If you’re feeling stuck, anxious, or overwhelmed, you are not broken and you don’t have to do this alone. Many people wonder what actually happens in therapy and whether it could help untangle life’s knots. 

The short answer: yes, when the fit is right and the work is paced with care.Whether you’re navigating work stress, relationship strain, grief, or a vague sense that things are “off,” understanding psychotherapy is a powerful first step.

What psychotherapy is (and isn’t)

Psychotherapy (often just “therapy”) is a collaborative, confidential process that helps you relieve emotional distress and improve your day-to-day life. It isn’t about diagnosing you as a problem to be fixed; it’s about making sense of your experience, in your mind, body, and relationships, and then creating new possibilities.

Different therapists work in different ways. Some approaches are more structured, others more conversational. You won’t be asked to lie on a couch (unless you prefer it); you might sit in a comfortable chair, join a group, or meet online. The aim is consistent: deepen self-understanding, shift unhelpful patterns, and increase ease and choice in your life.

My core orientation is psychodynamic and relational, grounded in the idea that healing is relational. I integrate somatic awareness, mindfulness, and practical tools so insights don’t just live in your head; they land in your nervous system.

Why people seek therapy

You don’t need a crisis to benefit. Common reasons include:

• Stress or anxiety that doesn’t settle—despite every trick you’ve tried
• Low mood, flat motivation, or a lingering heaviness you can’t quite name
• Tension in relationships—partners, family, colleagues
• Major life changes—moves, career shifts, losses, or transitions that stir old patterns
• A desire to understand yourself better, set clearer boundaries, or be met without judgment

Therapy offers skilled companionship: a steady place to think, feel, and choose with more clarity.

Approaches we may use (finding your fit)

There’s no one-size-fits-all. We may draw from:

• Psychodynamic / Relational Therapy – explores how earlier experiences shape current patterns and relationships, opening space for new choices
• Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – practical tools for shifting unhelpful thought–behaviour loops
• Somatic & Mindfulness-Based Work – building body awareness and regulation so change is felt, not forced
• Humanistic / Existential – centring meaning, values, and authentic choice
• Integrative – a thoughtful blend, paced to your nervous system and goals

Sometimes it takes a few tries to find what resonates. That’s normal.

What happens in a session

Expect a conversation with clear boundaries and consent. We’ll clarify what matters most to you, map the territory, and work at a pace your system can handle—what clinicians call “titration.” Sessions are typically 50 minutes. Over time, you might notice you bounce back from stress faster, communicate more cleanly, and feel less at war with yourself.

• You bring what’s alive—anything from grief to the saga of the neighbour’s leaf blower
• I listen closely, ask questions, and offer reflections or practices
• We set direction together; progress isn’t linear, and that’s okay

Therapy in real life examples

Alex kept replaying awkward conversations. With CBT tools and gentle inquiry, Alex learned to reality-test those loops and felt less hijacked by them.

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