I apply a variety of counseling and psychotherapy approaches and adapt the strategy to fit the needs of each of my clients. I've found several highly effective methods: Psychodynamic Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Trauma-Informed Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and I apply them while working with my clients.

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy is an approach to therapy that focuses on understanding the unconscious processes and dynamics that influence a person's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It draws heavily from the work of Sigmund Freud and his psychoanalytic theories. In psychodynamic psychotherapy, the therapist and client work together to explore and uncover the underlying causes of psychological distress, often rooted in early life experiences and unconscious conflicts. The therapist helps the client gain insight into these unconscious patterns and works towards resolving them through the therapeutic relationship.

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy involves various techniques, such as free association, dream analysis, and interpretation of transference and resistance. Applying the free association technique encourages clients to speak freely and express their thoughts and feelings without censorship. Dream analysis involves exploring dreams' symbolism and hidden meanings to shed light on unconscious desires and conflicts. Transference occurs when the client unconsciously transfers feelings and expectations onto the therapist, reflecting patterns from past relationships. By analyzing these dynamics, the therapist helps the client develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships, leading to personal growth and psychological healing.

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy is often long-term and aims to create lasting changes by addressing the root causes of psychological distress rather than just managing symptoms.

Narrative Therapy is an approach to therapy that focuses on the stories and narratives individuals construct about their lives and experiences. It recognizes that people shape their identities and make meaning through storytelling. In Narrative Therapy, the therapist works collaboratively with the client to explore and deconstruct unhelpful or limiting narratives and co-create new, empowering narratives that promote healing and growth.

Stories can be a powerful negative or positive influence on how people see themselves and their lives. I collaborate with clients to empower them to step away from problem-saturated or oppressive stories and explore untold stories where their intentions, hopes, values, desires, and dreams can thrive.

Narrative Therapy helps the client externalize their problems, viewing them as separate entities rather than defining aspects of their identity. By externalizing the problem, the client gains distance and objectivity, allowing for a fresh perspective and the possibility of change. The therapist encourages the client to examine the cultural and societal influences that shape their narratives and challenges the dominant narratives that may be oppressive or restrictive.

Through the therapeutic process, clients gain a deeper understanding of their stories and develop alternative narratives that align with their values, strengths, and aspirations. This process involves exploring alternative interpretations, identifying exceptions to the problem, and amplifying moments of resilience and resourcefulness. By reconstructing their narratives, clients can reclaim their agency, rewrite their life stories, and create more fulfilling and meaningful lives. Narrative Therapy is typically brief and solution-focused, emphasizing the client's strengths and ability to rewrite their narratives.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a psycho-social intervention that aims to improve mental health. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on challenging and changing unhelpful cognitive distortions and behaviors, improving emotional regulation, and developing personal coping strategies to solve current problems. CBT is a proven approach I apply to assist clients in recovering from trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a short-term, goal-oriented therapeutic approach that connects thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is based on the idea that our thoughts and beliefs influence our emotions and behaviors, and by identifying and modifying negative or distorted thinking patterns, we can improve our psychological well-being.

In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the therapist and client work collaboratively to identify and challenge maladaptive thoughts and beliefs contributing to distressing emotions and problematic behaviors. The therapist helps the client become aware of automatic negative thoughts and helps them evaluate the evidence supporting or refuting those thoughts. By examining the underlying assumptions and beliefs, clients can gain a more realistic and balanced perspective.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy also involves developing and implementing coping strategies and behavioral techniques. Clients learn relaxation exercises, problem-solving techniques, and behavioral activation skills to modify their behaviors and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy aims to equip clients with practical cognitive and behavioral skills that they can apply outside the therapy session to manage their difficulties and achieve their goals. CBT has been widely used to treat various mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, and substance abuse.

Gestalt Therapy is an existential or experiential form of counseling or therapy that emphasizes personal responsibility and the experience in the present moment. The Gestalt approach explores the present moment for the client in the therapist-client relationship, their environment, and the social contexts in the client's life. Exploring clients' self-regulating adjustments to adapt and respond to their life situations is a core element of Gestalt therapy.

Gestalt psychotherapy is an experiential and holistic approach to therapy that promotes self-awareness, personal growth, and the integration of mind, body, and emotions. It emphasizes the present moment and the importance of exploring and experiencing one's thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the here and now.

In Gestalt Psychotherapy, the therapist and client work together to bring awareness to the client's thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and patterns of behavior and interaction with others. The therapist helps the client better understand their own experiences and how they may avoid or interrupt their growth and fulfillment.

Gestalt Therapy often uses experiential techniques, such as role-playing, guided imagery, and creative expression, to help clients gain insight and integrate different aspects of themselves. The therapist encourages clients to take responsibility for their own experiences and supports them in exploring unresolved past issues, unfinished business, and unexpressed emotions.

Gestalt Therapy aims to help individuals develop a more authentic and satisfying way of being, enabling them to live fully in the present moment, engage in healthy relationships, and make choices that align with their values and desires.

Mindfulness-based psychotherapy is an approach to therapy that incorporates principles and practices of mindfulness into the therapeutic process. It integrates mindfulness techniques, such as meditation, breathing exercises, and body awareness, with traditional psychotherapy methods to promote self-awareness, acceptance, and emotional well-being.

In mindfulness-based psychotherapy, the therapist encourages clients to cultivate a non-judgmental and present-centered awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. By paying attention to the present moment without attachment or aversion, clients develop a greater understanding of their inner experiences and can respond to them with increased clarity and compassion.

The therapist may guide clients through mindfulness exercises and teach them how to bring mindfulness into their daily lives. This can help clients develop skills for managing stress, anxiety, depression, and other psychological challenges. Mindfulness-based approaches often draw from mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), which have been researched and applied to various mental health conditions.

Mindfulness-based psychotherapy emphasizes self-compassion and acceptance, helping clients cultivate a non-judgmental attitude towards their experiences and develop a more compassionate relationship with themselves. It can also assist individuals in exploring and transforming negative thought patterns, enhancing self-awareness, and promoting resilience.

By integrating mindfulness practices into therapy, individuals can learn to relate to their thoughts and emotions in a more mindful and balanced way, fostering greater well-being, emotional regulation, and personal growth.

Client-Centred Therapy is a process of freeing a person and removing obstacles so that healthy growth and development can proceed and the client can become independent and self-directed. The Client-Centred approach to therapy operates with the assumption that we are all positive, caring, and trustworthy. I apply the concept of unconditional positive regard, and all clients, no matter the problem, can improve without being taught anything specific by the therapist once they respect themselves. All the resources lie within the client.