This is Charlie, my two-year-old 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 :)
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. Compassion and curiosity are paramount.
A safe, trusting therapeutic relationship can provide the space for us to show up as we are, warts and all, and to figure out together how to relieve some suffering and redefine your individual definition of wellbeing.
