OUR SPECIALIZATIONS
Conversations on the Role of Therapy in Life Experiences
In this discussion, we respond to questions on areas of common interest to our clients.
Depression and Anxiety
How can depression and anxiety impact us?
Depression causes folx to slow down, feel sad, unmotivated, lack energy and interest in daily life activities including tasks they once enjoyed. Depression can also induce lethargy, affect eating and sleep patterns, increased irritability and tendency to isolate leading to strain on family and professional relationships.
Anxiety speeds up experiences in the body that leads to a feeling of lack of control. For example anxiety can present as racing thoughts, shallow breath and difficulty concentrating among other symptoms.
How can therapy help?
Both anxiety and depression cause folx to avoid and isolate sometimes exacerbating symptoms by doing so. Understanding and identifying historical causes of emotional distress and then developing individualized ways of utilizing the connections with the past to develop ways of managing current symptoms can reduce the intensity of the emotional experiences.
Trauma
What kind of experiences are identified as trauma?
We consider all experiences that have a lasting and adverse impact as trauma. Experiences associated with being a refugee or immigrant, discrimination and oppression of marginalized identities, trauma passed down generations, relational conflicts that have adverse and insidious long-term impact, and unwanted sexual experiences can all fall under this category.
How does therapy help one in dealing with trauma?
Trauma presents differently in people. Recognizing all the dimensions and impact of trauma is a slow and sometimes overwhelming journey. Processing distressing experiences at a measured pace with a trusted professional can help create distance from the disempowering cruelty of trauma and allow folx to focus on developing ways to care for themselves while re-evaluating their story on more empowering terms. Learning to understand and manage the nervous system is also a key part of trauma work. While traumatic experiences can feel disempowering, therapy can help reframe stories and restore agency.
Relationships
Is there a pattern by which we form relationships?
Yes. Childhood relationships and attachment patterns create a framework through which folx navigate future relationships and understand their worth in the world. Additionally, the way people connect to others is informed by family values, communication styles and cultural norms.
Is it possible to change the pattern by which we form relationships?
Although early relationships inform existing patterns, it is possible, through therapy, to recognize patterns that are no longer helpful and intervene to change outcomes.
Relationships and attachments can be addressed in different ways in therapy. One way is by attending to the dynamics between client and therapist. Through the relationship with your therapist you can explore your feelings as they occur in session, map the history of similar emotional content earlier in life, and find connections. Your therapist can also guide you through managing haunting feeling states, thereby freeing you to have an increased capacity to speak through feelings that occur in current relationships. By the same means you can develop awareness of the way you communicate with others and can build skills to express your needs effectively.
Challenges in several relationships can be attended to in therapy. These include family of origin, in-laws, partners’ relationships, and colleagues. You learn to hone communication skills, master emotions and thoughts and identify personal needs. The disruptions you face in any of your relationships may re-occur in therapy and can be disentangled and examined.
Acculturation
What is acculturation?
Acculturation is a process of cultural transition.
How can this process impact my well-being?
Acculturation can impact mood, motivation, concentration, stress, sleep, and an individuals relationship with themselves and others. Examining the intricacies of this adjustment can validate the intensity of the experience and guide individuals to get the support they need to reduce the harmful impact of acculturation on themselves and their relationships.
How can therapy help in dealing with adjustment?
The intensity of adjustment can vary depending on several factors, including social support, financial stability, access to resources, physical location, and privileged or marginalized identities. In therapy folx can receive guidance as they grieve the past, understand their disappointment and exploring differences in expectations and value systems. An evaluation and validation of grief and all its treacherous parts creates space for clarity and and can make room for individuals to understand and validate their current lived experience. Moreover, engaging in grief and value system informed work also helps individuals think through how to meaningfully connect with their current world.
Parenthood
How can therapy help persons experiencing difficulties in the role of parenthood?
Being a parent or a guardian requires individuals to have multiple roles and wear different hats. Sometimes, traditional expectations, pressure from the work place, impostor syndrome, experiences of sexism or stigma associated with single parenthood can absorb peoples energy and limit their ability to live freely. Therapy can be used to navigate convoluted and limiting expectations, clarify values and priorities and redefine parenthood as best suits each individual.
Healing isn’t just about working through challenges—it’s also about finding sustainable ways to care for yourself.
We’ll work together to create a personalized system of restoration and self-care that aligns with your values.