MY APPROACH

I tailor my approach to the needs of each individual client, so my work with one person might look very different from my work with another. But I include here a basic description of how I work so you can get a sense of whether I might be the right therapist for you!

Humanistic/Experiential. My basic approach is informed by humanistic principles, which means that I believe people are good, and they thrive when allowed to explore how they feel in a safe, non-judgmental space. This means I pay a great deal of attention, first and foremost, to the quality of our relationship and to making sure you feel heard, felt, and safe. I will also help you to identify your emotions and learn to relate to them with compassion. Sometimes “normal” talk therapy accomplishes this. Sometimes, especially for people with a trauma history, more specialized approaches are needed, as below.

Internal Family Systems. I use Internal Family Systems (IFS), sometimes colloquially referred to as “parts work,” to help clients access the deeper layers of their psyche that need healing. This is an extremely effective way of learning to interact with yourself with more awareness, kindness, and compassion. Do you have a strong internal critic? Or have you ever found yourself saying, “I know XYZ shouldn’t bother me, but I still feel upset about it”? Do you have symptoms you don’t even understand? This approach can help you fundamentally reorganize your mental and emotional patterns to create a deep, internal sense of well-being. This approach can help everyone but it is especially suited to people with trauma histories.

EMDR. Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another approach that targets the deeper layers of the psyche. I use this approach in conjunction with IFS to help clients change deeply held negative beliefs about themselves, beliefs that are often formed as a result of childhood trauma and neglect. This is accomplished through a combination of body awareness and bilateral stimulation to help the brain process old memories more adaptively. EMDR is also very effective with single-incident traumas, like a car accident or a sexual assault. Additionally, this way of working is effective even for clients who do not want to talk directly about the trauma. I can help you reprocess it without even knowing what it is.

There is no specific approach, however, that is a substitute for a strong therapeutic relationship. Research consistently shows that a good connection between therapist and client is the best predictor of good outcomes in therapy. I will meet you where you are, listen to your goals, and check in with you regularly to make sure our work is meeting your needs. My goal is to make myself irrelevant to you. And if we determine that I am not the right fit for you, I will help you find someone who is. You deserve good support.

SPECIALIZED TRAININGS

Internal Family Systems, Level 1 (2023)

Internal Family Systems, Level 2 (2024)

EMDR Basic Training (in progress)

Janina Fisher’s Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Training, Level 1 (in progress)