My Philosophy
In my own healing work which led me down the paths of many different schools of thought (psychotherapeutic and spiritual), I came to believe that the healing process consists of three basic components: understanding yourself better, releasing sometimes old grief of many accumulated losses, and learning to allow the flow of emotions to come and go rather than to suppress or distract ourselves from them.
Talk therapy provides the foundation to gain clarity and calm, as the hurt mind is often confused and overwhelmed. Guided meditations bring about deep release, and help us tap into the energy of the heart that is loving and generous.
The ultimate healing though on a collective level, which heals our loneliness and disconnect, can only be provided in unison with nature. When desired, I integrate spiritual elements from forest therapy and shamanic traditions to soothe and heal deeply ingrained triggers that are often resistant to other forms of therapy.
Working With Me
I prefer to allow the therapeutic process to unfold organically, i.e. we discuss what is most pressing for you when we are meeting. If you wish to add more structure to the process, we can use my book "Be Good To You" as a guideline to address specific issues.
One on one meetings often require deep listening, especially when working through trauma and grief. Knowing more about the cognitive functioning of the brain gives us control over our emotions and actions, and then conveying knowledge is important. We figure out what's best for you in a collaborative effort. I assign homework where it is useful and desired, most frequently to build core value and self esteem.
The Spiritual Path
I have a deep interest in spirituality and how it can bring meaning into our lives. Psychotherapy and spirituality have the same roots. In many ways, modern therapists are now doing the work of spiritual advisors in the past. I believe that behind all our struggles and anxieties there is an entity that is calm, strong and peaceful and knows what is right. Some people call this entity the true self, or intuition. Others call it the soul.
We therapists work to uncover these often hidden strengths of the Self. We look at all the protective layers we had to build in order to be safe and peel them back, layer by layer, to discover what is really at our core. We find out where our intuitive forces lie, and how to let go of the obstacles that hold us back.
I have studied mindfulness, psychoanalysis, cognitive behavioral approaches, Eastern philosophy, the laws of manifesting, energy healing, dream work and shamanic practices in the past 20 years, and have come to greatly appreciate how much these teachings can help in the therapeutic process.
One of the issues that have been pressing for me is the ongoing trauma of climate collapse, disconnection from nature, and mass extinction. Finding the right balance between grieving these phenomena, working towards change and to coming to a place of acceptance are vital in this process.
Training - Theoretical Orientation - Publications
I was trained in many different modalities, and tailor my work according to what is most useful. I utilize psychoanalytic thought, Positive Psychology, Energy Psychology, Imago Relationship Therapy, Self Psychology, and Internal Family Systems Therapy. My main modes of practice are proven techniques such as cognitive behavioral interventions, mindfulness, psychodynamic therapy, imaginal healing, guided meditations, and energy work.
I have been practicing therapy as well as different forms of meditation since 2002. I always continue to learn and strive to expand my own awareness and consciousness.
Before I became a mental health professional, I had a fulfilling career as a journalist and writer in Germany and the US. For a long time, I wrote a blog for PsychCentral and I have published three books, Be Good to You, The Gentle Self and Buddha Betrayed.
We are all visitors to this time, to this place. Our purpose here is to learn, to observe, to grow, to love... and then we return home.
Australian Aboriginal Saying
