I believe that clients inherently have in them what it takes to grow and learn throughout life. However, sometimes there are roadblocks that get in the way of this naturally evolving process. Due to trauma, inadequate attachment in childhood, or missing some important experience of being protected, loved or nurtured, we learn how to be in the world by protecting ourselves from harm. From these experiences we develop core beliefs about who we are in relationship to others as a way of getting our needs met.
 
While old core beliefs help us survive in an often times unfriendly or hostile environment, they also can inhibit our full capacity to live. For example, if you did not feel loved and welcomed into the world by the first relationships in your life you may have developed insecure attachments that could impact later relationships. From these experiences, if you believe that you are essentially “unlovable” then you may allow others to disrespect you or not assert yourself in ways that would be helpful for your relationships. Or if you had a hyper-critical parent, you could have developed a strong internalized critic to protect yourself from their criticism/judgments. The unconscious belief can be, if I criticize myself first, change what I’m doing or how I’m being, then the “other” won’t have an opportunity to criticize me. These self-protective mechanisms have usually taken years to develop and can feel absolutely true.
 

In therapy we explore and discover:

• How old core belief systems and ways of being were created
• How they have both assisted and inhibited your life in certain situations
• How to choose them when appropriate instead of using them habitually in all situations
• What new ways of being can be helpful to live life more fully
• When to use these new ways of being to be more effective and fulfilled in life.
 

"Theories of how therapy works are called theoretical orientations and greatly impact what a therapist chooses to focus on in therapy."

My theoretical orientation is eclectic and includes:
 
• Psychodynamic Theory: Looks at how the first relationships in our lives have impacted how we interact in the world today

• Hakomi Body-Centered Theory: Uses mindfulness about one’s internal world (thoughts, feelings, physical sensations etc.) to shift core beliefs and provide missed emotional experiences. From this perspective, present moment felt experiences are where true healing/growth can take place versus simply analyzing something from a distance.

• RCS (Re-Creating the Self): Looks at how we can live life from a more authentic and less defended place in order to be in better alignment with our True Self.

• Cognitive behavioral : This focuses on how thoughts impact our feelings and behaviors so that even if our external environment doesn't change we can feel and act better. There are often more concrete homework assignments given for this way of looking and requires the therapist to provide more psycho-education.