How can therapy be helpful to me?
There are so many ways that therapy can be helpful for you depending on the goals defined between you and the therapist. As an individual, therapy may help increase clarification of who you are, process difficult past experiences, or change the negative impact of anxiety, depression, or other symptoms on your life. If you and your partner are facing challenges in your relationship, therapy can aid in building skills to express yourself and feel validated when communicating, prioritizing your relationship among increasing responsibilities, and moving past blocks to connection.
What will a session look like with you?
I maintain a balance of allowing the client to bring their concerns and current challenges into the room while maintaining a direction that will move us closer to achieving your defined goals. In couples therapy we’ll identify experienced emotions and negative patterns of interaction, ultimately having you express yourselves to one another while building emotional safety and understanding. Individual therapy will be attuned to the client’s goals but I have found it helpful to process your emotional experience to current stressors, past traumas, and work to align your current world to your values.
How long does therapy take?
The time it takes for therapy will vary by the client and couple. It can typically take at least 14 sessions for lasting change and understanding to become evident. We will continue to keep conversations about progress and your feelings toward the process open.
What models of therapy do you work from?
My first priority as a therapist is to always act from a place of nonjudgement and understanding. I draw my practices from two theoretical orientations, Emotionally-Focused and Narrative Therapy. Without using too much therapy jargon, Emotionally-Focused therapy seeks to increase vulnerable expression between partners and encourages you to turn toward one another rather than away during conflict. Using this theory, we will identify your negative cycle of interaction, gain awareness of the emotions, thoughts, and protective responses that make up the cycle, and begin to make different moves that fuel understanding and connection. Some of the principles of Narrative therapy that I lean on include my attention to client identity and social location, addressing social and familial messages that contribute to negative thought, and aligning your goals to the ideal story of your life.