Relationships are where we heal, and that is why I take a strong relational, individual approach with compassion, insight and respect.
I use a selection of psychotherapeutic techniques which are not just focused on thinking, but also engage body awareness. These get to the root of your challenges to help you make long-lasting change. They are:
Compassionate Inquiry
Compassionate Inquiry, developed by Dr. Gabor Maté, to help us recognize unconscious dynamics that run our lives and how to liberate ourselves from these. We gain insight, clarity and choice in our behaviour.
“The purpose of Compassionate Inquiry is to drill down to the core stories people tell themselves - to get them to see what story they are telling themselves unconsciously, what those beliefs are, where they came from, and guide them to the possibility of letting go of those stories, or letting go of the hold those stories have on them…”
-Dr. Gabor Maté-
Internal Family Systems
Internal Family Systems, developed by Dr. Swartz, to understand the different parts of ourselves and their roles.
Understand the ways you function, work past unproductive patterns, and find more balance in the way you live and love.
All “parts” (coping mechanisms) developed in childhood served us then, but become dysfunctional in our adult lives. They all have positive intentions even if their actions or effects seem to be counterproductive or even harmful.
Clients develop self-reliance, and learn how to manage physical and emotional stress long term.
Inner Child Work
Inner child work is an approach to recognizing and healing childhood trauma. We can see, with compassion and without blaming anyone, the trauma that was passed on to us.
We can see with clarity that our behaviors as an adult stem from our childhood experiences and we will unpick the beliefs we created about ourselves and address our unmet needs by reparenting ourselves.
We will explore how our early relationship with our caregivers is influencing the way we are attaching to the most important people in our life today.
You’ve either been cold and distant with your loved ones, or you are on the other end of the spectrum, feeling extra clingy and worried with those in your life.
We give these young hurt parts of ourselves the love and attention they need so they don’t need to act out anymore.
Polyvagal Theory
Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, maps our nervous system to deepen awareness and connection to our body, so we can understand why we react as we do and also recognize where we are at.
I will help you to work out what you need to come back to feeling grounded, safe and connected and we will make a plan for a self-care routine.
I use Peter Levine’s methods and explanations to understand and complete the fight, flight or freeze responses.
Life Coaching
Life Coaching can help you clarify and plan your goals and desired outcomes so you can stay on the forward-moving path and track your progress.
A coach is your accountability and thinking partner who can help you find where you are stuck, move beyond your blinding fears, inherited beliefs and assumptions that limit possible actions.
When you hit a bump in the road I will be there to support you in overcoming, learning and growing from your challenges.