“In truth, we cannot avoid the particular and run to the general and still have heart. We cannot avoid the loose stitch in our wound and run to the suffering of humanity and still have compassion. We cannot avoid the knots in our relationships and run to the broken net of social justice and still keep our care intact. Only by diving down into our own humanity, troubled and tangled as it may be, can we strengthen life on Earth.”
Mark Nepo, “Drinking from the River of Light: The Life of Expression”
I believe that some of us are suffering because no one ever taught us that we have a choice not to. While experiencing pain is a part of the human experience, long term suffering does not have to be. Life brings with it a rich and vast set of experiences which can include complex and confusing family dynamics, navigating relationships, death of a loved one or an animal, an end of a relationship or friendship and existential questions around who we are, what our purpose(s) are in life and why we matter. For some people these existential questions and the emotions that accompany them have come closer to awareness in the face of climate change.
Often these experiences can invoke anxiety in the body and emotions such as sadness, anger, depression, bitterness and loneliness. When we are presented with options to grow from these experiences, moving forward can often feel intimidating, confusing and lonely or leave us "lost", "stuck", "spinning our wheels" or just defeated. This is where I can come in.
Evidence based studies continue to reveal that Psychodynamic Psychotherapy or "depth therapy/talk therapy" is beneficial for the following areas:
Self-Awareness: One of the main goals of talk therapy is to increase self-awareness and understanding of the influence of the past on present behavior. This involves understanding patterns that have evolved over time and the defenses used to manage distress.
Understanding and Changing Complex, Deep-Seated Patterns: Over the course of therapy a person can begin to see how certain patterns of behavior initially developed as a way to cope, but may no longer be beneficial in their current life.
Improved Relationship Patterns: With a greater understanding of behavior and motivations, individuals can begin to improve their relationships by breaking out of dysfunctional patterns.
Emotional Regulation: Therapy can help an individual manage and express feelings more effectively, and become comfortable with the range of their emotions.
Symptom Relief: While Psychodynamic therapy focuses on understanding symptoms rather than just alleviating them, symptom relief is still an important outcome. This relief comes from addressing the root cause of the symptom.
Improved Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence: As individuals better understand themselves and start addressing their fundamental emotional and psychological needs, they often experience an increase in self-esteem and self-confidence.
Resilience: The personal insights that are discovered in therapy can help individuals better navigate future challenges and stressors.
I would like for you to use your experiences from our sessions and incorporate them into your own life allowing for you to find greater clarity in the actions you take. My intention is for you to feel safe with me in our sessions so that you can get the most out of our time together during this process. Making the decision to begin therapy is a brave one and one that requires a curious and patient approach to yourself and the process. If anything I have said here resonates with you, please contact me. I look forward to meeting you.