Psychotherapy
Why Psychotherapy?
People choose to attend therapy sessions to relieve emotional suffering, gain increased insight and skills, resolve challenges, experience catharsis and enhance wellbeing.
Emotional suffering may be the result of relationships (intra-or interpersonal) or developmental life changes. Intra-personal challenges may include low self-esteem, negative self-talk, difficulties making decisions, internal struggles dealing with personal identity or morals. Examples of interpersonal relationship challenges are being in a difficult relationship, loss of a relationship or a desire for a relationship. Moving out of home/ experiencing an empty nest, having a baby, getting married and changing jobs are examples of developmental life changes. Emotional suffering may occur because of physical or emotional trauma, physical illness or different types of loss.
In each area, people feel unable to manage and solve their problems alone. It is anticipated that during the process of therapy, they will be able to speak in confidence, resolve the challenge(s) and feel better. Central to this process is the development of a therapeutic alliance.
The Therapeutic Alliance
This alliance is co-created between the counsellor and client during the therapeutic process. It develops when the counsellor is perceived as being available, supportive, helpful, and embodying the qualities of unconditional positive regard (non-judgment), empathy (and compassion) and genuineness.
In turn, this helps the client to feel heard, safe, supported and encouraged to effect change on multiple levels.
The Process
Whatever your reason for attending sessions, it is my aim as a counsellor to listen, provide psychoeducation, skills and collaborate with you to alleviate suffering in the short-term as well as to initiate long-term change.
Therapeutically, I work in an integrative, heart-centered way which is grounded in the belief that we are intrinsically whole. Journeying through life, its challenges may have separated us from this wholeness, burdening us with symptoms of stress, anxiety, grief and loss, depression, trauma, and/or substance use and contributing to unhelpful behavioural patterns.
If you choose, for a while, we will travel together either in an individual or group process. Within the therapeutic space, you will be encouraged to courageously open the metaphorical backpack. Together we might discuss, reflect, and appraise its contents. If appropriate, I will share skills to add to those you already have and facilitate choice regarding what to replace or discard for the next part of the journey.
