Welcome
"And suddenly you know…It’s time to start something new and trust in the magic of beginnings."
-Meister Eckhart
What is Therapy?
I believe therapy is the process of developing self-understanding with compassion that takes place within a collaborative, therapeutic relationship. Access to one’s capacity for self-compassion reduces suffering and promotes healing, allowing growth to unfold.
Therapy is very individualized, and each path is unique. What I’ve listed below are some ways we might proceed. Developing a sense of trust is necessary. I strive to create a safe space for that to develop.
What will happen in the first session?
In an initial meeting, we are simultaneously getting to know each other and developing an understanding of your concerns and how to address them. We review different areas of your life including your current experiences of emotions and thoughts, your developmental stage of life, who is in your life, your physical health, your activities (job, school, caregiving and other daily responsibilities), your interests and values. We consider your sense of spirituality and the cultural/societal/geographical context of your world, as well as your past and current experiences in your family.
What kinds of things do we do?
Initially, I may incorporate relaxation techniques including guided imagery, simple breathing techniques, progressive muscle relaxation, or meditation. It is a powerful experience to realize that we can decrease our stress level with techniques that we can use just about anywhere!
In therapy sessions, we can learn about your emotions through tuning into your experience of body sensations and your beliefs about yourself and the world, approaching these with a sense of curiosity and compassion. Through this process, we can begin to understand the role of emotions or symptoms in your life and what kind of self-healing needs to occur.
As we understand yourself better and begin healing within, it becomes easier to make the behavioral steps that you strive to make.
