Parenting
As a parent, you know you love your child more than anything and would do anything for them. You've read all the books and searched the internet, trying to make sure that you "get it right", but nothing prepared you for the really hard moments. You know which ones I'm talking about. The ones where you become flooded with emotions including fear, confusion, desperation, and hopelessness.
If you are feeling this way, you are not alone. As a parent myself, I understand just how overwhelming this can be. In our work together we will explore what is happening for you in these moments, and we will improve your ability to stay present and navigate these difficult situations.
If you are feeling this way, you are not alone. As a parent myself, I understand just how overwhelming this can be. In our work together we will explore what is happening for you in these moments, and we will improve your ability to stay present and navigate these difficult situations.
Trauma and Attachment
Trauma and attachment wounds can affect us in a number of ways. We may feel bad about ourselves and have low self-esteem. We may struggle with trust and have difficulties in our relationships. We may be plagued with perfectionism and a harsh inner critic.
All of these experiences lead to loneliness and isolation, keeping us trapped in a vicious cycle we can't escape.
In counseling, my initial focus is on building trust in the therapeutic relationship. I will teach you about how trauma and attachment wounds impact your nervous system, and will help you build compassion and curiosity towards yourself. Then, we will utilize a number of skills to help you change your relationship with yourself and your traumatic past.
All of these experiences lead to loneliness and isolation, keeping us trapped in a vicious cycle we can't escape.
In counseling, my initial focus is on building trust in the therapeutic relationship. I will teach you about how trauma and attachment wounds impact your nervous system, and will help you build compassion and curiosity towards yourself. Then, we will utilize a number of skills to help you change your relationship with yourself and your traumatic past.
Survival Strategies
My approach to counseling recognizes that a number of mental health related issues develop as a strategy for survival. What this means is that, at some point in your life, your nervous system believed you were in danger and you had no resources to cope (how ingenious!). To survive these moments, you developed a quick and efficient strategy. While these strategies have likely been effective in coping with the initial stressor, they have also likely created other problems in your life. Such strategies include eating disorders, substance use disorders, suicidal ideation, dissociative disorders, self-harm, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorders, and more.
I utilize parts work (also known as Internal Family Systems) to help you explore how these strategies allowed you to survive during moments of overwhelm, and to help you develop curiosity and compassion toward yourself. Further, I will help you to develop safer strategies for surviving these moments.
I utilize parts work (also known as Internal Family Systems) to help you explore how these strategies allowed you to survive during moments of overwhelm, and to help you develop curiosity and compassion toward yourself. Further, I will help you to develop safer strategies for surviving these moments.