My counseling philosophy is rooted in a fundamental belief that we're all wired a bit differently, a concept that's become a bit more popular since sociologist Judy Singer coined the term "neurodiversity" in the 1990s.
I think the key is to learn more about:
who we are,
where we come from,
how we function and
what strengths and challenges arise
as who we are interacts with the rest of the world around us. I also think we get injured - through trauma, loss, major life events - and often need significant time, space and attention to survive and to figure out what moving forward looks like. Learning to be compassionate with and curious about ourselves is a vital part of the process.
A safe, trusting therapeutic relationship can provide the space for us to show up as we are - even with the parts of ourselves we don't like very much - and to figure out together how to relieve some suffering and redefine your individual definition of wellbeing.
This is Charlie, my service-dog-in-training. If we work together, you'll see (or hear) him often in the background. We'll see how his career choice pans out. The learning curve has been steep :)