About Me

Dorit Tomandl, LMFT, is a certified IFS therapist, trained in somatic IFS and provides trauma therapy in the Carmel/Fishers/Indianapolis, IN area

My Story

For the first 40 years of my life, I tried to be the person I should be. Because that was the condition for love and connection. But unfortunately, no matter how hard I tried, it was never good enough. I was never good enough.

I left my marriage and decided to start over, to finally do what felt right to me: I went back to school to make my lifelong interest in other people my profession. The journey took me to places I never knew existed - I have found compassion, love and respect for myself. I am no longer trying to fit in by bending myself into shapes that don’t fit. I have found true belonging in myself, just the way I am. (Of course, that journey is never over…)

I am no longer afraid of my emotions or uncomfortable sensations in my body. I see every ‘trigger moment’ as a portal to healing - the activation is the trailhead to the emotional injury.

If I had to describe myself, the term ‘Wounded Healer’ comes to mind - I grew up in a dysfunctional, enmeshed family with parents who were functioning alcoholics. My ex husband was verbally abusive, I escaped into eating and learned to disconnect from my own pain.

Learning to be with my own emotional injuries (or trauma) and the ongoing healing work allows me to hold space for your emotions with curiosity and compassion - no matter how big and intense they are.

My Values

Authenticity

No more ‘should’s’ - I strive to be an honest human being and show up for every moment.

Playfulness

I strive to create a safe space in my sessions so that we be playful, vulnerable and experiment with new ideas.

Compassion

I see the suffering behind the “bad” behavior. Instead of knowing what is right for you, I am present with curiosity and compassion.

Connection

The connection with my client matters most: your trust in our relationship determines the quality of our work together.

Training & Experience

  • I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist, a certified IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapist (Level 2)

    trained in:

    Somatic IFS

    IFIO (Intimacy from the Inside Out - the relational IFS model)

    RLT (Relational Life Therapy)

    My therapy approach is Polyvagal-informed, with a solid background in neuroscience and evolutionary psychology.

    I have trained with Dr. Frank Anderson, Susan McConnell, David Kessler (Grief), Derek Scott (Shame), Chris Burris (Inner Critic).

    I have taken classes on Financial Trauma, Medical Trauma and Religious Trauma.

    I have been in my own individual IFS therapy since 2019.

  • Processing, metabolizing and healing traumatic energy (sexual, relational, developmental, religious, financial, medical, racial)

    Establishing somatic connection between the mind and the body

    Compassionate Exploration of addictive processes (food, alcohol, drugs, work, sex)

    Compassionate exploration of depression, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem

    Working with couples to build better connection and communication

Let’s be curious together!

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