Individual Therapy
In my clinical practice, I believe in the power of constructive relationships, which provide unconditional positive regard, genuineness and empathy, in promoting the well-being of individuals and society. I follow an integrative relational psychodynamic approach, which integrates cognitive-behavioral, systemic, multicultural/feminist, and experiential concepts. The relational approach sets the foundation of my interactions with my clients and facilitates the therapeutic alliance, which I believe, is the catalyst of change and healing.
To be effective therapists, we must engage in continuous self-reflection of our reactions, assumptions, and beliefs, since all human interactions are a dynamic two-way process. Thus, I consider what is happening in the therapy room and the interaction between my clients and myself as an integral part of the process.
Furthermore, problems do not occur exclusively within the individual; they emerge in a context through the interaction between internal and external influences. The meaning-making processes embedded in one’s culture and systems that make up the individual’s context are the core of psychological difficulties. In the process of change, I try to understand the meaning of my clients’ behaviors, emotions, and thoughts from a contextual perspective.
Change occurs when we embrace and experience our difficult emotions and work through them. My goal is to facilitate my clients to retell their stories with newly constructed insights and meanings, so that they integrate newly constructed behavior, emotions, and cognitions. In this realm, my role is to join my client’s experience; provide genuine curiosity in their stories; trust their capacity to gain insight and to change; and establish a safe space in which we co-construct experience.
EMDR THERAPY
“The past affects the present even without our being aware of it.”
Francine Shapiro
Trauma and adverse experiences can have a long-lasting imprint on our bodies, thoughts, and emotions. The “sore spots” we develop over the years can be out of our awareness and get activated in the most unexpected times. This might make us feel confused, ungrounded, and unsafe. With the help of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, we can identify and process through our sore spots. EMDR helps clients feel more grounded, less activated by facilitating them in integrating all the unprocessed information in the most efficient way.
EMDR sessions are twice a week and 90-minutes long. The first two sessions are the intake assessments in duration of 60-minutes. EMDR therapy typically takes 6-12 sessions. Depending on the needs and progress of the client this time would be shorter or longer.
Couples Therapy
“The self is a process, constantly constructed in moments of connection and disconnection from others.”
S. Johnson & L. Campbell, 2022
Close relationships are complicated. We start relationships with hope that we will partner in life with all of its challenges. However, both our personal patterns and our relational patterns can interfere with our relationship satisfaction. This may result in resentment, disappointment, and overall dissatisfaction with our lives. I facilitate my clients to identify patterns in their relationship, improve their ways of communication, and find ways to experience a more fulfilling relationship. I am particularly interested in facilitating my clients to preserve their sense of self, “I”, while developing a “We".
In some cases, couples might find themselves at a crossroads to decide what they would like to do with their relationship. Making a decision about continuing or ending a relationship can also be challenging. Couples therapy can also help with making a decision about your relationship.
Couples Therapy process is multileveled. First, I meet with the couple an initial session to understand their unique relationship dynamics, challenges, and goals. Then I meet 1-on-1 session with each partner in order to get a good sense of their unique perspective and personal background. Afterwards, I meet with couples usually once a week.