About Me
Welcome! I’m Cliff and I want to help you discover what it feels like to live with a calm mind and an open heart.
My approach is deeply shaped by my training as a dual-licensed mental health and addictions counselor in Minnesota. Because learning something new can feel intimidating, starting from a true foundation of safety is essential. That is why I strive to create a welcoming space for everyone, ensuring our work together is always person-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed. To support my ability to guide you in this way, I sought specialized training outside of my graduate program. I became certified in the Trauma-Conscious Yoga Method (TCYM) and hold an advanced certification from the Polyvagal Institute (PVI). I also bring over twenty years of experience exploring how deeply interconnected the mind and body are through martial arts, including Shotokan Karate, Aikido, and Kaishin Ryu, as well as by practicing Hatha Yoga. I have since become a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) through Yoga Alliance, and became a certified mindfulness coach after over a decade of dedicated meditation practice.
In our work together, we'll focus on helping you find a new baseline for your nervous system—one that is anchored in a peaceful 'rest-and-digest' state rather than a chronic state of 'fight-or-flight.' We'll explore how your nervous system works so you can understand your body's natural responses, and look at the big picture to see how your environment and context influence how you handle stress. Simply changing your pattern of breathing can be an incredibly powerful tool in this pursuit. To do this, we will use the rich framework of traditional pranayama practices, beautifully infused with the evidence-informed approach of functional breathing. By learning these simple, regulated skills, you will discover how to gently influence your own physiology and build a lasting sense of calm from the inside out.
I believe in a "both/and" approach to well-being. The breathing and mindfulness tools you'll learn are fantastic for everyday self-improvement, and they also work beautifully when integrated into evidence-based therapies like ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) or CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). No matter where you are starting from, I'm here to walk beside you as you build a calmer and more balanced life.
So reach out and together let's begin your journey by taking in a light and slow breath through the nose!