Integrative and Holistic Therapy

WHAT’S THE PURPOSE OF THERAPY?

 From the day we are born, our experiences, birthplace, family, education, culture, and belief system have shaped us and formed who we are today. This means that a large part of what we consider “ourselves” or “our life” has been dictated by factors and processes we are unaware of. Without awareness of this programming, our decisions may driven by influences we are not even conscious of. The more we become aware of these unconscious processes, the greater our capacity to respond differently to situation.

Now, where does this unconscious programming come from? When faced with adversity, our brain and body will adjust to it and develop ways to cope. These adaptations were often beneficial because they allowed us to navigate a threatening or unsafe environment. However, the same strategies that once helped us can become maladaptive in a different environment where there is no threat. Part of the therapeutic journey is to identify what old programming and coping mechanisms we have carried that do not work well for us anymore. I will listen and ask you about your own story so we can see what patterns emerge, which ones we need to keep or incorporate and which ones we need to let go of.

Therapy is…

Safe: Therapy is a space where you can express and explore what may feel impossible elsewhere.

Judgment-free: We all have judgments and opinions, it’s part of how the human mind operates. However, during therapy, the therapist makes a conscious effort to not engage with these types of thoughts so they don’t cloud our vision. Rest assured that this therapy practice is inclusive to all human beings.

Collaborative: There are two of us in the room, and we work together to resolve issues and achieve goals.

Compassionate: Compassion is what makes us human and allows us to engage with others. By being more compassionate as a society, we can reduce struggling; both for ourselves and for others.

HOW I APPROACH THERAPY

My approach is…

Person-centered. Our sessions are a space where you can bring up whatever you want, at your own pace. This also means we can delve into whatever is the most present for you in that moment – be it a recurring scenario that keeps replaying in your mind, an intriguing dream, or anything you have to share… I’m open to it. Remember, “Nothing human is alien to me”.

Holistic. The word heal means “to make whole”. All areas of our lives are interconnected, so when we work on one, it also affects the others. Little by little, this creates a ripple effect, and our inner system starts to come together.By integrating them, we are healing it.

Integratively. I integrate various therapeutic approaches rather than adhering to just one method. This allows me to remain flexible in our sessions, without a fixed agenda. Instead, I let the session unfold naturally, adapting to what is needed in the moment.

Trauma-informed. Trauma is the wound that a painful event leaves in us. It is a wound that limits our ability to act and express ourselves, disconnects us from ourselves, distorts our view of the world, and makes us unable to be in the present moment. Traumatic wounds are at the root of our suffering, tending to them is necessary for our healing.

Emotion-focused. Our emotions are our most reliable messengers. They guide us to our wounds, reveal our true needs, and provide us with the language to communicate authentically.

INTEGRATIVE and HOLISTIC APPROACH

What does “Holistic” mean?

A holistic approach acknowledges the connection between your mind, your body/soma and your environment, it recognizes that all areas of our life are deeply interconnected and influence each other in profound ways.

In practice, this means that I don’t see your struggles as isolated “problems”. Instead, I look at what has allowed them to develop and how they connect to other areas of your life. This involves exploring the broader context and underlying factors that play a role.

All areas of our lives are interconnected — health, relationships, career, finances, passions, culture, etc. — these aspects come together to form a system that makes you who you are. Rather than looking at and treating all these aspects as separate, I see them as connected and as one entity. By integrating them, we are making the system “whole” again and hence, healing it. 

What does “Integrative” mean?

An integrative approach means that I bring together techniques and frameworks from different therapeutic approaches and schools of thought, allowing them to complement one another according to what the situation requires.

I am very open-minded to different healing modalities, it doesn’t matter if it comes from science or ancient spiritual wisdom, what matters is the effect it has in us.

During therapy, we will…

  • Understand how past events have shaped you
  • Recognize deep-rooted patterns that keep resurfacing in your life
  • Explore how long-held beliefs and behaviors limit you
  • Differentiate between emotions (e.g. sadness), states of your nervous system (e.g. freeze), and perceptions (e.g. I feel abandoned)
  • Increase your tolerance to stay with painful emotions and stay grounded in the process
  • Learn how to regulate your emotions and nervous system
  • Learn how to communicate in a way that is authentic to you while respecting others
  • Identify your needs and learn how to meet them
  • Identify your authentic desires and learn how to follow them
  • Listen to your intuition
  • Your own suggestion

Therapeutic approaches I am inspired by

  • Holistic and Integrative therapy
  • Person-centered therapy
  • Emotion-based therapy
  • Trauma-informed therapy 
  • Compassionate Inquiry

Special focus areas

  • Connection with oneself: Identity, Self-esteem, living in alignment with one’s vocation and purpose, etc.
  • Connection with others: Relationships, Family, Friendships, etc.
  • Emotion regulation and processing
  • Traumatic Wounds: Complex and PTSD – are types of mental health conditions that can develop after experiencing chronic or single trauma
  • Migration, Expatriate and (TCK) Third Culture Kids – are People who grew up in a different culture than their parents
  • Work with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC)
  • Work with neurodivergent individuals: ADHD, Autism/Aspergers
  • Gender and Sexuality: LGBTQI+*, FLINTA*/feminism friendly
  • Alcohol-Drug and Sex Addiction
  • Coping Mechanisms
  • Creativity