What can I expect?

What is therapy, anyway? 

Collaborative – Therapy is first and foremost a relationship.  It is not the work of an expert doling out advice but rather a mutual labor on behalf of the client, who ultimately holds the key to real change.  My primary role as a therapist is to be curious with you – about the patterns that brought you to the place where you feel stuck, about who you are meant to be, about how to flourish.  Expect to work.

Holistic – Because human beings are not neatly compartmentalized, neither is therapy.  Body, mind, soul, emotion and behavior are intricately woven together to produce the fabric of how our lives are lived.  Additionally, our current patterns and future dreams are deeply steeped in our past experiences.  In therapy, we will not only discuss how you feel, think and behave but look together at the role of caring for brain, body and soul.  Expect greater health and wholeness.

Transformative – Healing is not only possible but inevitable when you lean into therapy with honesty, hope and an openness to see where the process takes you.  As your therapist, one of my ultimate privileges is to really know you and your story – which always breeds delight.  Being known is scary, can feel risky, but holds the potential for deep joy. Moreover, the work of therapy has ripple effects – impacting your intimate relationships and your particular calling in this world.  Expect to change.

I treat adult individuals and couples with a variety of concerns, including the following:

Anxiety and Depression

Perinatal mood issues

Trauma and abuse

Navigating difficult relationships

Crisis stabilization

Adjustment and transition

Grief and loss

Faith/doubt/spirituality

Life in vocational ministry

Pre-marital counseling

Marriage therapy

The technical details: I tailor treatment for each client utilizing best practice standards.  Favorite evidence-based modalities employed include: interpersonal psychotherapy, family systems, internal family systems (IFS) and EMDR.  All work is attachment and trauma informed, as well as heavily influenced by ongoing developments in neuroscience.

All of that is “therapist-speak” for the tools used to address your health holistically as noted above.  Above all, my experience confirms what research consistently shows – change that occurs through therapy is primarily a result of the alliance between therapist and client.  

For wise guidance on how to choose a therapist, see http://theallendercenter.org/2016/09/pick-therapist-1/.