my ‘four C’s’ of therapy

I mention my approach a LOT, but realize that for my fellow need-direct-communication folks, that may not be enough. 

So… ONWARD! Let’s make a catchy little mnemonic device (yes, I had to look that word up) and I went ahead and made the title rhyme, while I was at it

Here are my four “C’s” for my therapy style:

• Compassion

Let’s first take a beat to develop skills to be compassionate toward who you already are. Our minds are wired to respond to love, support, and validation. Incorporating this into a mindful-self-compassion program * can free us to be open to new approaches, feedback, or pattern discovery

• Challenge

Let’s push back against what we found out after you started to offer yourself compassion. Let’s challenge those harmful behaviors. Let’s challenge the prescribed systems. Let’s challenge negative self-talk. Let’s challenge all of the popsicle stick ways you’ve drifted away from where you started. 

• Clarity

This is often the most ‘discovery’ part of therapy. We will spend time exploring YOUR values, YOUR goals, YOUR pressure points, YOUR habits. We will deconstruct the ways you’ve been programmed to feel/serve/do/act, and begin to incorporate real skills including acceptance and commitment, and revision of a tired inner dialogue

• Construct

What do you want, now? Let’s build something (old, new, whatever) that supports this version of you. This can include coping skills (like routines, planning skills, social networks, etc) but/and/also it will likely include new ways of participating in your life, overall. Ways to allow yourself to grieve, to breathe, to be angry, to be present in what is

Therapy doesn’t have to be a lifetime commitment, in order to help things feel better. While I often find that once folks start, they choose to stick with me for a while, there’s no set time frame making that a rule. 

I’m happy to guide you to any answers you may need.  

Be kind to yourself. Reach out when it’s time. 

*linked is Dr. Kristen Neff’s self-compassion community. Not to solicit, but to cite and acknowledge some fantastic theory/work/presence in the world