Psychotherapy & Healing
Holistic Registered Psychotherapist
Child, Adolescent, Adult, Parent Counselling, Group
Child, Adolescent, Adult, Parent Counselling, Group
What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is made of up two key Greek terms: psyche (soul) and therapeia (serve). “Psycho-therapy” means “to serve the soul.” Psychotherapy is an exploratory process of the self and the self in relationship that is facilitated with a trained therapist who acts as a guide. The intention of such an experience is to gain insight into deeply rooted behavioural patterns and ways of relating that obstruct the potential to live in a healthy way and gain tools that support positive change. It is a healing process.
There are many different kinds of psychotherapy. This depends on the education and approach of the therapist. The holistic framework allows us to view challenges originating in the body, mind and spirit. At Creative Roots we are trained to use the following approaches: play-based, psychodynamic, expressive arts, mindfulness, dialectical behavioural, body centred/somatic, elemental, therapeutic clown and hands-on healing. Through our assessment it becomes clear what the most effective approach(es)for your healing path will be.
There are many different kinds of psychotherapy. This depends on the education and approach of the therapist. The holistic framework allows us to view challenges originating in the body, mind and spirit. At Creative Roots we are trained to use the following approaches: play-based, psychodynamic, expressive arts, mindfulness, dialectical behavioural, body centred/somatic, elemental, therapeutic clown and hands-on healing. Through our assessment it becomes clear what the most effective approach(es)for your healing path will be.
Child / Adolescent Psychodynamic Therapy
Play-based Approach
The most natural way of engaging in a meaningful way with children is through play. Play is the child’s symbolic language of self-expression. The intention of child psychodynamic psychotherapy is to examine the inner world of the child and understand the child’s organized ways of thinking, feeling and reacting. The therapist attends to disturbances with thinking, feeling or behaviour that interferes with healthy development. Meeting with the parent(s) or care-giver is an opportunity to gain greater insight and tools towards developing effective ways of relating with the child or adolescent.
Somatic Psychotherapy
The word somatic comes from the ancient Greek root σωματ- somat- (body). What is your somatic experience?
This form of body-centered psychotherapy is rooted in the knowledge and experience that the body holds experience, memory and is a wisdom keeper. When you are guided to tap into the awareness of your body and practice various ways of listening deeply, a relationship pathway forms that facilitates a kind of dialogue with your body-mind-spirit. This fundamental connection creates the possibility for understanding, compassion and healing to unfold.
This form of body-centered psychotherapy is rooted in the knowledge and experience that the body holds experience, memory and is a wisdom keeper. When you are guided to tap into the awareness of your body and practice various ways of listening deeply, a relationship pathway forms that facilitates a kind of dialogue with your body-mind-spirit. This fundamental connection creates the possibility for understanding, compassion and healing to unfold.
Expressive Arts Therapy
How do you move or dance through life? Do you experience harmony? How do you envision your life? What roles do you play? If you were the director, what scenes would you edit? Creativity is inherently at play in our lives. Each modality of art allows us to tap into and discover new perspectives to actively shape our lives. Every individual is invited to come to the session just as they are. Beginning from this place of self-acceptance. When creativity is tapped into, the being expands and is nourished. Through Expressive Arts Therapy, it is possible to use the power of the imagination as a kind of ‘medicine’ that can offer deep insights, awareness and the potential for vital change to unfold.
The therapist acts as a guide offering the expressive arts: visual, drama, music, movement, poetry and language arts as the frame. This creative process allows each client to playfully explore different sensory levels that may be out of conscious awareness bringing new and useful information up to the surface of their awareness. The therapist functions as an experienced guide and compassionate witness to the process, to support the client in making sense and integrating their journey throughout the session.
The therapist acts as a guide offering the expressive arts: visual, drama, music, movement, poetry and language arts as the frame. This creative process allows each client to playfully explore different sensory levels that may be out of conscious awareness bringing new and useful information up to the surface of their awareness. The therapist functions as an experienced guide and compassionate witness to the process, to support the client in making sense and integrating their journey throughout the session.
Therapeutic Clown
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
The therapeutic clown instantly opens the door to the world of imagination and play. The ability of the therapeutic clown or character to form a rapport is often beyond what a human relationship can offer. It is a specialized art form that is about the art of relationship. The way people connect with the therapeutic clown has a magic of its own! The therapeutic clown is a companion who is full of compassion. This kind of clown gives permission to be different and try out new ways of being. We can learn a lot from this kind of character about our own foibles, about being vulnerable and about possiblies. Often the light of humour can shine into the dark places so that we can bear to be with them and see things in a new way.
Always kept separate, but often informing the experience, Melanie's extensive background as a psychotherapist and healer allows her to understand and create profoundly therapeutic experiences through her unique approach to healing art of clowning around.
Hands On Healing - Reiki, Rubenfeld Synergy Method
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words Rei, which means spiritual force as intelligence and Ki, which is life force energy. So Reiki is actually spiritually guided life force energy
Rubenfeld Synergy Method combines light touch with talking where the therapist follows the sensations of the client, guiding them to make connections between their mind and body.
Rubenfeld Synergy Method combines light touch with talking where the therapist follows the sensations of the client, guiding them to make connections between their mind and body.
Getting Started
Every treatment begins with a period of assessment that is between four to six sessions. This will determine what kind of treatment may be suitable and the recommended frequency of sessions.
Who might benefit?
The following kind of psychotherapy may be suitable treatment for:
- Anyone who is curious about self-exploration, personal growth and well-being
- Emotional and/or behavioural issues (i.e. anxiety, anger, depression, self-esteem, difficulties with eating and sleeping)
- People with developmental disabilities (i.e. autistic spectrum disorder, Down syndrome)
- Exploring mind-body connection and disconnection (i.e. issues related to self care, sleep, eating)
- Palliative care (home visits)
Policy
- Child & Adolescent: Parent and/or guardian must consent and be committed to the therapy process.
- Cancellation: 48 hours notice required.
"What will you be?
A doctor, a dancer, a diver at sea?"
They never stop bugging me:
"What will you be?"
As if they expect me to Stop being me.'
- Denis Lee
