Four promises from me as your Counsellor
I want you to know that you can always count on me for these things...
I will gently challenge you, with love.
Recently I heard this term from Miish Grixti called ‘LOVING FIERCENESS” and it was just SO ME. It’s my job to move you out of repetitive loops and the parameters of your comfort zone. Yes, it can be uncomfortable at times. I always have your goals in mind and I will advocate for your authentic self to emerge. I will not support your demise, your mask, your hiding or your shrinking of yourself.
I will always pick fights with your Inner Critic and shame spirals.
Whether you call it your Inner Critic, your inner mean girl, your Imposter Syndrome, your internal slave-driver and your shame monster, I will king-fu that sh*t before you even notice it’s attacking you. I’m also a master at seeing your shame spiral approach before you even know it’s near.
I see your story first, and symptoms second.
I never use the term 'Mental Health' in any of my online writing or on my website, which is pretty unusual for a therapist. I consider myself a therapist for your life and whatever happens in the realm of that I’ll support you, but I have little interest in leading with mental health diagnoses and criteria. I don’t talk only about your symptoms or diagnoses. I talk to the person you are first, symptoms later.
Yes diagnoses can be invaluable, but remember, you're YOU first.
I’m not the right fit for you if you want/need:
A clinical diagnosis
Structured and pre-planned sessions
A therapist who is an anonymous mystery to you
A therapist that only guides the sessions from a handout or worksheet
A therapist that gives you short-term symptom relief and wraps up your journey in 3 sessions without getting to the root cause of anything...
They are absolutely out there, I just work in a different way than that.
I also don’t really identify as a counsellor even though I use that term. Counselling, traditionally is for shorter-term work and problem solutions. I am a psychotherapist who is curious about all parts of you and wants to journey with you to a deeper understanding of your whole self. I simply tend not to use the word as it’s more known in America and I don't want to confuse people.
I believe the unspoken things that happen in the counselling room are the most valuable.
The safe relationship we build, your commitment to yourself, especially on the hard days, sharing your vulnerability with another human, asking for help, dropping your guard, and allowing yourself to explore the complexities within you. That is the magic.
It's not about the 'tools' or the 'tip' or the 'strategy.'
Think of it this way: In the great words of Maya Angelou, no one remembers what you say, but they always remember how you made them feel.
If you get an excellent tool from a therapist who you didn't click with- It won't create lasting change or a lasting relationship.
While i have excellent strategies, what transforms your experience with yourself is not what I teach you practically, but you will always remember me being there in the dark moments with me handing you a torch and reminding you, hey, we got this, together, here's the way forward...
I'm not scared of your depths or your vulnerability or your raw self.
Have you ever had that experience?
I'd love to know, how many people in your life can you truly drop your guard with? It's such a special relationship and experience.
If you've been wanting to start counselling and feel really aligned with me, we're going to work so well together. To start the process, simply send me an email and say Hi or explore my counselling services here for more information.
You don't have to do life hiding your raw, untethered, uncertain parts.
I'll help you soothe those parts gently, while holding the light for your highest vision of yourself, encourage your authentic self to emerge and slash and burn the self-doubt, shame or criticism that tries to derail you from making the changes you're craving.
We're not doing that in 2023.
Warmly,
Gabriella
