MY METHODOLOGY
In research and in practice, I have learned that exploring and processing difficulties from the past, specifically childhood - whether direct or ambient - can significantly reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, relationship conflicts, and burnout.
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I use evidence-based, therapeutic traditions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), ​Person-Centered Therapy, and Bibliotherapy with a focus on Emotional Intelligence, Self-Compassion, and Inner Child Work.
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The integration of these approaches helps with increasing self-awareness to connect your past with your present and increasing self-compassion to validate and normalize your experiences.
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Who can benefit? Clients who dealt with the following or similar experiences in childhood:
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Feeling unimportant, unheard, alone, disconnected, unseen, or pressured to achieve/be perfect
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Placed in a parent role - taking care of the parents/caregivers, other adults, or siblings physically or emotionally
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Caregivers avoiding problems and sweeping things under the rug
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Direct physical, verbal, and emotional abuse and/or witnessing a family member being abused
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Parents who dealt with infidelity and/or are separated and divorced
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Caregivers who were physically present but not emotionally present due to other concerns like depression, anxiety, or overworking
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Caregivers or family members with substance abuse issues, like alcoholism
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Caregivers or family members who argued
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Having an absent parent due to death, abandonment, or imprisonment
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely practiced form of psychotherapy that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is a goal-oriented and practical approach that aims to help individuals identify and change patterns of thinking and behavior that are causing them difficulties, and thus alleviate emotional distress. CBT has been found effective in treating various mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is considered evidence-based and is widely used in individual and group therapy settings.
Person-Centered Therapy, also known as client-centered therapy or Rogerian therapy, is a form of psychotherapy developed by the psychologist Carl Rogers in the mid-20th century. It is a humanistic approach that emphasizes the importance of the individual's subjective experience and self-actualization. The ultimate goal of PCT is to promote personal growth. I often use the components of Unconditional Positive Regard and Empathy to create a non-judgement environment where you can feel heard, seen, and valued. It is widely used in various counseling and therapeutic settings and has influenced many other therapeutic approaches.
Inner Child Work is a therapeutic approach that involves addressing and healing the emotional and psychological wounds that individuals may have experienced during their childhood. The concept is based on the idea that unresolved issues from early life—such as neglect, abandonment, emotional invalidation, or abuse—can continue to shape a person's emotions, behaviors, and relationships well into adulthood.
This approach is especially valuable for individuals living with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), a condition often resulting from prolonged or repeated interpersonal trauma, typically during childhood. Unlike single-incident PTSD, C-PTSD is marked by chronic feelings of shame, emotional dysregulation, difficulty trusting others, and a persistent negative self-view.​​
Inner Child Work helps individuals with C-PTSD reconnect with and reparent the wounded parts of themselves, fostering self-compassion, emotional resilience, and the ability to form healthier relationships. Through this process, clients often begin to break long-standing patterns rooted in survival mechanisms developed early in life, making room for authentic healing and personal growth.
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Key aspects of Inner Child Work include:
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Identification of the Inner Child: The "inner child" represents the emotional and vulnerable part of a person that retains memories and feelings from childhood experiences.
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Exploration of Childhood Experiences: Clients engage in self-reflection to explore and understand their past experiences, particularly those that may have been painful or traumatic. This often involves revisiting memories, acknowledging emotions, and recognizing the impact of early experiences on current behavioral patterns.
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Healing and Reparenting: Inner Child Work aims to provide the care, support, and nurturing that may have been lacking during childhood. This process often involves "reparenting" the inner child by offering comfort, understanding, and love to oneself.
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Integration: The ultimate goal of Inner Child Work is to integrate the healed aspects of the inner child with the adult self. This integration can lead to greater self-awareness, emotional resilience, and healthier relationships.
Therapeutic Techniques: this work can be facilitated through various tools such as guided imagery, visualization, and journaling.
Inner Child Work is utilized in formal therapy settings and self-help or personal development practices. It is seen as a way to promote self-compassion, address patterns of self-sabotage, and foster emotional healing.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence refers to a set of skills related to the understanding, recognition, management, and use of emotions. It involves both understanding one's own emotions and the emotions of others, and using this understanding to navigate social situations, make decisions, and build positive relationships.
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The main components of Emotional Intelligence include:
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Self-Awareness: The ability to recognize and understand one's own emotions, including their impact on thoughts and behavior.
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Self-Regulation: The capacity to manage and regulate one's own emotions, impulses, and reactions.
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Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others from a place of compassion and validation.
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Social Skills: individuals who are attuned to their own emotions and the emotions of those around them, use effective communication, build healthy relationships, successfully resolve conflicts, and are capable of working collaboratively or interdependently with others.
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Developing Emotional Intelligence involves self-awareness, empathy training, and ongoing practice in recognizing and managing emotions.
Bibliotherapy is a therapeutic approach that involves the use of literature, including books, poetry, or other written materials, as a means of promoting emotional and psychological well-being. It is a form of self-help or guided reading that aims to assist individuals in understanding and addressing personal challenges, gaining insights, and fostering personal growth.
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Key aspects of bibliotherapy include:
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Book Selection: The therapist or client may choose books that are relevant to the specific concerns or issues the client is facing.
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Reading Process: Clients read the selected material either independently or with the guidance of a therapist.
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Reflection: After reading, individuals reflect on the material and how it relates to their own experiences, thoughts, and emotions.
Bibliotherapy is versatile and can be used in various therapeutic settings, including individual counseling, group therapy, or as a self-help tool.