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ABOUT MY APPROACH & METHODS

My approach to psychotherapy is first and foremost:

  • Relational & connected

  • Attentive

  • Collaborative

  • Humanistic

  • Person-Centered

  • Empathic

  • Compassionate

  • Validating

  • Experiential

  • Attachment theory-based

  • Trauma-informed

  • Focused on changing root-cause neurobiological & relational systems 

       rather than focusing on symptom management

... and also:​

  • Strengths-based

  • Empowering

  • Encouraging

  • Non-pathologizing

  • Grounded in scientific research & theory (particularly neuroscience)

  • Holistic & Somatic

  • A balanced dynamic of leading and following 

  • A balance of organic and professional

  • A balance of direct and sensitive

  • Gender-affirming

  • Culturally sensitive & informed by cultural humility

  • Psychoeducational

  • Depth oriented & psychodynamic

       (processing the subconscious and childhood core experiences)

... while at times my approach can be:

  • Lovingly challenging

  • Playful & humorous

About my Methods:

The two primary theories of humanistic experiential psychotherapy I use are:

  • Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) for relationships

  • Mindfulness-based experiential therapy (MBET) for individual & group therapy:

    • Hakomi and Re-Creation of Self (RCS) models

In EFT, I work with relationships to:

  • Identify and step out of subconscious feedback systems

  • Communicate more clearly

  • Respond more effectively

  • Work as a team

  • Increase engagement and availability

  • Repair relationship injuries & resolve relationship traumas

  • Strengthen bonds and intimacy

  • Stabilize and naturalize more effective relationship patterns & strategies

  • Develop secure attachment

In MBET, I work with clients in collaborative mindfulness to:​

  • Stimulate neuroplasticity (changing the wiring of the brain)

  • Expand the possibility of positive life experiences

  • Disrupt unhelpful habit patterns

  • Integrate parts of self and experience more wholeness

  • Explore the subconscious mind including:

    • Thoughts and core beliefs

    • Somatic (bodily) experiences, sensations, postures and impulses​

    • Emotions

    • Memories (particularly early childhood memories)

  • Explore parts of self

  • Explore mind-states 

  • Role play to integrate new possibilities or deeply explore habit patterns

  • Explore relationship dynamics with the therapist​

  • Regulate and resolve traumatic feelings

I also incorporate techniques and ideas from:

  • Gottman method

  • PACT (the psychobiological approach to couples therapy)

  • Relational life therapy

  • NVC (nonviolent communication/compassionate communication)

  • Systems theory

  • IPNB (Interpersonal neurobiology)

  • Polyvagal Theory

  • Gestalt

  • Somatic experiencing

  • Psychodrama

  • Three pillars model of attachment treatment & IPF (ideal parent figure) protocol

  • Feminist theory

  • Existential psychotherapy philosophies

  • NLP (neurolinguistic programming)

  • EMDR (eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing)

  • Multicultural Counseling Theory

  • IFS (internal family systems)

  • CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)

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Let’s Work Together

Get in touch to schedule a free 30 minute consultation to discuss your wants and needs in therapy or ask me any questions you might have.

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