"Creating a safe space for growth" is a phrase that appears at the bottom of my business cards and stationary. It is not just a catch phrase but reflects how I work with clients by trying to create a sense of safety with them by talking "with" them and not "at" them, collaborating with them to find solutions to problems of concern to them, respecting the unique qualities that make up their personalities, recognizing that they have a story to tell and listening carefully to the important elements of their narratives, and being honest with them in terms of what I feel, so ambiguity in our relationship is kept at a minimum.
Clients sometimes ask what theory I use in my practice. I believe that are all part of the "system" in which we live, so I try to help you identify elements in that system that could be creating problems. We are also systems unto ourselves, so sometimes the work will focus on what is going on internally; what you are feeling; experiences you have had; and so forth.
Another FAQ involves dealing the past. I do believe that what has happened to us previously significantly affects what we do and how we feel today. However, I am not a therapist who asks you to blame others but rather to determine if there is a connection between what has happened in past relationships and the present. Finally, I do not believe that that resolution requires a rehashing of every negative event in your life. I do think it is important to gain enough awareness about your past in order to determine what you learned at that time and what you may need to "unlearn" now.
