In holistic therapy, your tears, fears and joys—along with everything in between—will be greeted with open arms. This is a space designed for you to share openly. Unedited, raw and perhaps even unfiltered.
Therapy informed by holistic approaches aims to welcome all of you.
Holistic therapy is where you are invited to unlearn habits of holding things in. First off, keeping things to yourself can be so much work! Regardless of habits learned long-ago to keep quiet, make yourself small, to hide or attempt to be invisible, of course you also want to be seen, heard and understood. The latter are fundamental needs, which foster connection and contribute to feelings of belonging.
With holistic therapy approaches, Michele Kong aims to provide a refuge for:
- Clarifying your own values and beliefs
- Learning effective communication
- Exploring roadblocks and obstacles
- Navigating racial and cultural identity issues
- Discovering greater self-expression
- Sorting family and cultural dynamics
- Examining inner conflicts and dilemmas
- Unearthing hidden needs and desires
- Sharing things you often keep to yourself
- Learning healthy boundaries
Holistic therapy emphasizes you in relationship, that is how you navigate different contexts including: family, social groups, communities, institutions, cultures and major systems of our society. In other words, I utilize a systems approach, and will examine things with you through lenses of sociocultural, historical, organizational and global dynamics. In time, we will look at these various, interdependent facets of your life together.
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Holistic therapy includes:
- Creativity, laughter and play
- Mindfulness to develop consciousness and presence
- Acceptance of every behavior, coping strategy and emotion as having an important function
- Honoring values and highlighting strengths
- Shadow and parts work to better understand inner critics, bullies, protectors, perfectionists and their companions
- Experimentation in order to fulfill your most heartfelt longings
- Other artful ways to uncover deeper meanings
Perhaps you have had prior talk-therapy experiences. Despite your dedication, now you may be looking for something different. Generally, you have gained awareness of your patterns. Yet, continuing to talk about the same issues isn’t resulting in feeling different. Committed and motivated so far, you want to find what can help you get unstuck.
You likely have friends and relatives who probably mean well. In the end, you might be finding that it isn’t the kind of support you truly need. Not to mention the unsolicited advice and opinions!
What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic Therapy
self-protective responses
and alleviate traumatic stress
Meanwhile, yoga, meditation or other body-mind practices may have unearthed things for you to look at more closely with a trained professional.
Heal from trauma
Mostly, you are seeking relief and tangible change.
Of course, you want to live your best life.
Undeniably, you really need a neutral space to hear your own thoughts. In essence, a sounding board. Overall, someone who listens deeply to you. You wish for ways to re-focus on you… and perhaps your soul’s intentions for being here. Finally, to bring your desires and dreams into reality.
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Common struggles:
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Career dissatisfaction
- Crossroads and life transitions
- Difficulties speaking up
- Grief, loss and bereavement
- Heartbreak
- Loneliness and isolation
- Low self-esteem
- People-pleasing
- Social anxiety
- Unfulfilling relationships
Holistic therapy can appeal to many, yet the journey has varied terrain. At first, you may find relief from having professional support and a compassionate witness. Straightaway, you may make incremental changes and feel encouraged.
Holistic therapy for:
- Change-makers
- Creatives
- Educators
- Healthcare workers
- High-achievers
- Mission-driven professionals
- Perfectionists
- Yogis and meditators
- BIPOC
- Chameleons
- Immigrants and Refugees
- Descendants thereof i.e.
- 1.5, 2nd, 3rd…generation
- Multi-lingual and multicultural
- Multi-racial
- Nonconformists
- Outliers and marginalized folk
Of course, in therapy of any kind you will experience forward movements. Then, you may feel like you’ve backtracked. Some steps along the way may feel really difficult and challenging. The road might open up. Then, narrow, wind and twist. Later, you will leap ahead re-inspired again. All of these movements are natural for change, growth and healing.
In short, holistic therapy encourages you to make space for all of it. By embracing the ups and downs, holistic therapy will inevitably empower you to meet whatever life presents you with wholeheartedness.
