Verena Socolar, PhD, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Chapel Hill NC
Most people develop some kind of self-loathing and feel disappointed in themselves. This is typically based on messages we receive growing up. Somehow, we are never good enough, we don’t measure up in intelligence, beauty, goodness and accomplishments. Rejections from parents, lovers, and friends over the years can cause us to lose self-esteem, confidence, and trust in self. If we had traumatic experiences, we learned to shut down more and feel disconnected from life. Especially when bad things happened when we were still children, we diminished ourselves and constricted parts of ourselves that were not met with safety and acceptance. There is an intelligence that helped us to survive and to get to the present moment. However, now you are in a time in your life that you can seek support to take a new look. Habits and coping that helped you in the past may no longer work, and they inhibit you from finding your true potential and joy.
As a therapist, I can help you to uncover old wounds and hurts, help you to process traumatic experiences, and help you to more deeply connect with who you are in your essence. Especially when working with Ketamine, I invite the Sacred to enter the healing space. I will explore with you (if you choose to work with me) what this means to you, and we collaborate on setting up a ritual space that feels good to both of us.
I believe life can feel like a journey into uncharted land. It may take time until we have clarity about where we are going, and it is important to be willing to change course midway. My own journey has had some unexpected surprises. I grew up in Germany and came to the States as an exchange student for what I believed would be just one year. I was studying biology at the time. As the year came to an end, I decided not to return to Germany, but to complete my studies at the State University of New York at Albany, where I had gotten involved in a research project. Five years later, I completed a Ph.D. in cell biology, but my life had already taken a new turn.
While working on my degree, I had started to volunteer for a suicide prevention hotline and discovered the power of listening. I felt I had a different calling. So even though I was promised a successful career in science, I opted to follow my heart and went back to school for a degree in nursing. I worked as a Registered Nurse (RN) for many years and never regretted my decision. I loved being able to help people during difficult times. Eventually I decided to return to school one more time to get my training and qualifications as a nurse practitioner (NP). I earned a Master’s in the Science of Nursing with a focus on psychiatry and mental health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
I have had the privilege to accompany many people on their healing journeys and have been inspired by their courage and wisdom. I do believe in a holistic approach to healing. Healing is not a return to what was, but a movement forward to a new life allowing true happiness and joy.
--In-person psychotherapy.
--Medication management for mental health conditions.
--Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy including preparation and integration sessions
--Instructions in Realization Process*
*Realization Process was developed by Judith Blackstone and involves practices for opening the body, heart and mind to nondual reality. Radical awakening is found through contact with your internal body. I am a fully certified Realization Process Teacher and Realization Process Trauma Repair Therapist.
I also integrate the Realization Process into my therapeutic process as indicated during the sessions.