Therapeutic Approach
I offer a form of therapy that is informed by Narrative Therapy. It's philosophy rests on a number of principles:
Therapy:
- "The person is not the problem, the problem is the problem."- Michael White - The problem is not located just within you.
- Problems have a context and therapy explores the influences that support the power those problems have in your life (culture, family, work, trauma, etc).
- People are the experts in their own lives.
- People/Relationships/Communities are multi-storied. Not one experience or story ever captures the total of who that person/relationship/community is.
Therapy:
- Explores in a non-blaming, collaborative way the struggles you are facing and your responses to them.
- Explores how you've come to the conclusions (stories) you have about yourself and the world around you.
- Questions what's considered normal and offer space to explore your own values, hopes, dreams, preferences, and commitments (what makes life worth living).
- Explores the many influences that shape your beliefs such as family, culture, religion, gender, race, sexual orientation, class, ability, etc
- Explores people's own skills and resources that can offer solutions to the problem.
- Offers an opportunity to create or to connect to different/preferred stories about yourself/relationship/community.
I have a holistic approach to counselling and believe that there are a number of factors that may help people feel better that include biological, social, spiritual and cultural. We can work together to support the change you want and create manageable steps towards the change you desire.
Change can come quickly so I offer brief or longer term support depending on your needs.
If this feels like a good fit for you, I invite you to contact me to arrange an appointment.
Change can come quickly so I offer brief or longer term support depending on your needs.
If this feels like a good fit for you, I invite you to contact me to arrange an appointment.
The PERSON is not the problem, the PROBLEM is the problem.
- Michael White