I am an Emotionally Focused Therapist working with couples and addiction. I feel most satisfied to see my clients grow self compassion toward their vulnerabilities and feel stronger and wiser. I also feel most touched when I see couples reconnect with each other at a level that they didn’t know possible. Personally I never get tired of learning and growing. This year as I maintain my learning in therapy, I’m deepening my practice in mindfulness meditation and yoga.
What would your clients and colleagues say is your therapist superpower?
My clients and supervisors tell me that I have this exceptional ability to relate and empathize with my clients’ pain, and they can feel I “genuinely care”.
How do you practice what you preach in daily life?
My therapeutic approaches are Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Mindful Self Compassion (MSC). In my daily life, They have become the way of my living. EFT taught me about emotions. Internally, my emotion is like the compass to a ship on the ocean, guiding me through waves and know where to go. Interpersonally, the knowledge of people’s emotional world helps me to communicate and connect with others especially in difficult times. MSC taught me unconditional self love. As I have more compassion for myself, I have more compassion for others.
What is one thing that you have learned through your own therapy?
I received Emotionally Focused Therapy. One thing coming out of that journey is learned secure attachment. My relationship with my therapist was the first healthy, secure attachment relationship in my life and it’s become the new blueprint for all my close relationships.
Short Term (Solution-focused, etc.)
Ideal for those who are coming in with a specific problem they’d like to address and gain clarity on. Typically, short term therapies are present focused and do not dive deep into your past.
Structured
Structured therapies are goal and progress oriented. Therapists may incorporate psychoeducation and a specific “curriculum.” In order to stay on track, therapists may provide worksheets and homework.
Insight-oriented (Psychodynamic, Existential, etc.)
Exploring the past and making connections to present issues can help clients gain insight. Getting to the root of the issue and finding deeper self-awareness can help with long-term change.
Non-directive (Humanistic, Person-centered, etc.)
Going with the flow and seeing where it leads.
Behavioral (CBT, DBT, etc.)
Focuses on changing potentially unhealthy or self-destructive behaviors by addressing problematic thought patterns and specific providing coping skills.
Trauma Focused (EMDR, TF-CBT, etc.)
Recognizing the connection between trauma experiences and your emotional and behavioral responses, trauma focused therapy seeks to help you heal from traumas.