As an integrative therapist, I draw from various therapy modalities to support my clients. The approach we use will depend on your specific needs and preferences. I value a collaborative approach to therapy and welcome your feedback throughout our work together.
In general, I use a psychodynamic approach as my foundational modality with a relational and attachment focus. Psychodynamic psychotherapy focuses on unconscious processes that usually arise during our childhood and developmental years. Our unconscious patterns can affect how we interact with others and form relationships.
Exploring Past Patterns With Compassion
We often feel protective of our parents or caregivers when delving into childhood narratives, but it is not a process of judgement or blame but rather of exploration, understanding and building insight. The dynamics of childhood may have played an important role in allowing you to feel safe and worthy at the time, but some patterns that play out in your current relationships may no longer be serving you. A psychodynamic approach allows us to explore the root causes of our mental health concerns and psychological wounds while cultivating compassion for ourselves and others.
Evidence-Based Therapeutic Tools
I integrate several evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and trauma-informed perspectives such as polyvagal theory and brain-based interventions. Often, once we begin to understand the root causes of our distressing patterns, the question becomes ‘Now what?’ This is when we may draw on CBT, DBT, and other practical tools.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
The CBT approach is evidence-based and focuses on the relationship between your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Using the science of neuroplasticity, we work to rewire your brain by challenging self-limiting beliefs and establishing new ways of being in the world.
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Similarly, DBT is a branch of CBT that focuses on distress tolerance, emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness skills. DBT also emphasises mindfulness as a core skill in helping us to recognise and sit with our thoughts and feelings and how they feel in our bodies. The use of homework worksheets is traditional in both CBT and DBT. We can discuss incorporating these based on your needs and preferences.
A Holistic Path to Healing
Overall, I take a holistic view of psychology and mental health. I believe healing doesn’t come from a single intervention or in isolation – we are part of larger biological, psychological, and social webs. Trauma is a subjective experience that often becomes stored in the body. Healing can come through many channels, including creativity, the arts, movement, and somatic modalities. While talk therapy isn’t a quick fix and requires patience, it’s usually the accumulation of small, consistent changes that allow us to break through. We all deserve to dance freely, and I look forward to supporting you in finding your holistic pathway to healing and growth, even if it’s a messy dance.
Kim Konings 