
Counseling and Therapy
Mastering the art and science of asking questions to provoke meaningful responses.
Specialties
Brain Health / Neuroregulation
Mindset / Personal development
Mindfulness / Relaxation
Spirituality / Meaning & Purpose
Stress Reduction / Coping Strategies
Lifestyle Modifications / Behavior Change
Life Transitions / Change

New to therapy?
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or counseling, is a collaborative and evidence-based process. At the core of psychotherapy is verbal communication, where individuals share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences while the therapist listens, provides support, and offers insights to facilitate understanding and change. This therapeutic process aims to explore, understand, and address several challenges while fostering personal growth, improved coping skills, and enhanced overall well-being.
Psychotherapy is not only for addressing mental health disorders; it can also serve as a preventive measure and provide support during challenging life transitions, grief, periods of heightened stress, or self-exploration and personal growth.
Effective therapy relies on building a strong foundation of trust and rapport between the therapist and client, fostering a safe environment for open communication and collaboration. Through transparent dialogue and active involvement, clients can work alongside their therapist to set goals, explore concerns, and engage in exercises tailored to their needs.
Central to the therapeutic process is the encouragement of self-reflection and insight, enabling clients to gain a deeper understanding of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Alongside this introspection, therapy often involves acquiring practical skills to manage stress, regulate emotions, and improve relationships. Consistency and commitment to attending sessions and actively participating are vital for progress, allowing clients to steadily navigate life's challenges and foster personal growth and positive change.
Why should you consider therapy?
Consider psychotherapy as a pathway to breaking free from stagnant cycles that impede well-being and as a valuable resource for those seeking support, guidance, and personal development in their lives.
Grounded in evidence-based practices, therapy provides a supportive environment where individuals can express emotions and concerns without fear of judgment, receiving validation and understanding in return. It can help equip individuals with coping strategies and problem-solving skills to navigate adversities more effectively, offering guidance and perspective on difficult situations.
Through self-reflection and introspection, therapy may foster personal growth and self-discovery by increasing insight into patterns of behavior or thought. Therapy can help individuals address interpersonal issues and improve relationships by exploring communication barriers and dynamics. It can also offer practical tools and techniques to manage stress, anxiety, and overwhelm, promoting increased resilience and adaptability.
How does therapy work?
Psychotherapists may use several modalities when working with clients, depending on what would be most helpful for moving through the curves of life. Unalome Counseling & Wellness takes an integrative approach, which is a flexible and comprehensive approach that combines elements from various therapeutic traditions to create a tailored and holistic treatment plan. It values individual differences, embraces diverse therapeutic techniques, and aims to provide a well-rounded and effective therapeutic experience.
Some of the therapeutic modalities employed:
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Transpersonal Therapy is a holistic and spiritually-informed approach that expands the traditional boundaries of psychological exploration, emphasizing the integration of mind, body, and spirit to foster personal growth, meaning, and self-transcendence. Some of the key elements of transpersonal psychotherapy include recognizing the interconnectedness of the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical dimensions and their influence on well-being; discussions about higher consciousness, spiritual experiences, and existential questions; exploration of meditation, mindfulness, or other practices that promote introspection and self-awareness; exploring and discovering meaning and purpose; integrating both Eastern and Western philosophies, pulling concepts from various spiritual traditions, psychology, and philosophy to create a comprehensive and inclusive approach; acknowledging the mind-body connection (the impact of physical well-being on mental and spiritual health).
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Seeks to go beyond symptom relief and aims for profound changes in an individual's perception, beliefs, and overall way of being. It embraces holistic approaches, existential exploration, and a collaborative, client-centered process to facilitate deep and lasting transformation. Key aspects of transformative psychotherapy are: healing from the inside out (going beyond surface level to address root causes of distress); holistic healing (mind, body, emotions, spirit); exploration of core beliefs; narrative reconstruction (create new narratives that align with an evolving sense of self); emphasis on personal growth; existential exploration (meaning/purpose/nature of existence); mindfulness and presence; creative expression; integration of Eastern and Western philosophies (drawing on a diverse range of therapeutic traditions to support personal transformation).
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Positive Psychology Therapy is a strengths-based and proactive approach that seeks to enhance well-being, positive emotions, and personal growth. By focusing on strengths, positive experiences, and fostering an optimistic mindset, this therapeutic approach aims to contribute to a more fulfilling and flourishing life.
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Culturally Sensitive Therapy is an approach that values diversity, promotes cultural competence, and adapts therapeutic practices to meet the unique needs of individuals from different cultural backgrounds. It aims to create an inclusive and respectful therapeutic space that honors the richness of cultural identities.
