If you choose to come into therapy to work with me, my intention is to deeply listen to what you are needing support with. Together we will determine the issue or issues you would like support with and what your goals are about them. If we put our minds together, we can choose to build a relationship rooted in collaboration, strength, safety, trust, non-judgment, warmth and radical acceptance. Within the context of the relationship we nurture, we can then explore the depths and breadth of the issues needed. I will help you connect to your hope, inner resource, joy, community support, body/soma, creativity (music, art, dancing) and spirit as a way to support you in the work. We will also look at obstacles that may be in the unconscious. This will need to be a gentle and mindful process so we may promote flow, integration and healing of your being. As you move toward healing and integration, this will help you take the steps forward in creating a healthier, more joyful and fulfilling life.
“The pillars of traditional healing were 1) connection to clan and the natural world; 2) regulating rhythm through dance, drumming, and song; 3) a set of beliefs, values, and stories that brought meaning to even senseless, random trauma; and 4) on occasion, natural hallucinogens or other plant-derived substances used to facilitate healing with the guidance of a healer or elder. It is not surprising that today’s best practices in trauma treatment are basically versions of these four things”
– Oprah Winfrey and Dr Bruce Perry
What Happened to you? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing
It is my belief that therapy needs to involve shadow work and a willingness to delve into the unconscious and memories from the past. As Bessel Van Der Kolk, the leading expert in trauma says, “the body keeps the score” and stores all of your history within it. The body does not forget what has happened to you even if your conscious mind has forgotten. Sometimes parts of us get split off from our awareness as a way to adapt, however; this can cause great distress. For example; what happens to those parts of us, like our child self whose needs were never met or spoken? One of the greatest benefits of this deeper work is the opportunity to integrate these fractured parts of ourselves into wholeness. When we can understand, bring to light and honor all aspects of the self, we can come into a full embodiment of being.
Of note: In therapy there is a beginning, a middle and an end. All parts of this are important. In the early work, the focus is on building the relationship and rapport, gathering historically relevant data, getting to know you and the issues that feel most present. The middle is the heart of the work, where greater understanding of the issues are revealed, connections made and regulating tools discussed to support the process. The regulating tools like EMDR or Brainspotting, music & rhythm, art & self expression, yoga & meditation, time in nature, exercise etc. In the end, it is important to prepare for the goodbye. We will check in throughout the process to see how things are going. In the end, it is important to say goodbye and reflect on the time spent together and honor the time spent.
In addition: I will meet you where you are at and I will put effort into this healing process just like you will also need to put forth your best effort in your own healing process. Therapy is most effective with consistency and for best success predictable meeting times and intervals is recommended. Together we will decide the intervals between meetings. Often meeting weekly is best practice, however; biweekly can be a great interval as well. As we move through issues, you may want to back off to monthly sessions. Over time tapering down in a caring and mindful way will be helpful as we come to the end of our work together. If you only attend intermittently, you may not feel the maximum benefit.
