Foundation:
While this picture captures my attention and has been one of my motto’s in my adult life, the true foundation of my treatment approach rests on three pillars of belief around our capacity for growth and change (not necessarily around chocolate and coffee!). Firstly, I believe in the inherent worth and value of each individual who comes into my office. You may not be in a place where you see it, or believe it to be true, but I hold that core belief for you as a sacred truth. This belief translates into an approach that values you, respects your own intrinsic and unique inner resources, honors your voice, engages in truthfulness and integrity in my relationship with you, and compassionately desires the best for you.
Secondly, I believe it is essential to integrate a persons’ whole being, their body, mind, emotions, and spirit, into the counseling experience for optimum wellness and mental health benefit. We have all experienced how our thoughts can impact our emotions and vice versa. Did you know that your thoughts and emotions affect your body as well? Scientists have discovered that thoughts and emotions have their own unique neural firing patterns in the various parts of our brain, and not only do these various biochemical reactions impact our brain but almost every other system in our body! The immune, endocrine, and digestive system are all connected to the electrically based central nervous system of which our brain is a part. We now know that trauma and stress not only impact our brain but exact a toll on the body. Trauma can be stored in the very “cells” of our body. An informed approach that honors this psycho-physical experience, will see the body as a resource for releasing the trauma and stress stored there.
Thirdly, I believe in the power of relationship as a healing agent for change. The brain is a social organ, every part of it wired for connection. Our relationships with one another are an essential ingredient for life and well-being. Judith Herman M.D. (a pivotal pioneer in the work of trauma and recovery) so aptly states, “the core experiences of psychological trauma are dis-empowerment and disconnection from others. Recovery, therefore, is based upon the empowerment of the survivor and the creation of new connections. Recovery can take place only within the context of relationships; it cannot occur in isolation” (pg. 133). While much brokenness and hurt can come in relationships, healing those hurts must also come in the context of relationships. That is why an authentic counseling relationship can be so critical in the healing process.
Process:
Each individual client is unique, so I don’t believe in a one-size fits all approach. I will modify and adjust the counseling process as appropriate for you. I find many clients benefit from a progressive healing journey beginning with resourcing the client.
Resourcing draws on different modalities to help the client begin to function more fully in daily living. These resources can include skills and tools the client can take home and put into practice. Some of the modalities I draw on include: mindfulness training, neurofeedback, regulation skills (being able to calm and re-balance when emotionally distraught), breathing practices, biofeedback, psycho-education, trauma-informed resources (anchors, safe place visualization, dual-awareness practices). A big part of resourcing involves growing and expanding your field of awareness around the internal dynamics of thoughts, emotions, and body sensations. Much of the time we live in auto-pilot, meaning we “respond” in an unconscious way to the needs, interactions and demands in our day. Truly our conscious, thoughtful actions are just the “tip of the iceberg”. It is so valuable to raise awareness around the bulk of these internal dynamics which lie below immediate awareness.
Another valuable part of resourcing can include relationship building. This is the work of building a connection with self and others. The here and now relationship with me, the counselor, is part of this important process. This can include understanding more fully what healthy boundaries include, how to say “no”, empowering and finding one’s voice, communication skills, and practicing self-care.
Integration:
Once the client is adequately resourced, deeper healing work can begin to unfold. I draw on the wisdom of the neuro-biological/attachment approach which keeps the body and the mind in focus, drawing on both as a resource to integrate our fragmented experiences into a coherent life story. In addition, I find it valuable to integrate and understand the different parts of our personality and ego states, parts that have been consciously or unconsciously ignored and stuffed away. Understanding these disowned parts of our self can help us diffuse the power they hold over our interactions and decisions. Oftentimes, these parts are frozen in a window of time in our life where we were wounded and were desperately trying to cope with the burdens handed to us. Unfreezing those parts and bringing them into the here and now is a critical journey for healing the heart and spirit. Dr. Carl Jung’s work, Dr. Richard Schwartz’s Internal Family Systems, and John Eldredge’s work has helped inform my process.
Counseling offers a safe place to welcome your story, wrestle with your perceptions, and re-discover your true worth and value. Take a step, make a call (970) 412-9842 and come in for a free consultation. Life is too short!