Tatum Santacasa (She/They)

I am a biracial queer woman; my identity is both personally and outwardly rooted in promoting equality in/out of the therapy office. Being lesbian, bisexual, transgender, gay, intersex, or queer (or questioning) brings unique challenges in the often prejudiced and intolerant mainstream American culture. holding onto or exploring their sexual orientation, examining internalized homophobia, managing external discrimination, or negotiating decisions about whether, when, or how to come out.

Food is one of the earliest ways we humans experience nurturance and interaction with a caring adult. food takes on many meanings about relationships, needs, control, and the value of self. The development of an eating disorder signals a problem in one or several of these areas; it arises as an attempt to solve this problem, by drawing attention to the problem, by pulling the family together to address symptoms of the eating disorder; or expressing/repressing feelings related to current problem.

I love working with couples, young adults and LGBTQ+ folks focusing in areas of • Life and vocational direction • Relational difficulties • Fertility struggles (including infertility) • Anxiety and Stress (workplace, relational, etc) • Disordered eating tendencies • Diagnosed eating disorders • Trauma (acute and chronic) • Abuse (emotional, physical, sexual, spiritual) • Depression • Grief and Loss • General longing for a sense of belonging and love

Food is one of the earliest ways we humans experience nurturance and interaction with a caring adult. food takes on many meanings about relationships, needs, control, and the value of self. The development of an eating disorder signals a problem in one or several of these areas; it arises as an attempt to solve this problem, by drawing attention to the problem, by pulling the family together to address symptoms of the eating disorder; or expressing/repressing feelings related to current problem.

Food is one of the earliest ways we humans experience nurturance and interaction with a caring adult. food takes on many meanings about relationships, needs, control, and the value of self. The development of an eating disorder signals a problem in one or several of these areas; it arises as an attempt to solve this problem, by drawing attention to the problem, by pulling the family together to address symptoms of the eating disorder; or expressing/repressing feelings related to current problem.

Food is one of the earliest ways we humans experience nurturance and interaction with a caring adult. food takes on many meanings about relationships, needs, control, and the value of self. The development of an eating disorder signals a problem in one or several of these areas; it arises as an attempt to solve this problem, by drawing attention to the problem, by pulling the family together to address symptoms of the eating disorder; or expressing/repressing feelings related to current problem.

I work from an attachment perspective to de-escalate the problematic interactional cycle maintaining attachment insecurity and relationship distress by creating a therapeutic alliance and accessing unacknowledged primary emotions. Working from an attachment perspective allows individuals and couples access in underlying attachment-related emotions and the needs associated with these emotions opens the individual, couple, and/or family to address needs in new ways.

I work from an attachment perspective to de-escalate the problematic interactional cycle maintaining attachment insecurity and relationship distress by creating a therapeutic alliance and accessing unacknowledged primary emotions. Working from an attachment perspective allows individuals and couples access in underlying attachment-related emotions and the needs associated with these emotions opens the individual, couple, and/or family to address needs in new ways.

Rather than playing the expert and objectively prescribing client’s motives, needs, drives, ego strengths, or personality characteristics; I value and respect differences between myself and my clients/families; I aim to collaborate with patients giving what they have to say equal privilege, and helping them to consider alternative stories. I help my clients identify their own strengths and wisdom to make positive change, and treatment is always customized to meet their unique needs.

As always, when constructing self-compassion coping statements, try to think about the most honest description of what’s happening. It isn’t necessarily the happiest, but it also should be void of criticism. Acknowledge that you are having the thoughts and feelings that you’re having. Recognize that others do (or at least would) find these thoughts and feelings difficult to contend with. Then invite yourself to recognize your strengths and your ability to exert those strengths against the OCD.