MY APPROACH
Here I give an overview of my action-oriented, experiential therapeutic approaches and some specific examples of how it could show up in our sessions.
Less Thinking and More Feeling, Sensing, and Being
Of course we will still sit and talk! But in addition to me asking clarifying questions, empathically listening, reflecting, affirming, and supporting your cognitive understanding and insight, I will utilize experiential tools that bring your whole self — mind, heart, body, and spirit — into the dialogue.
Through these experiential, action-oriented methods that utilize movement and imagination (the body), we'll move passed the logical, judgmental gatekeeper (the mind) and sink into the wise, expansive agent (the heart), where real, lasting transformation occurs.
While I explain these different modalities separately here for clarity, all of these techniques work together beautifully and I often weave them into one another. Additionally, if one of these modalities resonate with you more, that's what we're going to focus on.
EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY
WHAT IS IT?
Expressive Arts Therapy utilizes drama, movement, music, writing, poetry, dance, drawing, and more to facilitate healing. The emphasis is on the process, rather than the product, of artistic creation and expression. Participants uncover insightful information about their thoughts, feelings, and sensations by exploring their responses and reactions during and after an expressive art process.
In particular, I am most passionate about Drama Therapy, an active, experiential approach to facilitating individual and collective change. Through role play, metaphoric exploration, dramatic ritual, purposeful improvisation, and performance, participants are invited to rehearse desired behaviors, rewrite inner narratives, practice being in relationship, expand and find flexibility between life roles, and perform the change they wish to be and see in the world.
HOW MIGHT IT SHOW UP IN SESSION?
Spontaneously or planned together, I may invite you to:
Express and clarify complex feelings with colors and images on paper.
Interact with parts of self or external relationships through written prompts.
Embody poses and postures that hold qualities or emotions you wish to express, integrate, or shed.
Explore and repair influential experiences from childhood through safely enacted scenes.
These are just a few examples. If any of this sounds scary, please rest assured that I will never pressure you to do anything you don't want to! You may also be surprised by your deep well of creativity and enjoy the process much more than fear expected.
MINDFULNESS MEDITATION
WHAT IS IT?
Mindfulness is the process of bringing one's attention to experiences occurring in the present moment. The emphasis is on directly noticing and experiencing thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment or alteration. Participants are invited to turn off their critical mind and sink into their heart and body to learn what is really present rather than what story we are telling ourselves.
Meditation is the process of directing one's attention to an object or experience in our mind's eye. Using the power of attention and imagination, participants may uncover or influence their felt experience, gain deeper insights, and expand their ability to be present with what is.
HOW MIGHT IT SHOW UP IN SESSION?
Spontaneously or planned together, I may invite you to:
Explore what physical sensations are present while you recall a memory.
Examine a limiting belief through a meditative guided reflection.
Slow down and create space by taking intentional breaths.
Elicit a supportive feeling or sensation through guided visualization.
Many mindfulness meditation techniques are tools you can take outside of the session. My therapeutic guidance provides support and practice so you may utilize the methods when you need them.
NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION
WHAT IS IT?
Nonviolent Communication, also known as NVC and Compassionate Communication, is a process of interpersonal (and intrapersonal) communication designed to improve empathetic connection with self and other. The foundational assumptions are that all humans share the same universal needs, that conflicts arise when the strategies for meeting needs clash, and that through compassionate sharing, listening, and requests we can meet our needs together.
Like any tool, NVC techniques may be used to help or harm. Essential to the process is holding the intention to act out of peace, responsibility, choice, and shared power.
HOW MIGHT IT SHOW UP IN SESSION?
Spontaneously or planned together, I may invite you to:
Identify what needs may be evoking your feelings and judgments by examining a list of universal human needs.
Empathically guess what needs may be driving the behaviors of someone you're in relationship with.
Consider additional strategies that could meet your needs better.
Practice confronting someone you have a conflict with with curiosity, kindness, and honesty.
This style of communication and intention of being may come quick or take time to integrate. The guidance and practice in-session are invaluable towards this learning, and I often give resourceful print-outs to support your progress out of the office.