Therapy Practice Models
Developmental Model of Couples Therapy
The Developmental Model of couples therapy was developed by Drs Ellyn Bader and Peter Peterson. It is a revolutionary approach that is highly adaptable to the complex needs of two people growing, changing, and staying connected in a relationship. It is natural for relationships to change as partners spend more time together and develop as a team. Struggles are not always a sign of a failing relationship. Problems and disillusionment eventually happen in almost every relationship and can shine light on a journey toward deeper intimacy and connection.
This approach to couples therapy focuses on the growth and development of each partner individually in addition to the growth and development of the couple as a unit. It incorporates Attachment Theory and Differentiation Theory, along with cutting edge research in neuroscience. It teaches the skills necessary to overcome the difficulties that are common in most relationships and deepen the love that originally brought couples together.
Some of the things you can expect to learn: How to talk about tough issues, manage conflict and stay calm in a disagreement; How to become a team player so that you and your partner can feel supported in the process; How to express your desires, dreams and fears and let your partner know you in a much more intimate way; How to become your best self and the best partner you can be; How to stay true to yourself while deepening your connection to your partner. I am a graduate of The Couples Institute.
Somatic Experiencing Therapy
Somatic Experiencing® is a body awareness approach to the healing of trauma and other stress disorders. It was developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine and founded on the realization that human beings have an innate ability to overcome the effects of trauma. The SE approach offers a framework to assess where a person is “stuck” in the fight, flight or freeze responses and provides clinical tools to resolve these fixated physiological states, which is key to transforming PTSD and the wounds of emotional and early developmental attachment trauma.
Trauma may begin as acute stress from a perceived life-threat or as the end product of cumulative stress. Both types of stress can seriously impair a person’s ability to function with resilience and ease. Trauma may result from a wide variety of stressors such as accidents, invasive medical procedures, sexual or physical assault, emotional abuse, neglect, war, natural disasters, loss, birth trauma, or the corrosive stressors of ongoing fear and conflict.
The SE approach facilitates the completion of self-protective motor responses and the release of thwarted survival energy bound in the body, thus addressing the root cause of trauma symptoms. This is approached by gently guiding clients to develop increasing tolerance for difficult bodily sensations
I am a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP).
Dynamic Attachment Re-patterning Experience (DARe)
Dynamic Attachment Re-patterning Experience (DARe) is an Attachment-based therapy developed by Dr. Diane Poole Heller. The foundation of her therapy model rests on her belief that we are designed to heal from the impact of earlier bonding deficits related to lack of safety, trust, consistency or protection to name just a few of the qualities of secure attachment that may have not been sufficiently available. Our bodies and our brains are storing memories of early experiences, creating patterns that deeply affect our relationships and our behaviors in adult life. DARe supports cultivating the capacity for healthy relationships by exploring how to compassionately free yourself from the patterns of early attachment wounds. Her holistic approach is largely based on Somatic and Relational healing techniques and provides a framework that relationally supports clients’ organic wisdom and discover a path to healing and enjoying the qualities of secure attachment.
I am a certified DARe provider for therapy as well as assisting other therapists in their certification for the DARe work.
Post Induction Therapy
The journey from infancy to adulthood is a tough one, and children need a lot of nurturing, support and direction to navigate the challenges. Parenting is also a difficult job, and for a variety of reasons, parents may not provide their children with all that is needed.
When something in childhood is not available quite enough, children will adapt to what is and is not available. While this adaptive capacity is helpful to navigate the obstacles of developmental history, those adaptations can be roadblocks to a satisfying and fulfilling adulthood.
Pia Mellody developed a therapy model that is useful in filling in the gaps and healing the wounds of what did or did not happen during childhood. Her model of Post Induction Therapy provides a roadmap for a journey of growth and healing, in which we can learn to esteem ourselves rather than being dependent upon our performance, our possessions or the perceptions of others for our sense of value.
We can Cultivate the capacity for healthy boundaries – not just physical boundaries, but emotional and intellectual boundaries as well. Post Induction Therapy also addresses Spiritual Practice, emotional regulation, relationship skills and self-care.
This therapy model has helped people move from a place of stuckness in unproductive and destructive patterns resulting in physical illness, painful relationships, chaos and addiction to a place of health, freedom and fulfillment.
I am fully trained in Post Induction Therapy and offer intensives.