What to expect

I am trained in an approach known as Relational Psychotherapy. This is based on the view that our well-being depends on trusting, respectful relationships with others. By the same token, our problems are often rooted in relationships and played out unconsciously in our relationships with others.

In therapy, I will engage with you in a new way of being– one in which you can bring up your feelings and beliefs without fear of judgment. You will become more self-aware, more relationship-aware, and you will gain the confidence to express your true self in relationships with others.

Another approach I draw from is the theory of Attachment.  Attachment is the emotional bond we develop in the first years of our life with our significant caregivers.  This early attachment gives us a template of how to be in all our future relationships – confident in ourselves and secure with our partner, or, hiding parts of ourselves and unable to give or receive the loving connections we’d like to have.

For individual adults I may invite you when appropriate to explore childhood relationships and unresolved issues from your past in order to help you resolve present challenges.

For couples I will support and validate the experiences of both partners and help you talk to each other in more authentic ways.  You will come to understand the unhealthy patterns in your relationship that keep you from having the closeness that you want. We may work towards strengthening your relationship or ending it, as you see fit.

Psychotherapy can be short or long term depending on the reasons for the presenting problem.

 Relational psychotherapy can help you if you are struggling with:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Grief and loss
• Separation and divorce
• Relationship conflict
• Trauma
• Unresolved childhood issues
• Adoption
• Work or life transitions
• Lack of confidence
• Lack of partner support
• Becoming a parent or caregiver
• Raising a baby who has a special need
• Parenting

For a fuller description of Relational Psychotherapy, visit www.tirp.ca the institute where I was trained.

For an article on Attachment, see www.danielsonkin.com