Tell Me A Story
You are a person with a story. A continually evolving masterpiece. And your story matters. A lot. Don't let anyone tell you different.
I TRUST THE POWER OF STORIES.
More than anything I want to create a space for you to feel at ease telling your stories. While many counselors and coaches ask lots of question, I'm more likely to invite a story, and then listen deeply. It could be about something that happened today, or it could be a remembered story. Whatever it is, though, it will always contain gems of insight and inner wisdom that you can put to use immediately.
As you let your stories out, you become more resilient and accepting, even if your story hasn't unfolded quite the way you'd planned. And as you recognize the universal themes and patterns that are a part of all stories, you open the door to the gifts there, waiting in the wings.
Then a remarkable thing can happen: you sense that there's a transcendent story within you, waiting to emerge. A larger story, and a larger life. At that point, self-trust deepens, fear transforms, creativity expands, and actions flow towards that larger life. It's quite a beautiful thing to behold.
So I want to know your whole story. Not just the trajectory of your life line, but your dreams and daydreams, your musings and imaginings. All of it.
Please, tell me your story. Tell me of your delights and disturbances, your doubts and certainties. Tell me how your world has been rocked by love and fear. Tell me what it means to you to be real.
"You certainly have an excellent way of helping others 'see for themselves.' And I feel like we have known each other for a LONG while, even if it is a few months."
-N.W.
Beyond Words
Words are wonderful, but they don't always express what you're trying to articulate. So sometimes I may ask you if you'd like to explore a thought, feeling, issue, vision, or story through color, imagery, or some other form of creativity. (You can choose to say no.) Although we never know in the beginning where these journeys into imagination will take us, they often reveal unexpected insight, wisdom and intuition. As a matter of fact, many clients discover that the process opens them up to inspiration and action, as well as an immediate experience of renewal and flow.
"You have a seemingly endless trove of exercises and ideas to lift clients out of their ruts and help them see daylight again." -C.F.
Helpful Tools
I'm a fan of both the Pearson-Marr Archetype Indicator (PMAI) and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
You may not have heard of the PMAI, but it goes a step beyond the MBTI, to the place where inner
energies and characters reside. It helps you tune in to the
archetypes and stories that are most active in your life, guiding you to your deeper self. In the process you may also find that a particular archetypal pattern is exerting an undue amount of influence over your life. Once you understand its story, though, it becomes easier to take back control and move forward. Like the MBTI,
the PMAI is well-researched and based on the work of Carl Jung. I had the good
fortune to study with its creator, Carol Pearson, who also wrote, Awakening
the Heroes Within.
I also
use the MBTI. It helps you to identify your personality preferences and unique
gifts. You can use the information to better understand yourself, your
motivations, your strengths, and potential areas for growth. It provides key
insights about purposeful work, relationship enhancement, communication,
personal growth, and professional development. It's also based on Jung's theories
and is backed by years of research. I'm fully qualified to administer it.
