Beginning therapy can bring up mixed feelings: curiosity, worry, uncertainty, or hope. It is natural to wonder how therapy works, what topics might arise, or how you will feel during sessions. Understanding that these feelings are a common and valuable part of starting therapy can help you feel more at ease. My priority is ensuring you feel safe and comfortable as we navigate this journey together.

In my practice, I offer a relational, trauma-informed approach to therapy, meaning our relationship and your sense of safety are always at the forefront of our work. Here is what you can generally expect when you begin therapy with this approach.

Building a Secure Relationship

Relational therapy is grounded in the understanding that healing happens within the context of relationships. This approach emphasizes creating a strong therapeutic relationship grounded in relational therapy where you feel deeply seen, heard, and understood (Jordan, 2017). As we build trust together, therapy becomes a safe space to explore parts of your internal world, past experiences, and current challenges without fear of judgment.

Early sessions are often focused on establishing this trust. I will ask questions to better understand your experiences, your hopes for therapy, and what helps you feel safe and comfortable. Importantly, you set the pace of the therapeutic process, and I always welcome your questions and curiosities about myself or our process as we go along.

Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma-informed therapy is a foundation of effective mental health care, especially for individuals navigating anxiety, relational wounds, or past trauma. It involves an intentional focus on creating emotional safety and building a therapy relationship that honors your pace and your story. Being trauma-informed means understanding that many people come to therapy having experienced difficult or overwhelming events that shape their reactions and sense of safety (Van der Kolk, 2014). Trauma-informed care prioritizes emotional safety, ensuring that therapy feels manageable and supportive rather than overwhelming.

In our sessions, this might look like regularly checking in about your comfort level, being clear about what we are doing and why, and adjusting our approach based on your feedback. You will always have agency and choice in the therapy process, supporting you in feeling empowered and confident as you navigate your healing journey.

Gentle Exploration and Parts Work

One therapeutic model I regularly integrate is Internal Family Systems (IFS), which recognizes that we all have multiple parts within us, each with unique roles and ways of protecting us (Schwartz & Sweezy, 2020). In therapy, we gently explore these parts, learning about their roles and intentions, especially how they try to keep you safe or help you manage difficult feelings.

For example, you might discover parts that carry anxiety, sadness, or self-criticism. Rather than trying to eliminate these parts, we compassionately listen to them, learning what they fear or need. This exploration is paced slowly, ensuring you never feel rushed or overwhelmed.

Integrating Mind and Body

Trauma-informed therapy also recognizes that emotional wounds and stress often live in the body as much as the mind (Van der Kolk, 2014). Part of therapy can involve helping you gently reconnect with your body, noticing sensations and listening to the wisdom and stories your body holds. Techniques such as mindful somatic awareness, breathing exercises, and intentional movement are often used to help you feel safer and more regulated during and between sessions.

Practical Strategies and Long-term Growth

Over time, therapy provides practical strategies and new perspectives to help you navigate life’s challenges. Whether dealing with anxiety, relational struggles, self-esteem issues, or past traumas, a relational approach emphasizes the therapeutic relationship as a consistent, supportive space where empathy and understanding guide your exploration and growth. Through our work together, you’ll gain deeper insight into your experiences and practical tools for managing daily stressors and emotional challenges.

Is This Approach Right for You?

If you are seeking a therapeutic experience where the goal is for you to feel authentically understood, safe, and supported, a relational and trauma-informed approach might be a good fit. If this approach resonates, I invite you to reach out to connect for a free 20-minute discovey call. It would be an honour and a priviledge to work with you in creating a therapeutic space for your wellbeing and growth.