About the therapy
Based on Catholic values
The therapy I provide is based on value-based, Catholic values. Let me unfold what I mean with that.
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The value of the human person
Meaning that I want to enhance the unshakable value of the human person in therapy (what Saint John Paul 2 would call personalism). We are all created with such value that even if we behave inappropriately or sin, we will always deserve to be met with respect and love.
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Happiness and holiness
It also means, that if Catholicism is important to you, I would love to integrate it in therapy with you. In secular psychology sometimes, the main focus is only on increasing well-being. We should not be satisfied with that only. Rather, we will look as healing and growing as a valuable goal in itself, but we will also direct ourselves towards a higher goal, the goal of growing in relationship with Christ and growing in virtue - striving to become a saint! In other words, we will strive towards a more happy and holy life.
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Integration rather than symptom-supressing
Another important value is to look at integrating the whole person rather than reducing symptoms. We are made in the image of God and therefore, we are made good. Our bodies and minds are not something to merely surpress but something to cherish and take care of. Jesus also never promised us a life without suffering, so trying to just eliminate suffering as a part of our life, will be a battle we cannot win anyway. Rather, we will focus in therapy to understand the symptoms, try relieve them if we can, or try to see them as a greater good. Psychologically speaking, I believe that symptoms are more often communication for us to be understood something to be reduced or fixed. Triggers as well are cues of wisdom for us. In a safe setting we can look at them together and try to understand what hurt they are pointing towards.
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Relationships-oriented
Relationships is also an important value. Being created in the image and likeness of God, we are made for relationship because He is relationship Himself. Saint John Paul 2 says "Man cannot fully find himself, except through a sincere gift of himself". We are made to be in relationship and to grow in love for one another. No man is an island. Neither are you.
The whole person
Also, I think it is important to understand the human person as being both body, mind and soul. If we dive into theology of the body, we will come across the enhancement of our body not just being something we have, but something we are. Death is a seperation of body and soul. Contrary, life is union between body and soul. The more we integrate them, the more fully alive we will be. Due to sin and hurt in this world, we sometimes consciously or subconsciously separate ourselves interiorly. For example, trauma can lead to the reaction of repression. That is a process where we separate our past experience from our present consciousness. Meaning, we subconsciously make a seperation. Trauma therapy is nothing but (roughly said) integration of the two. Integration of the painful memory in the self which leads to healing and being more fully alive. So, integrating of the whole person is very important for me as a psychologist.
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Clinical expertise
As a psychologist, besides being aligned with the teaching of the Catholic Church and base my life and work on values the church has given us, it is also really important for me to keep a high level of clinical expertise. If values were enough, my service would only be a bad alternative to talking to a priest. Rather, it is important that my service is research-based therapy with assured quality. I try to assure the quality by receiving regular supervision, engage in training and having regular meeting with other psychologists. At the same time, I also go to therapy myself and do my best to develop myself both as a psychologist and as a person. I am on a journey as much as you are.
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Therapeutical methods
My favorite method is Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) especially for couples. It is a therapy method that integrates attachment theory, experiential therapy and system theory. However, I have also been trained in psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy and others. My main rule regarding therapy methods is that I am always most interested in my client and then trying to personalize the method to the individual. I find that most helpful - since people are very complex and individualized treatment is therefore necessary. If you have any questions in regards to methods, please contact me.
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Personalized treatment
I have experience with a great range of client groups - both children, teenagers and adults, men and women, couples and individuals, socially disadvantaged and socially advantaged, believers and non-believers, individuals with severe psychological distress and with less severe challenges. The same goes for diagnosis', I have experience with mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, personality disorders, eating disorders etc. If you are curious whether I have experience with your specific case, please contact me and I will answer more specifically in regards to your case. That being said, more importantly than having experience with the client group you would "fit" into, I find it even more important to see you as you with your specific experiences. You might have the same diagnosis as your neighbor and have close to no similarities to that person. So the same goes as for methods, therapy for me is always personalized.
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