Approach

Maybe your idea of therapy is rooted in media representations that mostly favour checklists and labels, or homework and telling you what you should do. Relational psychotherapy isn’t that - and relational psychotherapy is a foundation to the many ways we work therapeutically, speaking. 

At JLS Therapy, we centre the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and client as the foundations for healing and transformation. Through your stories and experiences, we look at your relational history - that is, the relationships with others in your life and how they have helped form you. These important clues to understanding you will guide us in co-creating new experiences supporting your initial desires that brought you to therapy in the first place. But knowing your lore is only part of the work. How your stories impact you right now. In this space. At this moment. That’s a big slice of the process, too. 

We also understand that a one-size-fits-all lens won’t cut it. We want to collaborate with you, connect with you, and draw from a number of modalities, theories, interventions, approaches, styles, and ideas - to tailor your experience to your needs. You won’t find us following a checklist of steps or rigidly leading you on a journey you don’t wish to take. Oh yeah, and we know from personal experience the variety of challenges we are faced when starting therapy for the first time, or with a new therapist. 

Relational therapy is useful in understanding and working through a variety of issues and emotions.  Perhaps it would help you to talk about:  anger, anxiety, body-image, coming out, depression, emotional numbness, emptiness, family issues, grief, identity crisis, relationship difficulties, ADHD/Autism, sadness, self-esteem, sexuality, shame, shyness, stress, suicidal ideation, trauma - or any number of unlisted thoughts and feelings occupying much of your time and mind. 

Together, we’ll work to understand the patterns of thoughts and feelings, and the power of significant relationships that have helped shape your experience of yourself.

Together, we’ll explore your stories - what makes you you and what may have led you to the place you’re currently in and desire help understanding.

Together, we’ll talk and discover and make space for wonder and curiosity around feelings and struggles.