EMBODIMENT
Living life informed through the sense experience of the body. Our bodies are our first lived experience in the world before words.
Our experiences both pleasant and unpleasant are implicitly held there through memory, thus exploration through an embodied approach can be an essential element of change.
GESTALT
The here and now gives us everything we need. You will be gently encouraged not just to talk about your emotions and experience but bring them into the room through different methods to be processed in real time with me.
MINDFULNESS
“Paying attention on purpose, in the present without judgement, to things as they are with curiosity and kindness” Jon Kabot-Zinn
Self awareness and insight develop through exploration of thoughts, sensations, emotions, urges and actions as they arise in the present moment. The wisdom of the body becomes unlocked. The breath, senses and movement can support our ability to stay in this place to deepen the exploration and enhance the healing.
My Approach
PSYCHODYNAMIC
“The cry we hear from deep in our hearts comes from the wounded child within. Healing this pain is the key” Thich Nhat Han
Our past conditioning shows up in the present in repeating patterns of reactivity. By exploring the past and seeing how this plays out in the present there can be freedom for the wounded child within us and an unlocking of reactive habitual patterns.
SOMATIC
Trauma occurs as a result of multiple situations from a car crash to a physical attack. The body tries to help us by disassociating from the experience and freezing, especially if we are stuck in the situation and cannot move or escape. It shuts down and shuts off the part of the body experiencing the pain. This can mean the memory of the experience and physical pain and desired movement can get entangled in our bodies. We may feel parts of our body and even memory of the experience are fragmented, lost or confused. We may even unknowingly have a posture or stance that accommodates the stuck part. Working in a somatic way observing the movements of the body and internal experience helps unlock the trauma and re-integrate the body.
PERSON CENTRED
“When the other person is hurting, confused, troubled, anxious, alienated, terrified; or when he or she is doubtful of self-worth, uncertain as to identify, then understanding is called for. The gentle and sensitive companionship of an empathic stance…provides illumination and healing” Carl Rogers
Empathy, acceptance and authenticity will be at the core of our relationship as you lead us on your exploration