My Approach
Early connections impact us emotionally.
You probably wonder what is going on with you and why you feel stuck. I will provide a brief explanation here.
What you are experiencing is emotional pain. You are NOT defective. The experience of emotional distress is a universal one, and like physical pain, emotional pain can be episodic or chronic.
How we grew up and with whom significantly affects our ability to tolerate and manage this pain. Growing up with the “best” parents in a great household can help the outcome, but it doesn’t shield us from disappointment and pain.
At birth, we form an emotional connection (or attachment) with our primary caregiver (usually our mother). Like in every relationship, we respond to each other’s communication style. When this relationship is stressful and doesn’t meet our needs, it affects our ability to connect to others, regulate our emotions, and keep ourselves safe. When this connection is loving, secure, and supportive, we fare better in our ability to relate to others.
Similarly, when we grow up in a supportive family system, we develop healthy ways of coping and managing distress. Alternatively, growing up in a family that invalidates, controls, or is unresponsive compromises our ability to adjust to stressors and experiences – making us more susceptible to adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse and trauma.
Coaching provides a safe space to navigate emotional experiences.
Together, we will review your story to better understand how past experiences are shaping your life today. Our main focus will be on building a partnership built on trust. Additionally, we will use interventions to strengthen your relationships and support your growth.
In our work, I primarily utilize attachment theories and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT.) We will focus on your family of origin, specifically exploring your relationships with caregivers and siblings to address adverse experiences from both your childhood and adult life. CBT highlights the relationship between thought patterns, emotional experiences, and behavior, examining the stories we tell ourselves about the world. Because these narratives dictate how we respond to life, shifting them creates lasting change. Extensive research proves this approach is highly effective at treating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship challenges.
Let’s find a way for you to move forward.
During our work together, we will examine your connections with others and your relationship with yourself, exploring how your core beliefs contribute to your current situation. I will help you challenge unhelpful thought patterns to develop more desirable emotional responses and behaviors. Additionally, we will use evidence-based techniques to assist you to identify and implement new coping skills, improve your problem-solving abilities, and track your progress.
You deserve to live free from pain and suffering. Contact me today!