My Approach
It's a difficult thing to define my approach. I am trained in Transactional Analysis, but that will probably not be obvious from our initial sessions. The most important thing in psychotherapy is the relationship between the client and the therapist. It is the relationship that enables change to happen, regardless of the particular modality of the psychotherapist. You will find that I listen to you, get to the heart of what it is that you are bringing, and provide a space where you can bring all parts of yourself without judgement. One of my favourite quotes is "Shame dies when stories are told in safe places" (Ann Voscamp). I have experienced myself the power of bringing something I thought was unspeakable and finding it met with empathy and compassion.
Still, Transactional Analysis does inform my thinking. It structures the way that I understand my clients, the issues they bring, and what happens both in their relationships out in the world, and in our relationship in the therapy room. I use Transactional Analysis to think about the client's script that was formed under the pressures and sometimes trauma of childhood, and how that is still impacting them. The goal of Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy, according to Eric Berne who founded the approach, is for the client to become autonomous, where automony means greater self-awareness, greater emotional intimacy with others, and greater spontaneity. In other words, freedom from script.
Couples: With couples I take a more directive approach to support you to work through problems, communicate better, build connection and grow together.