Theories and Orientation
Attachment THeory
Attachment theory is based on the idea that we form our attachment to our primary caregiver when we are a baby, and that is serves as the foundation for all future relationships. Thus, if our parents weren't available or attuned to us appropriately, our attachment to our lovers and close friends can cause us feelings of anxiety or fear. Many times these feelings are unconscious, but many issues with couples can be boiled down to different attachment styles. To take an attachment style quiz, click here: what's your attachment style?
Jungian Theory
Carl Jung was a psychiatrist in the early 20th century who worked closely with Sigmund Freud to develop psychoanalytic psychology. Jung believed in the importance of forming a relationship to our unconscious mind: the part of ourself that motivates nearly all of our thoughts, behaviors and desires. The overarching goal of Jungian therapy is to become a more conscious, individuated person. To integrate our shadow (the darkest part of ourself, and yes, we ALL have one), and the unhealed parts of our psyche, which ultimately leads to more self-acceptance and self-love. The more we love and accept ourselves, the more we can love and accept others. Jung believed in the power of symbols, dreams, and archetypes, and the contributions he made to the field of psychology are endless. He also believed that the more we face our own darkness, the less we will project outward onto the world, and the more WHOLE of a person we will become.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a Buddhist meditation practice that is related to becoming aware of something and observing it in a nonjudgemental way. It also highlights the importance of being in the present moment. In Buddhist teachings, mindfulness is used to develop more self-knowledge and wisdom, and to practice compassion for oneself, which ultimately brings freedom from suffering and self-realization. Studies have shown that stress, worry and overthinking things contribute to mental illness, and having a mindfulness practice can alleviate these symptoms. Those that have a mindfulness practice show decreases in depression, anxiety, and stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) uses the principals of mindfulness in working with addiction and personality disorders.
Animism
"If you have ever felt that a star is more profound than a cluster of hot rock or gas a long way away, then you have a sense of what animism is." The word, "anima," means "soul" in latin. Animism is based on the belief that all things in nature are alive and have a spiritual essence, that all natural things have a soul. An animist has a way of interacting with the earth and all beings in it, in a respectful way. The honoring of animals, plants, the elements, and our ancestors, are all part of the animist way of life. Many indigenous cultures, including Native Americans, held animist beliefs and lived in harmony with nature. "Two strengths of animist perspectives are respect for diversity and skills for working with many types of relationships, both of which have big implications for personal healing." -Dr. Daniel Foor, PhD.
ART THERAPY
Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that encourages self-expression through creative techniques such as drawing, painting, sculpting, collage, etc. Similar to dream work, it can be used to access unconscious material and gain insight into thoughts, behaviors and beliefs that we would otherwise be unaware of. Art therapy can also focus on the creative art-making process itself as the therapy, or also on the analysis of the image created. The psychoanalytic approach was one of the earliest forms of art psychotherapy. "Art therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change."-AATA.org
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), is a technique used to treat those with PTSD and alleviate trauma symptoms. When a person experiences a trauma, it gets locked in the right hemisphere of the brain, which causes symptoms such as flashbacks, hypervigilance, anxiety, and fear. The bilateral stimulation used in EMDR links the right and left sides of the brain to help process the trauma, create new neural pathways, and objective memories. EMDR uses the body's natural instinct to heal and unlocks the client's own wisdom. "Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference. It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma." -emdr.com