What does “Relationally Focused” mean?

Our need for belonging, value, acceptance, and love is part of our genetic instinctual imperative for survival. When these relational needs are threatened or at risk, it can have the same effect as a lion chasing you! Occasionally, your attempts to fulfill or protect your relational needs can grow into behaviour patterns that are unhelpful or painful to yourselves and to others.

In focusing on the relational aspects of who you are, we can understand why you are suffering. I do this by incorporating a trauma-informed holistic approach, that re-connects you with your core needs, your thoughts,  your nervous system, your body, and your emotions. I also focus on the relationship between you and me as a rich source of information, practice, and healing. We are biologically designed to heal in relationships and creating the conditions for healing is my top priority for my clients.

“Trauma” Defined

Trauma is an acute form of stress in which your brain and nervous system get activated. This can happen from a perceived threat to your survival or a threat to your sense of relational safety. It can also happen as a result of cumulative stress over time.

Trauma in essence is experiencing too much, too fast, with not enough support. This is the trifecta of trauma which is how your brain and nervous system interprets something as threatening or traumatic. Any one or a combination of these conditions hinders us from being in relationship to the here and now and ultimately disconnects us from our core selves and others. This is why I am intentional about slowing down, integrating change incrementally, and ensuring your sense of safety and connection to me is secure.

Methods

Some of the tools or techniques used to support the conditions of healing could come from Relational Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Somatic Experiencing (SE), Trauma Integrating Flow Therapy (TIFT), Family Systems Therapy, Emotion-focused Therapy (EFT), The Gottman Method, and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFBT).