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This is near Wolf Creek in Montana

When we act or feel a certain way, it often makes sense when seen in light of our surroundings and relationships. That's why it can be valuable to involve more than just one person in therapy, helping to uncover the bigger picture.

 

We're all influenced by the people around us, the places we're in, and our cultural backgrounds. In therapy, this approach means we don't just look at feelings or behaviors on their own, but understand where they're coming from. It's like piecing together a puzzle. By doing this, therapy can be more personalized, diving deeper and aiming for lasting positive change by exploring the full story of our experiences.

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Instead of seeing behaviors in isolation, this approach acknowledges their roots in the broader context. Through this lens, therapy can offer more tailored interventions, leading to deeper and more lasting healing by comprehending the intertwined nature of individual experiences.

Welcome to Harnessing Serenity Together: Anxiety Management  

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Embark on a journey of self-discovery, knowledge, and personal growth. Usually, anxiety doesn't solely affect one individual; often, both partners in a relationship feel its impact. This course is tailored for couples, aiming to address anxiety collaboratively and strengthen their bond. Through this experience, you'll gain practical tools from both Eastern and Western traditions to manage and overcome anxiety's challenges. 

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This is not couples counseling, but couples grow closer as they learn ways to manage anxiety. We'll delve into understanding anxiety, its impacts on individuals and relationships, and navigate through the wisdom of  philosophy and its approaches to mental wellness. My aim is to cultivate a safe, nurturing environment where you can enhance your ability to  manage anxiety holistically. 

Couples Anxiety Management Class: 1:1 private sessions

Below is a basic overview of what we can discuss in our sessions together.

 

Introduction and Understanding Anxiety

  • An overview of anxiety, its impacts on individuals and relationships

  • Understanding the body's response to stress

  • Understanding how Nervous System impacts our mind (Deb Dana Work)

  • Overview of polyvagal theory and its relevance to anxiety

  • Understanding the three states of the nervous system and how they impact anxiety

  • Techniques for regulating the nervous system and reducing anxiety

Love and Relationships

  • Different forms of love

  • The role of compassion in love

  • Nurturing love in the face of anxiety

Somatic Movement and Meditation for Anxiety Management

  • Overview and principles of Meditation

  • Breathing exercises (Pranayama)

  • Meditation techniques

  • Partner yoga practices (very gentle movements)

  • EFT (also know as tapping)

  • Nutrition and Gut Health

  • Connection to nature (mindfulness)

  • Energy healing practices

  • Journaling and expressive writing for listening to intuition

Mindfulness and its role in Anxiety Management

  • The concept and practice of mindfulness

  • Mindfulness techniques for daily life

  • Mindful communication

  • Introduction to mindfulness as a tool for increasing self-awareness

  • Practice mindfulness exercises aimed at enhancing self-awareness

  • Reflection and discussion on personal insights from mindfulness exercises

Building Emotional Resilience

  • Understanding emotional resilience

  • Strategies for building resilience

  • Practicing resilience as a couple

  • Factors that Influence Resilience
    Identification of internal and external factors that can affect resilience
    Interactive discussion and reflection on personal factors affecting resilience

  • Strategies for maintaining resilience during times of stress or crisis

  • Sharing of personal strategies and techniques for resilience

  • Guided meditation focused on resilience and inner strength

  • Steps to create a personal and couple-focused resilience plan

Cultivating Positive Emotions

  • Techniques to foster optimism, gratitude, and joy

  • Practice gratitude and joy-inducing exercises - kindness meditation

  • Reflection and sharing of experiences

Trust and Love Building Activities

  • Trust exercises for couples

  • Expressing love and appreciation

  • Understanding the impact of positive affirmations and appreciation on cultivating love in relationships.

  • Techniques for expressing love and appreciation effectively.

  • Activity: Practicing expressing love and appreciation to each other using newly learned techniques

Resilient Communication

  • Techniques for effective, empathetic communication

  • Role-playing exercises to practice resilient communication

  • Discussion on experiences and challenges with communication

  • Understanding the role of honesty, transparency, and active listening in building trust.

  • Practical techniques for improving communication, including 'I' statements, non-verbal communication, and empathetic listening.

  • Role-playing activities to practice these communication skills.

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Couples can learn how to come together when feeling anxious or stressed as a way to help regulate their minds and body and build a stronger connection in the process. 

Session will vary based on couples goals and personal beliefs

Systematic approach to therapy 

At its core, the idea of a systematic perspective on life is rooted in understanding the interconnectedness of our experiences and our surroundings. 

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  1. Interconnectedness of Life, Much like gears in a machine or nodes in a network, everything in life is connected in some way. Our behaviors, emotions, and beliefs don't exist in a vacuum; they're shaped by a myriad of factors.

  2. Influence of People,  From our earliest caregivers to our peers, friends, and even acquaintances, people leave indelible marks on our psyche. These influences can manifest in our values, our fears, our aspirations, and even in our day-to-day behaviors.

  3. Environment's Role, The physical and emotional environments in which we grow up and live play a crucial role in shaping our perceptions. Factors like socioeconomic status, exposure to nature or urban settings, or access to education can deeply impact our mental and emotional well-being.

  4. Cultural Imprints,  Culture isn't just about the music we listen to or the food we eat. It shapes our belief systems, our views on what's "normal" or "abnormal", our approaches to conflict, love, success, and failure. These cultural imprints can sometimes be so deeply ingrained that we don't even recognize them.

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Now, when you apply this systematic lens to therapy, it becomes clear why this perspective is vital:

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  • Holistic Understanding: By recognizing the myriad of external and internal factors that contribute to an individual's current state, therapists can gain a deeper, more holistic understanding of the issues at hand.

  • Root Cause Analysis: Instead of merely addressing symptoms, a systematic approach allows therapists to delve deeper and potentially uncover the root causes of certain behaviors or emotions.

  • Personalized Interventions: Understanding an individual's system allows therapists to tailor interventions that are not just aligned with the person's needs but also with their environment and cultural context.

  • Fostering Connectivity: By acknowledging and discussing the systems an individual is a part of, therapy can foster a sense of belonging and help individuals navigate their spaces more healthily and authentically.

 

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