Couples and Family Therapy
From my experience, Communication seems to be the crux of the issue in relationship. I will teach you how to communicate so that you both feel heard and as a result feel closer. Communication involves acceptance, personal responsibility and choosing words that express how you are feeling carefully. Our words are a reflection of how feel inside and how we feel about others. The other important ingredient involves listening and really hearing each other. So often in relationships we don’t feel understood or cared about, this is usually a result of each is absorbed with their own pain they are unable hold their pain and care about their partner at the same time. In couples and family therapy I use a combination of communication theory and Gestalt Therapy to facilitate self-awareness and teach communication which results in having more intimacy, closeness and a better relationship.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy is really about taking the time to understand, explore and accept yourself. Through self awareness we can know ourselves better, communicate more effectively, make better choices and feel more connected. Either concurrent with couples therapy or in lieu of, individual therapy is very effective at processing through unfinished business from the past, and as a result living more in the present without the reactivity of the past. Individual therapy allows a person to explore their inner world and make better sense of it. You will gain self acceptance vs. self judgment, self support vs. self doubt, understanding vs. confusion, communication vs. conflict. When we feel better inside, consequently, our outside world is better.
Anxiety and Depression
Many times anxiety/depression and relationship problems go hand in hand. Each exacerbating the other, and can even feed on each other. The world we live in is moving so quickly and we are bombarded with sensory overload, no wonder we feel anxious and depressed and disconnected or lonely. Unfortunately, we think we are the only ones that are trying to cope with these issues. Most people struggle at some time in their life with relationship problems, depression and/or anxiety. Because I have struggled with depression, anxiety and trauma in my own life I can understand your experience and guide you to a more content and peaceful life. Taking the time to explore your experience and understanding how and what you are going through allows you to find your own answers and be your own expert. We will work with a combination of Gestalt therapy, Mindfulness, Polyvagal breathing exercises, and cognitive behavioral techniques to help get you there.
Meditation Training
Multiple studies have proven that Meditation can profoundly treat depression and anxiety, health issues as well as overall well being. Meditation training teaches an individual how to discipline and train their brain. For most of us, our brains are like wild animals roaming the jungle. In fact, it probably never occurred to you that you can and may find positive results in your life by training your mind. I know it did not occur to me until I experienced it for myself. Our thoughts can and do dictate our feelings and behaviors. Meditation, is really about getting to know your mind, and then learning how to keep the constant thoughts as background or white noise and ultimately quieting the mind altogether. This allows one to use the mind in a more focused effective way for problem solving in the moment, rather than obsessing on the past or worrying about the future. This disciplined mind also is much more present in our relationships. A disciplined mind usually results in better behavior choices, and thus more peaceful relationships, better health, and an overall more peaceful state of being.
