Person-Centered Therapy is a non-directive approach based upon the idea that you are an expert on you, and that my role as the therapist is not to tell you what to do, but to trust that you already have that knowledge within yourself. When I do employ more directive approaches in the therapy session, I try to do so in a way that is non-judgmental and trusts your innate wisdom.

Empathy, unconditional positive regard, and an emphasis on the importance of the client-therapist relationship are also important hallmarks of person-centered therapy.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is “a psychotherapy treatment that is designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories”, according to the EMDR Institute. Through bilateral stimulation (usually eye movement or tapping), traumatic memories are reprocessed and the meanings/beliefs associated with these events are transformed. EMDR is unique as the client does not have to talk about the disturbing content of a memory in order for it to be effective.

SAFE EMDR brings more awareness to the somatic (ie, body-based) aspects of the trauma reprocessing, as well as how early attachment patterns impact our beliefs about self, our relationships, and our protective/survival strategies.

I completed my SAFE EMDR Level I training in 2019.

Both mindfulness and compassion-focused approaches can help invite more awareness into our present experience, and teach us skills for naming our emotions and sensations. In a society that tends to emphasize achievement and perfectionism (and consequently, anxiety!), techniques like mindfulness and self-compassion can be a helpful antidote. It can also help us be more clear about what we need in the moment.

Being able to work with all emotions as allies vs. foes is often an important part of the therapeutic journey. When we learn to listen to what our emotions might be trying to communicate to us (vs. trying to make them go away), we will start to have a clearer idea about what we need and what direction to take.

As an IFS-informed therapist, I will often utilize these concepts to help clients get to know the various protective and wounded parts of themselves, which formed in response to a difficult situation or trauma from the past. Rather than fight against these parts, we practice approaching them with curiosity and compassion.

Sometimes words are not enough, and bringing creative expression into the therapy session can help a client access emotions, thoughts, and memories in a unique way.

You do not need to be an artist to benefit from this type of therapy.