You’ve Worked So hard, you’ve learned so much.
Now You’re ready to live and feel differently.
Meaningful change is possible.
What I offer
I provide a form of somatic psychotherapy called NeuroAffective Relational Model, or NARM, to help you embody greater agency and authenticity. NARM is a unique and effective means of increasing connection, self-regulation and freedom from limiting patterns.
The term “somatic” does not refer to touch or body work, but rather an emphasis on your felt experience. NARM is a practice of slowing down, listening deeply and trusting the innate intelligence that guides you toward wholeness. This helps you integrate what you know intellectually with what you feel. Our focus is on the possibilities in the present, thus there is little need to rehash the past. We begin by clarifying your intention (what you most want for yourself), which organizes and orients our work together. Sessions are an opportunity to cultivate greater presence, connection and authenticity. The process, known as “facilitated self-inquiry”, invites unconscious patterns into awareness, opening opportunities for greater agency and meaningful change.
Who It’s For
Common reasons people seek my care include feeling stuck or overwhelmed, seeking meaning and purpose, difficulty in relationships, lacking self-confidence or self-compassion, difficulty managing stress, anxiety, depression, shame, grief, developmental/complex/relational trauma, and preparing for and processing psychedelic or mystical experiences. Given my background as a physician, I have a unique understanding of issues related to illness, caregiving, interfacing with the healthcare system as well as physical symptoms caused or exacerbated by stress, trauma, states of mind or mood.
NARM was specifically designed to resolve developmental (aka relational and complex trauma) with the understanding that trauma is part of the universal human experience. Also universal is our capacity to heal. We are resilient and resourceful. Our trauma is not the most interesting thing about us. NARM is strength-based, non-pathologizing and non-regressive. My work is about deepening your appreciation for what it means to be human and thus has wide application.
About Me
I am a licensed physician, board certified in Internal Medicine and NARM Master Practitioner. I practiced Primary Care for over ten years and have helped patients face realities of life and death. I’ve always approached my work holistically and relationally. I consider the therapeutic relationship to be an integral part of the healing process. My continued medical education has taken me down many paths including Functional and Integrative Medicine as well as Psychedelic Plant Medicine. My original interest in healthcare has remained my passion – the mind-body connection. As a physician interested in root causes, I find the role of neuro-regulation (the process by which our nervous system alters our physiology in response to our experiences) to be a powerful and often overlooked determinant of health and wellbeing. Most therapies that endeavor to impact neuro-regulation aim to change behavior. While behavior is important, focusing on behavior alone often falls short of deep and lasting change. NARM addresses the source of behavior (our state of being) to increase one’s capacity for balance and wellbeing. My work blends applied knowledge of physiology and psychology with philosophical and spiritual practices. While healthcare continues to fragment treatments into silos of sub-specialization, I enjoy bridging disciplines and translating complex concepts into relatable information.
About my practice
I work one-on-one with adults (18 years and older) both in-person in Woodstock, New York and virtually via Zoom. I do not accept insurance. The fee is due at time of service. I can provide a “superbill” (receipt including billing and diagnostic coding) upon request. I start with a 15 minute “clarity call” to ensure we are a good fit. You can schedule a clarity call here: https://calendly.com/kristendonigan/clarity.
“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”
“Dr. Kristen Donigan changed my life. Throughout many years I have worked with traditional therapy, read numerous books, and watched countless videos in an attempt to heal from developmental trauma yet nothing has come close to the profound life changing impact as working with Kristen and her expertise in NARM. On top of that she is kind and caring and works from the heart. Simply put, she is exceptionally good at what she does. I am forever grateful.”
What makes NARM unique?
We work in the present moment, the only place change is possible. This is often a relief – you don’t have to retell your whole story or rehash the past. We can start now.
NARM is experiential and thus integrates mind and body. Meaningful change arises not not only through what we know, but how we feel.
NARM is relational. Developmental and complex trauma is about disconnection from our authentic Self and others. NARM is a practice of reconnecting.
NARM is strength-based and non-pathologizing. Even our most annoying and painful habits originated as intelligent solutions and vital survival strategies. We are not broken, we are resourceful and resilient.
NARM is a form of facilitated Self-inquiry, as a NARM therapist, I do not interpret your experience or give advice, thus you develop the capacity to trust yourself. By practicing nonjudgmental curiosity, unconscious “autopilot settings” come into awareness, creating opportunities for meaningful change.
NARM is not a behavioral model. NARM views behaviors as symptoms and focuses instead on one’s deeper state of being.
NARM sessions are more structured and mutually engaged. We start with clarifying your intention and use this intention as a thread which organizes and orients our work together.
To me, NARM is a spiritual practice. NARM is a practice of trusting in the potential of the unknown, the unfolding of our innate intelligence that guides us toward wholeness.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are NARM sessions are like?
Sessions are face to face conversations (in person or via Zoom) conducted in a style called facilitated Self-Inquiry. Sessions last 50 minutes. Though NARM is a form of somatic psychotherapy, the term somatic does not refer to touch or body work, but rather an emphasis on the felt experience.
