About Dr. Hintz (They/He)

When an individual decides to begin exploring therapy, there are so many things they may be considering or wondering about. At Twelve Oaks, the goal is to provide a welcoming and healing space so that you can be seen, heard, and valued for who you are, without the pressure to hide behind the mask. The foundation of trust we build enables us to peel away the layers and create meaningful goals to work on, continually checking in and adjusting as needed. Let's be real, sometimes you don't know where to start and change is hard. You've already taken the first step, and it starts here! How about another? 

 Are you and your partner(s) struggling with connection or feeling stuck in your relationship? Maybe things just aren't like what they used to be, and you're wanting to reconnect and improve communication, maybe this relationship is newer and just needs fine tuning, maybe you're looking for deeper intimacy or to spice things up with some novelty but not sure what or how to go about this... Maybe there was a betrayal in the relationship, and you're wanting to heal and move forward, maybe you're questioning if your relationship should dissolve or if repair can happen... Either way, you're ready for something different and motivated to make changes to move toward a healthier, more fulfilling relationship. At Twelve Oaks, various relationship styles are recognized without shame and judgement so you can move from the relationship you have to a healthier relationship that fits and is more fulfilling, comfortable and safe.

Some individuals or relationships would like to engage in therapy intensives, which are much longer or multiple days back-to-back of therapy. Therapy intensives are great for individuals who are busy where weekly or biweekly sessions are difficult to fit into the schedule, or for individuals wanting to cover a lot of ground in shorter span of time. Therapy intensives are offered on a limited basis and costs depend on a variety of factors.

Sex and sexuality are important, valid, and essential parts of our lives. I believe sex and sexuality should be normalized, explored, and celebrated with the intricacies that show up in unique ways. As an important part of the human experience, other life stressors or transitions may impact our sexual health and vice versa. I do this work from a sex positive and affirmative place. My goal is to help you move from where you are to where you want to be. No matter where you are on your journey as an individual or relationship, there is no better place to start than where you are. Some of my specialized areas of interest around sexuality include bringing joy to sex and sexuality, exploration of sexuality and gender identities, helping parents talk to their children about sexuality, low or mismatched desire, sexual anxiety/shame, partner betrayal, compulsive and out-of-control sexual behavior, diverse relationship structures (ethical non-monogamy, open marriage, etc.), BDSM/kink, sexual trauma, and more. Through this work, I hold a safe, affirming, compassionate and non-judgmental space where all are welcomed and celebrated as they are.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a transformative model based on the belief of natural multiplicity of the mind, which is a good thing. As a non-pathologizing and evidence-based psychotherapy model, IFS is a way of understanding personal and intimate relationships, which helps people heal by accessing and healing their protective and wounded inner "parts." This work supports individuals understand and integrate their inner "parts," leading to greater self-compassion, emotional regulation, and resilience, effectively treating various presenting concerns such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, relationship issues, low self-esteem, and chronic pain by fostering a strong internal leader (the Self) to guide these internal systems.

Intimacy From the Inside Out (IFIO) is a powerful, experiential model of relationship therapy that expands the IFS framework and integrates the interpersonal with the intrapersonal. IFIO  addresses any issue people face in relationships. These include problems with communication, tensions between togetherness and separateness, conflict over decisions, feeling misunderstood or unloved, heated fights, intimacy and sexuality concerns, disrespected boundaries, and betrayals.

Brainspotting (BSP) is a powerful and effective focused treatment method that works by identifying, processing, and releasing core neuro-physiological sources of emotional and physical pain, trauma, dissociation and other unhealthy coping mechanisms. What we have learned is that the logical part of the brain engaged in talk therapy is not where our traumatic experiences are stored. Instead, these traumatic experiences are stored in the primitive brain, which is why those unhealthy coping skills or trauma responses occur so suddenly sometimes. Brainspotting helps the client access the primitive parts of the brain to release the trauma in the brain and body for lasting healing and a healthier you.

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a powerful and innovative listening therapy designed to help regulate the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system regulates essential bodily functions and is commonly known as what engages the “fight/flight” or “freeze” responses. SSP uses filtered music to “send cues of safety” to the nervous system, helping to restore a person’s ability to interpret safety and improve their responses to stress. This leads to a person feeling more balanced, calm, and more connected to others with deeper and more meaningful relationships.