Our Approach
We provide research-based integrative psychotherapy for children, teens, and adults. Our transformative approach allows clients to develop an integrated perception of reality. Integrated perception (as opposed to compartmentalized perception) helps clients identify and obtain what they deeply want out of life. A natural side effect of this process is the client building a strong sustainable relationship with themselves and others. The Local Realism style combines ACT, CBT, and mindfulness into a well-balanced, accessible approach for a diverse range of clients.
Mind
We are living in a modern world with an ancient brain! The systems of the mind evolved out of the need for survival over 200,000 years ago. Because these systems run on subconscious programming, we are often unaware of just how predetermined our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are. These systems served a very functional purpose for the continuation of the human species; even creating happy thoughts and internal motivation. In a modern context, however, these systems do a lot more harm than good. At Local Realism, we will teach you the mindful coping skills needed to transform your relationship with your thoughts and feelings.
Body
The nervous system takes it’s cues from the brain. Regardless of whether or not there is an actual threat to our safety, if the brain perceives danger, the nervous system pumps our blood stream full of adrenaline and cortisol. This chemical reaction causes physical symptoms. Local Realism psychotherapy is a systems upgrade, teaching you the regulation skills necessary to manage the physical effects of a sympathetic nervous system response.
Brain
A neural pathway is a behavior that requires no thought, or happens “automatically”. Automations are great for tying your shoe or brushing your teeth, but the brain also automates self-destructive behaviors. If self-destruction becomes the path of least resistance, the brain will choose that path every time. That's why we are here-to help you build new pathways. Mindfulness practice has been proven to increase the gray-matter in the hippocampus. This gray-matter is special stuff, it allows your brain to create new self-compassionate neural pathways so the old self-destructive ones can wither away.