Why talk therapy?
Psychotherapy aims at creating lasting life changes. Most people typically seek therapy when they have tried repeatedly and unsuccessfully to change something in their lives that is painful, unwanted, or no longer working. This may be a relationship pattern, an inability to enjoy one’s life, a feeling of spiritual crisis, or an inability to pursue one's dreams despite a sincere desire to do so, to name a few examples. One of the things I often hear is:
"I truly don't want to do X anymore, but no matter what I do, I seem to be stuck in a pattern."
This occurs because our typical ways of relating, reacting, and behaving are often so ingrained that they happen automatically with very little conscious awareness. This habitual way of relating to the world can cause much distress and often makes it seem as if there are no other options available. This isn’t the case though. We typically have many more choices available to us than we are aware of.
Psychotherapy is about hitting the pause button and working toward greater self-awareness so that you can explore and discover your personal values and desires and begin making conscious choices in line with those values and wishes. It is about undoing much of what you have been conditioned to believe is “right” and instead mindfully choosing with intention the person you would like to be in the world. It is about making a commitment to know all parts of yourself (even the shadow parts) so that you are not living in denial and working your “stuff” out on people around you. It is about slowing down enough to break old patterns by recognizing new choices available to you through greater self-reflection.
My role is to help broaden your awareness of painful patterns in your life that may be inhibiting joy, progress, and love so that you can move through them. I do this by providing a consistent, unbiased presence and by paying close attention to your particular life story—noticing the details, the repetitive patterns, your relationship history, your desires, where you are trying to please others but not acting in line with your own values, and all of the other intricate complexities specific to your life. We will look at all aspects of your being—your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual life—as we explore where you are struggling or feeling stuck.