You are the expert in your experience, so the first phase of therapy is you unfolding your story. The next stage is unveiling patterns of behavior and recognizing the developmental stage when that pattern developed, and why. Then comes the question—does that pattern still work for you? Was it formed as a reaction to stress? What blocks your progress, or makes you uncomfortable around others? If those blocks were reduced, what strategies can be created to reduce anxiety, depression, or a sense of overwhelm, and how will that change your responses in stressful situations? That’s the general structure of the therapy, and it’s individualized by starting with all the unique factors of ‘youness’ and making a path towards goals. How this works: True understanding of all the family, cultural and developmental influences on the development of the self brings compassionate wisdom. That is the first stage in a dual awareness of being both inside and outside of the emotions, as if empathically parenting a child. Self empathy is profound and necessary. From inside the emotion you get validation and from the outside you increase perspective. That alternation accelerates the ability to grow, and emotional growth means outgrowing ‘stuck’ patterns. Therapy is for finding relief from old habits that are too small to let you grow and achieve a rightful sense of freedom to take up space in the world. There might be some ‘ah ha’ moments in therapy along with the work of building new mental-emotional muscles; also, like any other muscle building, it takes time and commitment. I willing offer guidance and support along the way, and welcome your inquiries.