How does therapy work?

Therapy works in 4 phases. In the very beginning we’re warming up and getting to know each other. As we just met, you’ll have to catch me up. We’ll make space to go over the broad strokes of your life, your situation so far, and your goals. This usually takes a few sessions: the basic foundation for the therapy.

In the next phase therapy begins. You know me a little more and feel more comfortable with our process. I also know you a little more, the more subtle, more complex you, and some parts of yourself. I’m looking for how to pivot the therapy to meet you as a unique person: more quiet processing or less, more feeling or less, more space for sorrow, more playfulness or humor, etc.. We may experiment with techniques using parts work, embodiment, mindfulness or gestalt techniques. We might explore links to culture, to oppression and privilege, or to generational history.

In the third phase, therapy is flowing. We know each other well in a therapeutic way, and we’re using that connection for deeper therapeutic work. We made contact with many parts of your life and experience in present moment. We see how they work, how they feel, where they come from. You may feel sturdier. We may know some strategies that helped and some that didn’t. You may have resolved some goals or adjusted goals to more central issues. We may explore our dynamics and connect it to your growth and healing. This can often be a very zesty and productive stage of therapy.

The final stage is our goodbye. We hold space to reflect on this chapter together, the progress made in your goals and to consider your next steps.