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Bibliotherapy is a therapeutic approach that uses literature, including books and other written materials, to support individuals in understanding and addressing emotional and psychological challenges. It is a form of self-help or guided reading that aims to provide insights, facilitate self-reflection, and promote personal growth. The individual selects or is recommended specific texts that resonate with their experiences. Through reading, they gain perspectives, coping strategies, and a deeper understanding of their own thoughts and emotions.
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Brief solution-focused therapy is a goal-oriented approach that emphasizes positive change and empowers individuals to discover and build upon their own strengths. It seeks to identify solutions, promoting a forward-focused and efficient therapeutic process.
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The purpose of acceptance and commitment therapy is to help individuals develop psychological flexibility, accept their thoughts and feelings, be present in the moment, clarify their values, and take committed action towards a more meaningful life.
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Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured and goal-oriented therapeutic approach that addresses the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is characterized by its evidence-based techniques, collaborative nature, and applicability to a diverse range of mental health concerns. CBT equips individuals with practical skills to change negative thought patterns and behaviors, leading to improved emotional well-being.
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Supportive therapy is a type of therapy that is flexible and can be adapted to meet the unique needs of each individual. It often emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship and the provision of a safe and comforting environment for personal exploration and growth. Interventions commonly associated with this approach include active listening, empathy, validation, encouragement, psychoeducation, clarification, exploration of coping strategies, promoting self-expression, and building a therapeutic alliance.
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Trauma-informed therapy is a holistic and compassionate approach that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma. It prioritizes safety and trust, and empowers individuals to navigate their healing journey with sensitivity to their unique needs and experiences. The key principles and elements of trauma-informed therapy include safety, trustworthiness and transparency, empowerment and choice, cultural sensitivity and diversity, emphasis on strengths and resilience, integration of mind-body approaches, and flexibility in treatment approaches.
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It is also known as outdoor therapy or nature therapy. Walk and talk therapy is a unique and innovative approach that takes traditional talk therapy sessions outdoors, typically in natural settings such as parks, river trails, nature reserves, or gardens. It is a unique and experiential approach that combines the benefits of physical activity, fresh air, the beauty of nature, and therapeutic dialogue. It offers an alternative to traditional office-based therapy, providing a dynamic and casual setting for individuals seeking a more active, outdoor-oriented therapeutic experience. Walk and talk therapy may not be a suitable option for everyone, and it is available, weather permitting.
Cultivating Resilience
The path through the Unalome is not without its obstacles. The loops represent the challenges and setbacks we encounter along the way. These loops symbolize life's inevitable hurdles, including adversity, loss, and uncertainty. They also serve as a reminder that growth often comes through struggle and that resilience is born from overcoming obstacles. Resilience is a skill that can be cultivated over time with practice, patience, and therapeutic support.
The Role of Unalome in Therapy
The unalome symbol and therapy both embody the idea of a transformative and evolving journey. They emphasize the beauty of the process, acknowledging that growth and enlightenment come from the experiences, challenges, and self-reflection encountered along the way.
Symbolic Journey
The Unalome symbolizes the path towards self-discovery and spiritual awakening. Each symbol element carries deep meaning, reflecting the highs and lows, the challenges and triumphs, that characterize the human experience. In therapy, individuals navigate their own life path, facing challenges, gaining insights, and ultimately moving towards a more enlightened and fulfilled state.
Finding Clarity
Despite the journey's twists and turns, the straight line that follows the loops represents a sense of alignment and harmony. This line signifies the alignment between our thoughts, actions, and inner truths. It suggests a state of balance and integration, where we are in tune with ourselves and our surroundings. Similarly, therapy aims to clarify individuals' thoughts, emotions, and life choices, helping them better understand themselves and their experiences.
Personal Growth
The journey begins with the initial spiral, symbolizing the commencement of self-exploration. It represents the moment when we embark on the quest to understand ourselves and our place in the world. This phase is marked by curiosity, introspection, and the desire for personal growth. Therapy serves a similar purpose: fostering personal development, self-awareness, and positive changes in one's life.
Living on Purpose
Finally, the dots that adorn the end of the Unalome symbolize the discovery of meaning and the achievement of our goals. They represent moments of clarity, insight, and fulfillment along our path. Just as the cycles of nature bring about change and renewal, these dots, too, signify the completion of one phase and the beginning of another. This metaphorically captures the journey of self-discovery and personal growth that individuals embark on during the therapeutic process.
Embracing Imperfections
The imperfect nature of the Unalome reflects the imperfections in life. Just like the twists and turns in the symbol, life is full of imperfections and challenges. Similarly, therapy encourages individuals to embrace their imperfections, confront their fears, and practice self-compassion.
“The journey to enlightenment is not about becoming something you are not, but rather, uncovering the truth of who you already are.”
— Michael Singer