What is Anthroposophic Counseling/Psychotherapy?
- It is an extension of current theories of psychotherapeutic thought, such as Attachment Theory, that examines the complexities of the development of the physical, soul and spiritual aspects of the life of the human being during this life time.
- It is a therapeutic process that is guided by each individual’s unique biography.
- It looks at an individual’s sacred and primal wounding as a path towards transformation and healing.
- It is health focused (Salutogenesis) rather than disorder based.
- It may begin to explore the evolutionary development of one’s soul and the karmic relationships that have developed for the individual.
- It addresses short term difficulties, such as behavior problems in school or major life changes, as well as long term explorations of one’s path towards their destiny.
- Anthroposophic Psychology integrates the development of the soul and spirit with modern streams of psychology. It is based on the work of Rudolf Steiner and developed further by Ad Dekkers, Henrietta Dekkers, William Bento, James Dyson,Roberta Nelson, David Tresemer, Rudolf Treichler, among many others.
- Understanding that life is rhythmically unfolding through developmental stages, Anthroposophic Counseling aims to bring awareness of our patterns of the past and the challenges they may bring to our future. The main focus of Anthroposophic Counseling is to strengthen our individuality and support our developmental stage in order to transform crises and stressors into stepping stones.
What methods do you use during a session?
Methods used depend upon a person's stage of development and circumstance, but may include: talk therapy, journaling, biography work, artistic expression, sand tray and others.
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in therapy. Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn.
What is therapy like?
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session. Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development. Either way, it is most common to schedule regular sessions with your therapist (usually weekly).
It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.
Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and therapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team, but by law your therapist cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.
However, there are exceptions. State law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
* If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threated to harm another person
