Treatment Modalities
Therapist / Client Relationship
Carolyn uses what’s “in the room” from the first day of treatment and throughout. Through building a healthy therapist/client relationship, past wounds are healed and current relational challenges are revealed. For this reason, feeling comfortable and connected to your therapist is the most important treatment “modality”. Studies have shown that the therapeutic relationship is the most consistent way to predict if therapy will achieve the desired results.
Parts work
Carolyn draws from the principles of Internal Family Systems (IFS), Ego State Therapy, and general systems theory to explore the various parts that make up the whole of us. Parts work allows us to see what’s happening inside from a more compassionate position: When we can find distance from a particular feeling or behavior, we usually see how that part of us is trying to “help” in some way. Parts work assumes that all of us have a competent, compassionate, and curious adult self (or core self) inside, and works to empower that part.
Somatic Noticing & Mindfulness
Carolyn uses influences of somatic experiencing and mindfulness to repeatedly draw your attention to what’s happening in this very moment, instead of getting caught up in the “stories” in your head. Through a trauma-informed lens, this is done carefully and slowly, as body awareness is a tricky, and sometimes triggering, experience.
Good Old-Fashioned Talk Therapy
Often, what you will experience with Carolyn looks a lot like what most people imagine therapy to be: Meandering conversations about work, arguments, love, childhood memories, and funny memes you saw this week. Carolyn will point out themes, patterns, and reflect back to you what she hears. She will provide support and hold space for whatever feelings come up. She will make suggestions and give you resources.