Benefits of Counseling
It takes courage and commitment to seek help and make changes. Indeed, taking the steps to engage in counseling reflects a willingness to confront challenges and work towards personal growth and well-being. Emphasizing the potential for insight, understanding, and healing underscores the therapeutic journey's profound impact. Through the counseling process, individuals can gain clarity about their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, fostering self-awareness and facilitating positive change. Counseling can offer a space to learn and practice new skills and strategies, and gain insights to develop practical tools to navigate life's challenges and in taking responsibility towards forward moving change.
As a counselor, my approach revolves around understanding and addressing the various factors that may impact one's well-being, fostering a client-centered and relational environment for personal growth and development. This client-centered approach emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship and tailoring interventions to meet the unique needs of each individual. The incorporation of various theories and frameworks into my counseling services provides a comprehensive and integrative approach which is based on the following:
Attachment Theory
Attachment theory highlights the importance of early relationships in shaping our connections and worldviews. By understanding these foundational attachments, we gain insight into their impact on our current relationships and emotional well-being. Using a compassionate approach, I help clients explore their attachment styles and work towards developing secure, fulfilling connections.
Neurobiological Framework and Polyvagal Theory
Acknowledging the connection between psychological and physiological processes is crucial for understanding and addressing emotional responses. Particularly, polyvagal theory emphasizes the importance of the autonomic nervous system in managing emotions and facilitating social engagement.
Trauma-Informed Care
Understanding how deeply trauma can impact every part of life is at the heart of my approach. Using trauma-sensitive practices like EMDR, narrative exposure, and guided imagery, I strive to create a space of safety, trust, and empowerment for each client. These methods offer gentle pathways to healing, honoring each person’s unique story and supporting them in reclaiming a sense of control and resilience.
Choice Theory
Integrating the idea that individuals possess the ability to make choices that impact their well-being. This theory frequently entails examining clients' values, aspirations, and decision-making processes.
Spiritual, Meaning and Purpose
Exploring what brings meaning and purpose to life is an essential part of our work together. This journey often reveals values and beliefs that shape identity and guide us through life’s challenges. For many, a spiritual aspect—whether rooted in faith, personal values, or a sense of purpose—serves as a guiding light. Together, we’ll honor and explore these dimensions to support a stronger, more fulfilled sense of self.
My approach centers on understanding you as a whole person—mind, body, heart, and spirit. By blending various therapies and frameworks, I create a counseling experience uniquely tailored to your needs. Together, we’ll build a supportive and empowering relationship, where you can heal, create meaningful change, gain insights, and uncover a path to a more fulfilling, purpose-driven life.
Therapeutic Interventions
For Children (Ages 3-10):
Play & Expressive Arts
- Offering Child Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), designed for children ages 3–10 who are experiencing social, emotional, behavioral, or relational challenges.
- Tailoring interventions to the developmental stage of the child, using play therapy as a means of communication.
For Teens & Adults:
Narrative
Therapy
- Focusing on the stories individuals tell about their lives.
- Collaboratively exploring and reshaping narratives to promote positive change.
Acceptance & Commitment
- Emphasizing acceptance of thoughts and feelings.
- Encouraging commitment to values-based actions for meaningful living.
Strength-Based Approach
- Identifying and building on individual strengths, resources, and resilience.
- Shifting the focus from deficits to capabilities and positive attributes.
Internal Family Systems
- Helps us explore the different “parts” within you, like the inner voices or feelings that sometimes conflict with each other.
- By understanding these parts—whether they are protective, reactive, or vulnerable—we can create more harmony within.
