There are many ways to heal and grow, and navigate life changes and transitions.
Change is an inevitable fact of life, it is a truth that we can rely on. Psychologists, scientists, and spiritual teachers study the complexity of change.
Developmental models outline a linear timeline. This timeline is complete with markers and milestones that often signify life cycle changes and transitions. Though, more often than not, change is not linear.
Instead, change becomes much more of a meandering path that moves forward, laterally and even backward. Some changes go unnoticed until a quiet moment offers reflection and awareness. While others feel more clear and profound.
Developmental models outline a linear timeline. This timeline is complete with markers and milestones that often signify life cycle changes and transitions. Though, more often than not, change is not linear.
Instead, change becomes much more of a meandering path that moves forward, laterally and even backward. Some changes go unnoticed until a quiet moment offers reflection and awareness. While others feel more clear and profound.
Common Changes and Reasons to Start Therapy
- Pregnancy, birth and postpartum
- Loss of a loved one
- Graduation
- A new job or loss of job
- Raising children
- Moving
- Marriage
- Separation and Divorce
- Mood changes
Our Reactions to Changes Matter
How we react and respond to change can affect our mental health. Change can cause a spectrum of feelings and emotions. Emotions can range from "honeymoon highs" of bliss and joy to the lows of depression and hopelessness. Changes can be a time of intense anxiety and stress. What matters is that we hold space for the unfolding of the unknown. But, we must accept the truth that there is no way around the discomfort of change. Instead, we must set our course forward and lean into support and compassion to move through it.
Grounding Tools Enhance TherapyGrounding tools regulate our emotions during times of change and can enhance self-awareness. We can learn to embrace life transitions and be more confident when more change happens. Meeting the transitions with mindfulness and compassion is one way to make ample space for change. This will help us build resilience and stamina for the rollercoaster of life.
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Therapeutic Approaches in Ewing, NJ
In our Ewing, NJ counseling center, our skilled counselors use therapeutic approaches of all kinds. Some approaches lean more towards acceptance, validation, support. Others are about the exploration of trauma and relational patterns. Still, others are more focused on skill development and problem-solving. You don't have to know which technique to use. Let us work together to find the right fit for you at this point in your life.
Read on to learn more about our specific therapeutic techniques, if you'd like.
Read on to learn more about our specific therapeutic techniques, if you'd like.
Mindful and Multicultural Counseling Center Therapy Modalities
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
- DBT tries to balance acceptance and change strategies.
- Acceptance involves recognizing there is pain in this world and we can't always change our triggers.
- We can reduce our suffering and change our relationship to the trigger.
- Change involves problem solving and doing things differently to change our circumstances.
- Honoring multiple truths known as dialectics.
- Validation is important as well as working hard to make changes in one's life.
​EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) or Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
- Building resourcing for managing emotions.
- Bilateral stimulation of left and right brain hemispheres:
- promotes healing
- left side of the brain tends to be logical
- right side of brain tends to hold traumatic memories
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Interpersonal neurobiological approach, Polyvagal theory
- Somatic approach to processing trauma and attachment issues
- emphasis on body telling a story of our life experiences
- promoting integration of body, emotions, movement, images and thoughts.
- Widening our window of tolerance for emotions.
- Understanding our nervous system and the ways we move through different zones
- high energy, low energy, optimal level of arousal
- each zone impacts our mood and our view of the world
Relational/attachment based processing therapy
- Traditional talk therapy to understand relational, behavioral and thought patterns and their connection to emotions.
- Exploration of childhood experiences.
Prolonged Exposure
- Reducing avoidance of difficult emotions and sensations through processing traumatic memories.
​​Mindfulness Meditation, Energy Work and Trauma Informed Yoga
- Building concentration, awareness, curiosity, compassion, gratitude, mantra, chanting, embodied experience.
- Celebrating a mind that loves to explore and plan.
- Building awareness of patterns and finding wisdom within.
- Finding calm within the storm.
- Befriending one's nervous system and honoring energetic body with idea that "issues lie in tissues".
- Using the breath and/or movement to increase arousal if feeling down or decrease if anxious or agitated.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Exploration of connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
- CBT can be used to treat insomnia. Find out more about CBT-I.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Living in accordance to one's values even if that means tolerating discomfort.
- Getting distance (defusing) from one's thoughts.
- Increasing flexible thinking.
Creative Arts
- Using nonverbal methods for self expression.
- Tapping into one's creativity.
Couples and Family Therapy
- Exploring dynamics in the relationship.
- Enhancing communication (listening and speaking).
- Deepening intimacy.
- Developing healthy and flexible boundaries.
- Honoring multiple truths and increasing validation.
- Helping you understand how you are triggered.
- Helping you cope with differences in the way you think, feel and do things in the relationship.
We are committed to helping you on your healing journey. At Mindful and Multicultural Counseling, we help with multiple concerns, in various ways. Our caring, professional therapists will help with life transitions, trauma therapy, addictions, pregnancy counseling and postpartum therapy, general wellness enhancement, mindfulness and yoga practice. We look forward to connecting with you!