Individual Therapy
Are You Ready to Discover the Power of Individual Therapy for Your Personal Growth and Healing?
As a unique individual, your therapy will involve a mix of different techniques tailored specifically to meet your needs. Whether it’s Lifespan Integration, Internal Family Systems, AEDP or another therapeutic approach, my main goal is for you to feel heard, respected and understood. Together, we’ll build trust and create a safe space where you can freely explore thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Recognizing that embarking on therapy can be daunting, I am committed to establishing a safe and non-judgmental space where all of your feelings can be met with empathy and acceptance.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST INDIVIDUAL SESSION ?
You can expect to start on time, be greeted warmly, and take a seat on the leather couch in my office with an invitation to move the pillows just the way you like them. In my approach to therapy, we’ll work together to create a comfortable environment where we can delve into your specific concerns. To guide our initial conversation, I may pose a serious of thought-provoking questions:
What motivated you to start therapy now?
Where do you feel you get stuck in life?
How are your closest relationships?
What was it like growing up in your family?
What changes would you most like to make in your life?
As we get curious and explore your desires and the barriers preventing you from experiencing joy, happiness, and purpose, we’ll start to notice unique patterns, habits, and emotional responses. Occasionally, I’ll inquire about your feelings regarding our discussion, employing a technique called metaprocessing. This approach allows us to step back and acknowledge the progress we’re making together, enabling you to reorganize the way you see yourself in the world. I often compare our work to organizing a cluttered drawer, where we initially empty its contents and then step back to consider how they can be better arranged. In some cases, you may even decide that certain behaviors, thoughts, or beliefs no longer serve you, and we’ll explore what it means to let go while creating space for what truly matters to you.
And if your someone who worries that maybe your problems are not significant compared to others, rest assured that I firmly believe every human deserves to have their feelings validated and expressed. You won’t be left feeling like you’re carrying the burden alone; as your therapist, I’ll guide you through the process, creating a pathway to a deeper understanding of yourself. I’ll be there to support you every step of the way.
At some point, perhaps even from our very first session, we’ll also delve into topics such as the vagus nerve, polyvagal theory (coined by Stephen Porges), the power of breath, meditation, neurotransmitters and how your nervous system influences your mood, thoughts, and overall well-being. This knowledge becomes particularly crucial if you ever experience anxiety or feelings of sadness (and it’s worth noting that these are universal experiences). I promise to present this information in a way that is not overly scientific, but rather empowers you to harness you own biology for your benefit. Here’s a spoiler alert: You are the hero of your own story!
As our session nears its end, I’ll check in with you to ensure that our therapeutic relationship is working well and that you feel seen and understood. I’ll make every effort to conclude our session on time, addressing any emotions that may have surfaced so that you can leave our 50 minutes together feeling ready to return to your home, work, or life responsibilities without the weight of intense emotional experiences. I may even remind you to leave any emotional burdens with me, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your life that require your time and attention. Meanwhile, I’ll keep track of our progress so that we can revisit any unfinished topics when you’re ready.
Finally, it’s important for you to know that I place great importance on highlighting the positive aspects of your journey. Even if we only catch a glimpse of something hopeful in the distance, I will draw your attention to it so that we can appreciate it together. It’s just as crucial to discuss what’s going right as it is to address what’s going wrong. Celebrating small victories will help cultivate courage and provide you with the resilience to keep moving forward. I want you to know that by embarking on this therapeutic journey, you have already demonstrated immense bravery, and you deserve to be celebrated!
