A Quick Overview of the Therapy Process

It should be noted that while this process is explained in a step-by-step linear fashion, that it doesn't quite happen that way. The healing and growth process is a mystery that is different for each person. A "later" stage can come before, or at the same time as an "earlier" stage. It is simply easier to explain the trajectory of healing in a step-by-step manor.

This is an overview of the therapy process as I see it. Everyone's path will be different. It may take unexpected turns, slow down, speed up, move backwards, travel through different landscapes. This is simply a rough overview of the trajectory I have seen in myself and those I have worked with.

If we orient around the idea that we are coming to therapy because there are patterns- mentally, emotionally, and behaviorally that aren't working for us, we can then look further into how these patterns were formed.

Essentially, all of these patterns are the mind's attempt at dealing with the countless difficult experiences we have had in our lives. At the center of each pattern is a core belief and its associated emotional tone that the pattern is centered around, and fueled by.

In therapy we will explore these patterns, tracing them back to experiences in life, and uncovering the pattern's core belief and emotional web. With these discoveries, we will better be able to understand how we work. We will see the pain we have endured as well as the lack of control we had over the patterns that were formed as a result of these painful experiences. After seeing the truth of our situation, we will experience compassion for ourselves.

Many older therapeutic modalities would stop here, operating under the belief that this understanding leads to change. While this change does happen, it is often the case that the deeply entrenched patterns in ones life stick around.

The mind does not change simply due to cognitive understanding.

For change to occur one must heal old wounds held in our mind, nervous system, body and spirit.

For those interested, spiritual exploration is often important. We might find ourselves seeking answers to the big questions in life. Questions like: Who am I? Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? What is my purpose? What really is this universe we live in. Along this spiritual exploration, there are many potential pitfalls and wrong turns. These sometimes lead to unknown and often dark places.

For this aspect of psycho-spiritual work, it is important to work with a therapist that has an understanding of the psychological perils of the Spiritual Path.

Along this journey there will often be simultaneous work on the more positive realms of psychological work - ones aimed at optimizing your potential, your enjoyment, your peace, or whatever else you desire!

Along this journey there also will be healing that must be done through the body. This is because when we endure painful experiences, the painful energy gets stuck in the body. When this energy is stuck in our body, it affects our emotional lives, because after all, emotions are felt through the body. Our emotions inherently impact our mind, and soon enough this stuck energy is controlling our lives. In order to truly heal we need to successfully discharge this energy held in the body, helping us return to a calm and peaceful state. To do this numerous somatic therapy techniques are used.

For lasting change to occur one must have mental and emotional experiences that are in opposition to the core belief and emotional tone of old patterns. This allows patterns to be rewritten into something new that works for you. This process is called memory reconsolidation

After old beliefs and patterns are rewritten we experience a new way of being in the world. Sometimes these changes are difficult. For this continued therapy is helpful in finding ones way around this new territory. New conceptions of who we are may occur, and new meaning might be made.

Eventually we might desire to leave therapy altogether. Some folks like to touch in from time to time, and some folks don't feel the need to return.

It is my hope that each and everyone of us can reach this point!

I leave you with a quote to contemplate.

“The spiritual journey is individual, highly personal. It can't be organized or regulated. It isn't true that everyone should follow one path. Listen to your own truth.”

Ram Dass