Approach to Therapy
My approach to counselling is rooted in human psychobiology- that we are each a whole interconnected system. Both challenges and solutions are found by working with the whole self, rather than focusing on singular parts, like the mind, at the expense of the others.
I work with a whole body approach to therapy because many major mental or emotional challenges like trauma, anxiety, or poor impulse control have deep roots in our nervous system that push symptoms onto our conscious mind. Conversely, painful life experiences like depression, neglect or dissociation impose painful costs onto one’s body: from poor sleep, to physical pain, to even wider effects like poor boundaries in relationships or effectively communicating your needs to another.
Because every human experience involves the physical, the emotional and mental, in our work together expect that we will explore and expand each part of your system and the role they may play in your current situation. This way I work to ensure that your therapy isn’t just removing symptoms, but properly identifying and healing the causes of your distress, so that you can grow into the best version of yourself.
How an integrated mind-body therapy can help
Many of my client’s presenting challenges have been resolved by supporting the repair of the mind/body connection.
By grounding therapy in the mind/body connection, clients have experienced:
- Improved awareness of one’s own unconscious reactions, and why those reactions exist as they do.
- More flexible emotional responses, and have more control over big emotions reactions when they come up.
- Less instances of sticky intrusive thoughts, and improved skills to resolve mental fixations or anxieties.
- Improved self-talk and self regard.
- Improved communication and boundary setting- both with others and with one’s self.
- Improved self-insight, and new appreciation for who one is and how they came to be.
- Individuals with healthy mind/body connections are able to more fully inhabit the best version of themselves.
I work with each of my clients to identify and achieve their unique goals by using an integrated approach of somatic therapies to address body-based causes, as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to support mind-based healing. This approach lends itself well to a variety of client concerns- because I have the flexibility to adjust my skills and interventions to best match your unique focus and concerns for therapy, and not force a predetermined regiment of treatments onto your healing journey.
While I am formally trained in Polyvagal and ACT therapy, I also draw upon Gestalt (parts work), Teyber Interpersonal Processes, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and existential therapies to help make sure I can offer the best strategies and techniques to your particular therapeutic goals.
Odds & ends about Dan
- Before coming to Providence, I worked for four years as a full-time trauma therapist with the BC society for male survivors of sexual abuse, one of two specialized clinics for working specifically with abused men in North America. I continue to work at this clinic part-time.
- I am a researcher into inter-group trauma reactions, and reconciliation strategies.
- When not working ( which is probably a little too much ) I deeply enjoy being outside in nature, watching trashy movies, and revisiting music from the ‘90s.
- I am a dog person through and through.
- I am one of those "people" who let coffee make up a little too much of his personality.
If you are struggling with experiences emotional dysregulation, anxiously persistent and intrusive thoughts, communication and boundary setting, or simply not understanding why your body responds in certain ways - I would be honoured to speak further with you about my approach to therapy, and if a mind-body approach to counselling would be a good fit for you.
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