Let’s change the narrative about Mental Health and Wellness. Together we can make it a less challenging environment, for ourselves and the people close to us.
A look into my treatment philosophy.
The Whole Person
When treating individuals, families, or couples, it is essential to learn about the whole person, not just the surface or the “obvious”. Looking at the person’s present life, family and culture, and life experiences can give the therapist insight into the whole person. But it goes beyond even that! Looking at every aspect of the client helps the therapist to understand their choices, and without judgement, help them reach their current goals.
Systems Theory
Whether it is mechanical parts, humans, or animals, all systems operate with basic principals. What does this mean to therapy? One person is not the problem, rather, the problem lies within the system. The system could be a family, a group of friends, a relationship, or even co-workers. So treatment should focus on the system and subsystems (i.e. parent-child) instead of the individual. This doesn’t always mean family therapy, it means focusing on how the system functions (even if it’s dysfunctional) and changing the parts that prevent the client from achieving their goal.
Hope
Hope is essential to my practice. I’ve always told my clients, “I’ll hold onto the hope until you’re ready to take it for yourself”. Some people I’ve worked with have come in completely vulnerable and desperate for change (I see them just walking in the door as a demonstration of hope). Sometimes client’s can’t see they have hope, so I’ll hold onto it until they’re ready to see for themselves. Hope is the fuel that keeps the fire of change burning. With hope anything is possible!
