My Therapy Approach

---

During our initial consultation, I will answer all of your questions. I'll ask questions about your background and current situation while explaining my approach to therapy. Together we address everything from what to expect to the cost of treatment,  scheduling and what you need.

The cost of assessments is in addition to therapy and includes the following. 

• $0 The intake process is a general assessment that is fairly comprehensive and free of charge.  
• Additional assessments to investigate ADHD - Autism are an additional $100 and will include a summary of combined results from the CAARS, SRS-2, and CEFI and are summarized from an executive functioning perspective. 
• Deep assessments and personality assessments are available by special request for $500. The assessments used vary depending on what we are exploring. 

Both psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapies are forms of talk therapy that seek to help individuals explore and understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. However, there are some distinctions between the two approaches.

Firstly, both therapies place importance on unconscious processes. Which is why I use EMDR and hypnotherapy in combination with talk therapy. However, psychoanalytic therapy focuses more specifically on unconscious conflicts and desires, while psychodynamic therapy takes a broader view and considers a range of unconscious factors.

Secondly, the duration and frequency of sessions also differ. Psychoanalytic therapy often involves more frequent and longer sessions, sometimes multiple times per week, and can extend over several years. On the other hand, psychodynamic therapy typically consists of weekly or biweekly sessions and is usually shorter in duration.

Thirdly, my role as therapist varies between the two approaches. In psychoanalytic therapy, I will adopt a more neutral and non-directive stance, allowing clients to freely express themselves and explore their thoughts and feelings. In contrast, psychodynamic therapy I may be more interactive, offering guidance, interpretation, and feedback.

Additionally, the therapeutic relationship is valued in both approaches, but psychoanalytic therapy places particular emphasis on the dynamics between the client and therapist. This relationship is seen as a means to gain insight into the client's past and present relationships, as well as their unconscious processes.

Lastly, there are differences in terms of application and accessibility. Psychoanalytic therapy is often associated with more intensive and long-term treatment, which can be time-consuming and costly. Psychodynamic therapy, however, can be adapted to different settings and treatment lengths, making it more accessible and flexible.

In support of the above, I offer the following flexible scheduling options. 

• While 60-minute therapy sessions have benefits, I offer longer sessions to provide more time for a deeper exploration of issues and a stronger therapeutic rapport. 
• Additionally, 90-minute sessions can lead to more significant progress in therapy and more meaningful insights into behaviours and thinking patterns. 
• Longer 120-minute sessions are for individuals who prefer to meet once monthly for an in-depth EMDR and hypnotherapy experience. Then, they pause to reflect and allow themselves time to acknowledge "the shift" before processing to process adjacent memory networks and behaviours.

The combination of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and clinical hypnotherapy can be a powerful approach to psychotherapy. EMDR is a technique that involves rapid eye movements that help the client process past traumas, and hypnotherapy uses guided relaxation and focuses on exploring the subconscious mind and promoting and instilling positive change.

During a session, I may start with hypnotherapy to induce calmness and help you become more receptive to the EMDR. We will use EMDR to address specific traumatic events through guided eye movements. Once the trauma is processed and you begin to experience relief, we may transition back to hypnotherapy to reinforce the positive changes and help you integrate the healing experience into your subconscious mind.

Together, EMDR and hypnotherapy can help you process and heal from traumatic experiences and promote a sense of peacefulness, empowerment and well-being.

Narrative therapy is an approach I use to support and build structure around talk therapy sessions. Narrative therapy focuses on understanding and changing your story about yourself and your experiences. It seeks to help you recognize the power of your stories and develop more positive, empowering narratives to guide your life.