How can therapy work for me?
Many people begin the search for a therapist before they are sure what the therapy process will be like. Often, it can feel strange to share your life story with a stranger. The therapeutic process is designed to be a safe way for you to “upload” your daily concerns in a no-judgement, unbiased, and confidential space. In this way, it becomes a space to test out new relational patterns and ways of being.
My own approach to therapy is process-oriented and trauma-informed. It is about the experience of collaborative and creative processing of emotion and experience. Therapy can be hard work at times, but is also highly rewarding. It helps to unblock emotions and beliefs that may seem stuck, and find new and healthier patterns. It is my belief that my clients know best and are able to find solutions, and I can help to support them in that process.
For example, you may be someone who has difficulty coping with the stress in your life. Allowing yourself to engage in the therapeutic process and “think outside the box” can help you relax, refocus, and begin to develop coping skills. There is significant research evidence backing creative arts and talk therapy for stress relief, depression, pain reduction, altering brain chemistry, processing emotions, improving relationships, and more.
What can I expect from a session?
Each therapy session is tailored to meet your own needs. In the introductory session, we will discuss your personal challenges and decide on frequency of meetings, goals for your therapy, and how you would like to approach your treatment process. This is open to change at any time in the treatment process.
Some things that are frequent in my sessions are: talk therapy, guided imagery, breathwork, and creative arts exercises (sound collage, songwriting, creation of musical/audio autobiographies, music for relaxation).
What is Music Therapy?
My practice is comprised of both counseling and music therapy and other creative arts therapy methods. Music therapy is a helping profession which helps individual development through engagement with creativity and music. Music therapists have a Masters degree and complete a 1200 hour internship before practicing. Music therapists address goals in the following domains: speech and communication, social skills and relationships, cognitive development, motor skills (movement), and emotional skills.
Music therapy is process-oriented, meaning the focus is not on learning a new instrument or becoming a performing artist, but instead, it is on addressing personal goals through engaging with each individual creative process. Creative arts therapists do not diagnose, and therapy is not a cure- rather, it is a way to improve quality of life and develop new life skills.
What can I do if I have a complaint?
Please consult these links below for more information and to report a complaint.