“When someone really hears you without passing judgment on you, without trying to take responsibility for you, without trying to mold you, it feels damn good!”
–Carl Rogers, Psychologist and Author
Therapeutic approaches vary from therapist to therapist, which may be influenced by various factors. These can include the type of therapeutic theories used, the therapist’s unique personality, and the way in which the therapist interacts with each individual client. I am dedicated to providing a comfortable and relaxing environment that allows you to be your authentic self with me. It is not uncommon in therapy to discuss frustrating and sometimes painful material; therefore, it is of utmost importance to have an open and trusting client-therapist relationship. I will meet you where you are at. I will be inquisitive with you, I will hold your anger, I will celebrate wins with you, I will laugh with you, and I may even get a bit teary with you. I put my heart into each and every one of my clients. It is my goal to be approachable and relatable.
Sometimes when clients consider beginning therapy, they often feel stuck in their lives and do not know what is getting in our way. This dissatisfaction can manifest as a myriad of symptoms such as depression, anxiety, substance use, relationship difficulties, or hopelessness. There are various psychological theories that allow us to address such symptoms and gain understanding as to why we think in certain ways or interact with others in similar patterns of behavior. I utilize Integrative Systemic Therapy, which is a tailored approach that allows for me to pull from several therapeutic theories and borrow a combination of techniques. This lends me the freedom to curate sessions that fit each individual client and the unique experiences they bring to session.
Some examples of theories that I find useful to tap into are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Intergenerational Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy. CBT is a common theory when treating depression or anxiety. This explores how our thoughts and feelings impact our behaviors. Intergenerational Therapy examines how patterns of trauma, cycles of conflict, and mental health diagnosis may be passed down from one generation to the next. Solution Focused Therapy is short-term therapy that emphasizes problem solving to obtain a desired outcome, utilizing the client’s strengths and resources rather than focusing on the origin of the problem. It is often more direct and goal oriented, especially for acute challenges.
My approach is influenced by both my overall style, as well as the theories I apply. At the onset of therapy, we will explore whether you think you might gravitate towards more exploratory and reflective conversation or whether you lean towards a more direct approach. This may also be fluid depending on the content of the session discussed. I will work with you to discover more positive and effective ways of managing the feelings that may be triggered by past traumas, interpersonal relationships, and everyday life stressors. My goal is to support you in uncovering your inherent strengths, fostering emotional safety, and creating lasting, meaningful change in the ways you relate to yourself and others.
Rebecca Toner, M.a. mft 