Welcome, I’m so glad you’re here
“the thing about blooming is that nothing about the process is easy. it requires every part of you to stretch upward, with your roots firmly planted in the ground; and in the sun, and in the rain, and wind, you stand anyway, even against the pull of the soil. and through it all, one day you will see all along you were transforming.” -Morgan Harper Nichols
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Experiential Dynamic Therapy: What's the difference?
Would you rather describe a sunset or experience it ? Of course therapy also involves talking about painful experiences and tougher emotions, but what if I told you that the more we befriend and experience undesirable feelings, the better we are able to feel joy, love, excitement, and loving connection to ourselves and others..
Experiential dynamic therapy is different than many widely practiced therapies. Instead of focusing on cognitions (your thoughts), experiential therapy will help you develop cognitive awareness, experience your emotions as fully as possible, and observe internal forces that block this from happening.
Our emotions tell us what we want and need and what is bad for us. Emotions also connect us to our authentic self, and foster connection with others. When we aren’t in touch with our emotions, we are using defenses. Defenses exist for a reason. They may have helped you for a time, but are now getting in your way. Without access to our core emotions, we bounce between using defenses that aren’t effective or experience symptoms, mood disturbances, and negative thinking patterns as a result.
Many therapies lack a framework to address unconscious defenses. This requires moment to moment observation by the therapist which can intensify treatment. The way I practice is trauma-informed. We will start out slowly, build your capacity, and create an environment that feels safe from within.
Through experiential therapy you will learn to balance your emotions with your thoughts. You will be able to feel your feelings without them over taking you, and you will be able to think clearly in ways that still allow for our emotions to be present. Your vitality will emerge, and your nervous system will be more at ease.
(the specific variation of experiential dynamic therapy I am trained in is called ISTDP, please see the about page for further info)
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Please see below for more of what guides my approach
Pillars of my practice
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Psychodynamic
Your whole story matters, and so does our relationship. We will build trust and examine what develops in the room between us as a way to understand what happens for you in other relationships. We acknowledge that much of what holds us back is an unconscious process . Our work together will illuminate what has been hidden from view.
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Mindfulness Based
Mindfulness is the foundation that allows us observe ourselves and our experiences closely and accurately. Developing mindfulness helps with emotional regulation, decision making, and stress response. This could look like using meditations in session, or simply developing the skill of pausing to observe in the here and now.
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Self-Compassion
We do not heal by shaming ourselves. We need to face our challenges with self-compassion so that we can let go and create lasting change. Self compassion is not merely looking on the bright side or avoiding negative feelings. Rather, this is a skill and inner wisdom to be developed. Self compassion is backed by science and linked to reduced anxiety and depression.
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Mind-Body Integration
We will be paying close attention to what arises in your body as emotions come to the surface, and what gets in the way. Part of what makes therapy effective is for you to be able to experience and untangle your emotions which is easier said than done. If you have tried talk therapy before and had temporary relief only to have symptoms or patterns return, than experiential, emotionally-focused therapy may help you create lasting change.