of separate departments. Cardiology handles the pump; Neurology handles the computer. But your heart and your mind have been in a continuous, complex conversation your entire life.

They communicate via the vagus nerve, sending a cascade of neurohormones back and forth. But they also communicate through narrative.

The Psychology of the Pulse

As a clinician with 20 years of experience (including time in acute and forensic settings), I’ve seen how often physical symptoms start in the story we tell ourselves. Chronic stress, anxiety, and untreated trauma don’t just “feel” heavy—they place a physical demand on your cardiovascular system. They increase inflammation and put your sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight) on constant high-alert.

Your heart isn’t just a muscle. It’s the physiological mirror of your emotional landscape.

The “Why” of Behavioral Cardiology

This is why I’ve dedicated a significant part of my practice to Behavioral Cardiology. This isn’t just “talk therapy.” This is specialized, evidence-based support at the intersection of psychology and physiology.

We explore questions that regular therapy often misses:

• How does anxiety affect your heart rate variability (HRV)?

• What happens to your cognitive function (brain fog) after a cardiac event?

• How do you navigate the profound identity shift that comes with a new diagnosis?

Airing Down the Narrative

My goal as your therapist is to help you “air down” the noisy, anxiety-driven stories that hijack your nervous system. By learning the physical tools of regulation (like HRV biofeedback) alongside traditional clinical techniques, we treat the whole person. We don’t just manage symptoms; we restore resilience from the inside out.

Your heart and mind are designed to work together. Let’s make sure they are having the right conversation.