My Therapeutic Approach

I use an integrative approach during sessions that combines insight, emotions, and is often experiential. In psychological theory, I draw from psychodynamic, interpersonal, humanistic, mindfulness and third-generation cognitive behavioral perspectives. So what does that mean?

Psychodynamic

We all have blind spots and unconscious patterns that impact our relationships and how we navigate the world. Psychodynamic “talk therapy” aims to bring our unconscious thoughts and patterns into consciousness and understand how our past experiences impact our present lives. By better understanding why we repeat patterns and do things that may no longer serve us, there is an opportunity to make different, informed choices. Rather than focussing on symptoms, talk therapy is a relational healing process that can diminish aloneness, as you feel seen and understood.

Emotion-Focused & Experiential

Emotions open doors, make us real and transform healing. Deep and lasting change comes from more than left-brain, logical understanding of our patterns. While this is an important part of our work, it is also vital to engage our right brain emotional selves. I utilize both Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) to help you access and feel emotion during our sessions as a way of moving forward, healing and connecting to others.

Mindful

Observing ourselves and the world around us without judgement provides clarity and information to better understand, feel and accept ourselves. By slowing down and noticing our thoughts and bodily sensations, we gain valuable insights. Mindfulness practices align well with the psychodynamic and experiential process. Neuroscience has also demonstrated that it is not possible to worry or ruminate about the past or future when we are fully present in a moment.