“The wound is where the light enters you.”
— Rumi
Why Now?
Sometimes it takes a raging crisis to drag a person into treatment and we know right where to begin. Other times it may not be quite so clear exactly what is wrong, but it hurts.
Sitting with unbearable discomfort to name an unspeakable problem is taking the first courageous step toward relief, which, with patience and attention, can stretch into one giant leap toward revelation.
Perhaps you’ve secretly always wanted to explore your inner life but have felt too embarrassed to try therapy because of how talking about feelings has been shunned by society or family—even though admitting to vulnerability is a profound strength and fosters human connection. You may kind of really enjoy finally having it be about you because you’ve always been a caretaker and now it’s your turn.
Go Ahead, Take Up Space
There is nothing broken about human suffering in whatever form that manifests—depression, anxiety, a relationship that once felt so attuned that now seems bankrupt—we just have to tap into whatever else it is that you also need. Presenting issues—or symptoms—are the body’s way of warning that something psychologically unresolved needs your attention.
To Need Is To Be Human
Naming our psyche’s dilemma is the heart of the work, getting acquainted with internalized attitudes and beliefs, and perhaps even finding some to be obsolete. Routinely slowing down and turning inward will awaken a sense of agency, resilience, and propensity toward self awareness that is innate and available to each and every person.
Just Be
Psychoanalytic psychotherapy provides a private space to reflect and invites the presence of mind necessary to access and name pain without judgment; a place where everything that comes to mind has meaning and purpose, room to know oneself. In here, dreams will never be boring and swearing will always be encouraged.
Curiosity Is Everything
There are no easy answers or quick fix prescriptive formulas to feeling your best. Talking out problems and getting comfortable addressing the unknown is the organic therapeutic stance from which we will set off on our healing journey. Together, we will discover what you need and how you might get there.
While most forms of licensed therapy are effective and legitimately worthwhile, efficacy studies have shown that psychoanalysis leads to lasting change, as compared short term behavioral models, which may require consistent tuneups (TADS, 2012).
From my point of view, psychoanalysis is wholly transformative, and the good news is it’s never too late to change. The bad news is that it hurts to grow. The insights to be found and perspective to be gained by investing in this process will continue to evolve with you for the rest of your life.
