My approaches to Therapy

At the graduate school I was first trained in classic psychodynamic theory and in art therapy. Later I added developmental theories while working with children and client centered humanistic approaches. While I worked with adults, I used psycho-education, cognitive behavioral techniques and I also trained with narrative team in postmodern approaches. In addition, as a family therapist I was trained in family therapy and marriage counselling. I find that the best method in therapy is a combination of approaches based on the needs of the client and type of presenting problem. My favorite way to work is to put the client in the position of an expert of their life and be curious to discover and build on their strengths and resiliencies. To co-create solutions and support them through adversities. When applicable I enjoy sharing the art therapy techniques as they can be very soothing to the clients who are opened to them and naturally to children.

About Meditation

Simply said meditation can be a lifeline. When we feel overwhelmed, exhausted, confused, depleted or just need to recharge and center it is a wonderful support. There is a great hype about meditation and discussion about the right ways to do it and superiority of the techniques. Having practiced and experienced many forms of meditation, I think all meditation is good and it can be very simple and it is easy to learn. It is about the preference and the depth of practice. Even a form of intended presence, being in the here and now is a form of meditation (so yes, we can wash dishes and meditate). Yoga can be a meditation when it is linked with breath and attention. Mindfulness practice is quite easy to learn and is used in many medical centers in North America. Then there are more challenging forms of meditation where a qualified teacher is required and it takes practice and patience to learn the technique, such as Transcendental Meditation and Vipassana. I think all meditation can be helpful, based on our disposition, appeal and if we incorporate the practice into our life.