*Virtual counseling office serving all of California*
Finding the Right Tools
I am excited to announce that I am now accepting new clients who are interested in working with me using IFS (Internal Family Systems) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy.
Asking for help can be hard for a lot of reasons, even when we really need it. I’m here to help, whether you need more information to decide whether therapy is right for you, or you’re ready to get started. I am a licensed therapist, available as a guide, teacher, and healer, to support you through exploration and making changes in your own life. Whether the challenges you face are emotional (e.g. depression or anxiety), behavioral (e.g. wondering why you find yourself in the same kind of relationships over and over), or cognitive (e.g. anxious negative thoughts), clinical psychology has techniques that can help.
IFS is a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals understand and connect with their inner selves in a compassionate and nonjudgmental way. This approach can be particularly useful for those who struggle with self-acceptance, self-regulation, and relationship issues.
EMDR is a treatment method that has been extensively researched and proven to be effective in helping individuals who have experienced trauma. It involves the use of bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, to help process and resolve traumatic memories.
I also help clients using techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a method of understanding and improving your emotional cycles and mental patterns. CBT provides ways to directly connect with, examine, and adjust patterns that keep you stuck. I combine current evidenced-based practices and effective approaches from other schools of therapy such as polyvagal theory, solution-focused, existential, and exposure therapies. Not every therapy works for every person. With an assortment of tools to choose from we will find techniques that work for you.
Your emotions didn’t come with a manual and we all do our best with the tools we are given. Sometimes the tools we have aren’t right for the job we’re doing and healing our emotional wounds can feel a lot like hammering a nail with a screwdriver. My approach to therapy is to build up your tool box by teaching you techniques that you can continue to use throughout your life and help you learn to use them consistently and effectively. There is plenty of room for self exploration and coming to an understanding about how your emotions and your actions are connected. You’ll learn to communicate with your body and mind in healthy ways and to use that information for healing and guidance.
I am confident that these approaches can be powerful tools for personal growth and healing. If you are interested in working with me using IFS or EMDR therapy, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me to schedule an appointment. If you are ready to get started or would like more information there are two ways to contact me:
by Phone: (707) 992-5008
by Email: tara@athenacounseling.com
