Narrative Therapy
Narrative is a practice that helps individuals live fully by connecting them with the stories of their lives and what is most important to them. It’s a collaborative, respectful, non-blaming approach that centers people as the experts in their own lives. It views problems as separate from people and assumes people have many skills, beliefs, values, commitments, and abilities. Narrative helps people separate from the influence of problems in their lives.
Postmodern narrative therapy believes that there is no one objective ‘truth’ and that there are many multiple possible interpretations of any event. Thus within a narrative approach, our lives are seen as having multiple stories rather than a single story.
Therapists who use a narrative approach don’t see themselves as the “experts” who solve problems, but collaborators who, through questions and conversations, put the client at the center of their therapy to discover the hopeful, preferred, and previously unrecognized and hidden possibilities contained within themselves.
Contact me to learn more about Narrative Therapy and how it can help you.
EMDR
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is a technique for rapid healing from distressing events. You interrupt thought patterns that are neurologically coded and free yourself to introduce new, life-enhancing thoughts.
Emotional Freedom Technique or Tapping (EFT)
Tapping, also known as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), is a well-researched practice for speeding up the process of change. In my work, I have seen the rapid resolution of trauma and anxiety as well as improved relationships with money.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of experiences, rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future. Creativity and possibility exist only in the present. Mindfulness helps reduce stress, enhance performance, gain insight and awareness through observing ourselves on all levels in the moment. I help people explore mindfulness meditation as well as mindfulness practices in the moment.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
I utilize CBT interventions to help people expand their options by changing the way you think and act. The basic concept is that one’s thoughts influence one’s emotions, which then has a direct effect on behavior.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma-informed care is grounded in and directed by a thorough understanding of the neurological, biological, psychological, and social effects of trauma and the prevalence of these experiences in persons who seek and receive mental health and substance abuse treatment services. It takes into account knowledge about trauma — its impact, interpersonal dynamic, and paths to recovery — and incorporates this knowledge into all aspects of service delivery. Service is about creating a culture in therapy grounded in the understanding of trauma, establishing safety, incorporating cultural humility and responsiveness, compassion, dependability, collaboration, collaboration, empowerment, resilience, and recovery.
A Strengths Based Approach
I believe that everyone has innate skills readily available to them to help them take control of their own life. A strengths-based approach focus’ on bringing forth people’s potential, abilities, successes and strengths. Together we look at the times the problem didn’t exist to understand what they are capable of and what has worked.
This is in contrast to a therapeutic intervention that focus mostly on defining and talking about problems. This approach often doesn’t leave space or time to focus intentionally on moments the problem wasn’t around. I prefer to encourage the client to articulate what they are hopeful about, what they are already doing well, what their unique strengths are, character traits that can be used towards a solution, and what is already working for them. The effects of problems are appreciated but are not the sole focus of treatment.
With a Strength-Based approach, I help people discover solutions to the challenges that prevent them from more fully becoming who they are.
Get in touch to learn more about how I can help you live a fuller, happier life now.
Skill Building
There are lots of skills that can be developed and practiced both in therapy and in between sessions. There may be skills to uncover that have worked in the past and new skills to learn including meditation, tapping, breathing, mindfulness, the development of self-care practices, and more.
See this video for more information.