We start by clarifying what you’d most like for yourself. This intention becomes the thread that is woven throughout our time together. I will ask questions that have no right or wrong answers, but are intended to inspire self-awareness, insight, and curiosity. The process invites unconscious patterns of belief into awareness, opening opportunity for change.
While I don’t interpret your experience or give advice, I may explain concepts in developmental trauma, neuro-regulation, etc. Ultimately, NARM is an embodied experience rather than a cognitive process..
Why do people seek NARM therapy?
Some common reasons patients seek NARM are as follows: feeling stuck, lacking self-confidence or self-compassion, feeling overwhelmed, difficulty managing stress, difficulty in relationships, anxiety, depression, shame, grief, complex PTSD (developmental/complex/relational trauma), physical symptoms that seem to be caused or exacerbated by stress, trauma, mood or other experiences.
With NARM, do I have to re-experience or re-hash the past?
NARM works in the present moment to support agency and “adult consciousness”. NARM is intentionally “non-regressive” and aims to avoid “re-traumatization” or “re-enactments”. If memories, surface, we relate to them from the safety of the present moment. As a strength-based model we aim to build capacity for life.
How much do NARM sessions cost?
$210 per 50 minute session
Are your services covered by insurance?
I do NOT accept insurance, thus I am considered “out of network” with your insurance. I do provide reciepts with billing and diagnostic codes (called “superbills”) for your records, at your request. Some insurance plans offer some reimbursement for “out of network” services and providers. Reimbursement is not guaranteed. It is your responsibiity to understand your insurance plan and coverage.
How often are NARM sessions scheduled?
Typically patients see me for NARM once weekly or every other week.
How many NARM sessions do I need?
The total number of sessions will vary depending on your needs and goals. I recommend 3 sessions to get a feel for the work and determine if it’s right for you. Many people experience NARM as different from other therapies in the first session.
Are you a licensed therapist, social worker, or psychologist?
I am a licenced, board certified physician and provide therapy under the scope of my medical license; I am not a licensed therapist. I’m licensed to practice medicine in the states of New York and Illinois. I am nationally Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine of American Board of Medical Specialities. I earned my NARM Practitioner Certificate through the NARM Training Institute.
How did you learn NARM?
I study NARM through the NARM Training Institute. I started with Level 1 in 2020, completed Level 2 in 2021 and completed Master Level 3 in 2022. I now enjoy ongoing case consultation with senior faculty and participate in the ongoing Post Master training with NARM originator Larry Heller.
Is it okay to see you in addition to my regular therapist.
Yes. Sometimes patients seek a second therapist for specific and unique expertise such as training in a somatic model or developmental and complex trauma. As a physician, I bring a unique perspective to the connection between physical symptoms and mood, stress, or trauma.
How do I establish care or make an appointment?
I like to start with a 15 minute “clarity call” to allow us both to determine if we are a good fit. Establishing a doctor patient relationship is an investment on both our parts; It’s important that we feel aligned. Next, I take basic information – full legal name, date of birth, home address to create your chart in my electronic medical record system to securely house new patient paperwork and records
ARE DR. DONIGAN’S NARM SESSIONS RIGHT FOR YOUR?
My NARM sessions are for you IF:
You are interested, ready and willing to explore your inner world.
You are ready to take responsibility for your own life, liberty and happiness.
You want a therapist who is engaged and curious.
You are interested in a new approach or an alternative to cognitive behavioral therapy.
You suspect some of your symptoms are related to childhood, past experiences, or trauma.
You want a therapist who can be a partner on your healing journey.
About Dr. Donigan
I am a licensed physician, board certified in Internal Medicine. I practiced Primary Care for over ten years and have helped patients face realities of life and death. I’ve always approached my work holistically and relationally. I consider the therapeutic relationship to be an integral part of the healing process. My continued medical education has taken me down many paths including Functional and Integrative Medicine as well as Psychedelic Plant Medicine. My original interest in healthcare has remained my passion – the mind-body connection. As a physician interested in root causes, I find the role of neuro-regulation (the process by which our nervous system alters our physiology in response to our experiences) to be a powerful and often overlooked determinant of health and wellbeing. Most therapies that endeavor to impact neuro-regulation aim to change behavior. While behavior is important, focusing on behavior alone often falls short of deep and lasting change. NARM addresses the source of behavior (our state of being) to increase one’s capacity for balance and wellbeing. My work blends applied knowledge of physiology and psychology with philosophical and spiritual practices. While healthcare continues to fragment treatments into silos of sub-specialization, I enjoy bridging disciplines and translating complex concepts into relatable information.
Schedule a 15 minute free “clarity call”
To ensure a good fit, I start with a brief introductory chat.
This can help you feel into my presence and my approach. Come with your questions.
Email me at contact@kristendonigan.com or call 845-233-2277 to schedule a call
Remember to include your phone number and feel free to offer days and times that work well for you and I’ll do my best to accommodate.
Or, click the button below to complete a request form through this website.