why therapy…
Hey lovely humans,
I get asked all the time….but what is it that you do ACTUALLY…and how do I know if it will help ME?!
Let me break it down…
If you’re:
feeling like sh*t
getting triggered into big emotions on the reg
trying to move past trauma
pumped to become your best self
confused or not fully owning your sexuality
transitioning into a new phase of life
disconnected from your body and hating on it
figuring out what the f to do next
reaching endlessly for something to soothe you that you know is actually bad news
depressed or anxious but consider yourself high functioning
angry AF : at the state of the world, at the patriarchy, at your mum
an artist or sensitive soul and feeling all the things
stuck on loop and frustrated as hell
being really mean to yourself
OR
empowered to increase your self awareness and create a frickin bomb life
Then therapy with ess can definitely help!
But, like, how????
Ok! So this bit is harder to explain in a nutshell, but I shall try.
My approach to therapy combines an eclectic group of developmental attachment and relational trauma-focused rock stars…
PARTS WORK : Therapy with me involves parts work at some point. I resonate with and practice parts work myself, which is also known as Internal Family Systems Therapy if you want to google it. This is an evidence based approach, where we get to know all parts of self that have been fragmented during rejection and trauma in childhood and beyond. We explore all aspects of self, provide spaciousness, acknowledgement, acceptance to support the processing and integration of all parts towards healing and wholeness. It is a supported way to build a deeper relationship with our inner conflict.
GESTALT THERAPY : This approach to therapy is foundational for my work. Gestalt acknowledges the essential need for a secure, vital and trusting relationship to form between client and therapist. It has a here - now framework that invites experimentation within the therapeutic relationship, and also within the self. It looks at what is emerging in the present moment, and uses curiosity to support the unfolding of your truth. This approach provides us with new choices to ways of being we could not see earlier.
SOMATIC PSYCHOTHERAPY : This is a therapeutic approach that acknowledges felt experiences within the body. Our body holds cellular memory and can process deep woundings that our mind may not be able to comprehend. In this approach we look inwards to hear wisdom within our body’s cues, as well as use mindful body movements to support external body needs, expression and release. This practice assists us to reconnect and align mind, body, spirit which supports embodied empowerment.
REFLECTIVE / SELF INQUIRY / MINDFULNESS : These approaches are reflected within all elements of my therapy work. They involve a deep presence, sacred openness and commitment to not-knowing that allows our true nature to unfold and elevate. The consistency of these methods within my sessions, is to offer experiential learning opportunities of simple practices, that can be used throughout your life to self-regulate, self-explore and self-heal, as you step more and more into your true nature.
There’s a lot of info here, and it’s ok if it doesn't all make sense right now.
A short answer to your question is…
What do you ACTUALLY do? I provide bucket loads of empathy, challenge you when needed, sit with you in anger and grief, ask helpful questions with genuine curiosity, acknowledge and validate your feelings, really listen and hear you without bias or an agenda, remind you who you are, create a sacred space for deep unfolding, hold you with loving care, offer opportunities for new experiences, cheer for you, support you to understand how your past impacts you today, provide a different perspective, create pathways for meaningful exploration, guide you through conversations with self, encourage you to step towards.
How do I know if it will help ME? Hate to be the one to break it to you, but YOU are the biggest component when it comes to any form of therapy or self growth method being impactful. I say this with the hope it will empower you, not scare you away. If you find the right therapist for you, show up for yourself, commit to the process and lean in…then therapy will 100% help YOU. It can’t not.
Well, I hope that answers that doozy of a question.
With care,
ess