Philosophy
Our Philosophy is Simple.
Rediscover · reconnect · reimagine
Trauma is not just what happens to us, but also what happens inside of us, and that we can heal.
Suffering is often part of the human experience.
Suffering is an innate and unavoidable part of the human experience. But what about pain? The Buddhists say pain is created when we resist suffering. Part of my approach helps you sit with suffering in such a way that you can lead a life not in spite of what has happened but because of. This approach takes into account humans innate ability to make meaning. I do not believe everything happens for a reason but I do believe it is a human imperative to make meaning out of everything. This enables you to be in driver seat of your experience. Letting emotions pass through you instead of getting stuck inside.
Often adaptations that once served and protected us are now keeping us stuck and locked up. Experiences like shame, anxiety, and depression, leading to thoughts like “i am not good enough”, “i am not safe”, “i want to die”, though hard to believe actually had an adaptive functions at one point. Part of our work is helping you recognize the function (have compassion and acceptance for your different parts), so we can change the way you organize experience. Shifting to things like “I am enough” , “I can create safety”, “I am worthy”. Acceptance is the precursor to change.
We are all others, we are all infinitely different, and yet we all share the need to be others together. Through my existential foundation I offer a safe and compassionate space for us to explore you. My approach is relationship centered. I am committed to being a fellow traveler with you in your unique life journey. My approach is humanistic and holistic as we tap into our innate abilities to creat healing and growth.
Check out ways Other Together offers meaningful experiences and connections in the Seattle.
Rediscover + Reconnect
My Philosophy on Trauma
My definition of trauma is that which we can not digest. Things that happen too quickly, too much, too soon. Parent’s who did know how to attune to their children’s needs is often where foundations of trauma are created. I often see clients comparing their experiences to others and belittling the fact that they too have trauma. Research has shown that capital T trauma and little t trauma have the same effects on our mind, body, and soul. We can not go back and change the the events that happened in the past but we can heal the wounds that happened inside of us as a result. These wounds create a disconnection from ourselves. A disconnection that often at one point helped us survive. We are conditioned from such a young age to choose between authenticity and attachment. My hope is through therapy you can re-connect with your authenticity and remain attached to meaningful connections while also making new ones. The old English root for the word healing is hale which means wholeness. The process of healing is to rediscover and reconnect with ourselves.