I believe emotional distress is our way of trying to express something that needs to be heard and understood, as it is often alerting us to something very important. In keeping with this, I do not generally aim to “fix” your problems in a prescriptive manner; rather, I have found in my work that disturbances tend to lift most effectively when given proper space to be explored. As such, I aim to listen carefully and challenge sensitively, offering up new perspectives and possibilities for change. Above all, I hope we can establish a genuine connection with one another, creating a trusting place for you to express yourself as honestly as possible.
I honour diversity and value your individuality, so sessions can vary and fluctuate in style. For example, some of my clients prefer to come up with tasks or strategies to experiment with between sessions; whilst others prefer a more philosophical outlook, with space to reflect and explore. I will aim to support you in finding a balance that feels most empowering to you.
During your initial consultation I will ask about your hopes and expectations, and offer some ideas as to how we might approach them, which we can review along the way as the work unfolds.
What is ‘Integrative’ therapy?
My particular form of “integration” combines 3 of the most popular therapeutic modalities:
Psychodynamic therapy focuses on our past experiences and how they may have impacted our development, often creating patterns of relating to ourselves and others that can become problematic. It takes great interest in subconscious understanding, often through exploring childhood memories, as well as dreams, fantasies, desires and revulsions.
Humanistic therapy formed in reaction to psychoanalysis and aimed to equalise the relationship between therapist and client; to make the client the expert on their own lives as opposed to the all-knowing analyst. This approach fundamentally prioritises the idea that we are all capable of ‘healing’ ourselves when given access to right supportive conditions.
Existential therapy looks at universal human conditions such as loneliness, desire, anxiety, joy, mortality, and how we uniquely respond to these. It takes great interest in how we create meaning and value in our lives, with emphasis on individual freedom and choice.
I have listed the types of therapy in the historical order in which they were established. Combined together, these therapies can form an Integrative approach.
Daša Radovanović, MA, MBACP 