Narrative therapy is a powerful therapeutic approach that views individuals as the authors of their own stories. It focuses on how people interpret and make sense of their lives and experiences. Central to this approach is the belief that the stories we tell ourselves shape our identities, behaviors, and relationships. When clients are able to reframe or rewrite their personal narratives, they can experience a shift in perspective, leading to healing and empowerment.

In narrative therapy, the therapist works collaboratively with the client to explore the stories that have defined their lives, particularly those that may be limiting, harmful, or unhelpful. These stories are seen not as truths, but as interpretations that can be rewritten. The therapist helps the client identify the problem-saturated narratives that are holding them back and guides them in creating alternative, more empowering stories that align with their values and goals.

Narrative therapy is especially effective for individuals dealing with trauma, grief, depression, and anxiety. It allows them to explore and process their experiences in a way that is not solely defined by the trauma itself, but by their ability to rewrite their future. It emphasizes strengths, resilience, and the power of choice in reclaiming one’s narrative.

At Taanishi, we offer narrative therapy as a tool for self-discovery, healing, and growth. By re-examining and rewriting the stories we live by, you can find a deeper sense of meaning, clarity, and direction. Let’s work together to explore your story and create a new chapter filled with possibility.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic approach that recognizes the mind as made up of distinct parts, each with its own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. These parts often stem from different experiences in life and may function as protectors, managers, or exiles, each playing a role in how we interact with the world.

In IFS, these parts are seen as contributing to an individual’s overall system, and therapy aims to help these parts communicate and work together harmoniously. Rather than seeing these parts as something to be suppressed or eliminated, IFS encourages individuals to understand and integrate them. The goal is to create a balance where each part can function in a healthy way, leading to emotional healing and personal growth.

Parts work in IFS can be especially helpful for those who have experienced trauma, anxiety, depression, or complex emotions. It allows clients to explore and heal parts of themselves that may have been hidden, neglected, or stuck in negative patterns. By reconnecting with these parts and understanding their roles, individuals can gain insight into how they function and start to heal from past wounds.

At Taanishi, we use IFS as a powerful tool for inner healing and self-discovery. It helps individuals reclaim their sense of balance and agency by reconnecting with the many aspects of themselves that have shaped their experiences. Together, we can help you navigate and integrate these parts, bringing you closer to a sense of wholeness and well-being.

Mindfulness is a foundational tool in my therapeutic approach, helping clients develop greater awareness, presence, and emotional regulation. In my practice, mindfulness is used to guide clients in becoming more attuned to their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, enabling them to respond to life’s challenges with greater clarity and balance. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, or depression, mindfulness offers powerful techniques to foster healing and self-compassion.

Through mindfulness practices, clients learn to observe their thoughts and emotions without judgment, allowing them to break free from the cycle of negative thinking and self-criticism. This awareness helps clients develop a more grounded and compassionate relationship with themselves, which can be particularly transformative for those struggling with past wounds or overwhelming emotional experiences.

I integrate mindfulness into therapy in several ways. For example, I use mindful breathing exercises to help clients center themselves in moments of stress or anxiety. I also introduce guided mindfulness meditation techniques to enhance self-awareness and promote relaxation. In addition, mindfulness is woven into narrative work, parts work, and other therapeutic modalities I use, as it allows clients to become more present and connected to their internal experiences.This is particularly beneficial for those who struggle with depression, trauma, or racing thoughts, as it offers a way to ground themselves in the here and now.

Overall, mindfulness in therapy fosters emotional resilience, self-compassion, and healing, supporting clients in cultivating a deeper sense of peace and understanding in their lives.

Humanistic therapy is a client-centered approach that emphasizes the importance of personal growth, self-awareness, and the inherent potential for individuals to lead fulfilling lives. Rooted in the belief that every person has the capacity for self-healing and personal development, humanistic therapy encourages clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a non-judgmental, supportive environment.

At its core, humanistic therapy is about fostering a strong, authentic connection between the therapist and the client. This approach is often associated with figures like Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, who emphasized the importance of self-actualization—the process of becoming the best version of oneself. Humanistic therapy views clients as the experts in their own lives, with the therapist serving as a guide who offers empathy, unconditional positive regard, and active listening to help the client explore their emotions and life experiences.

One key aspect of humanistic therapy is the focus on the present moment and personal choice. It encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and decisions, empowering them to create positive change in their lives. This approach is especially effective for those who feel disconnected from themselves, struggle with low self-esteem, or face challenges related to identity or life transitions.

In my practice, I integrate humanistic principles to create a warm, compassionate space where clients can reconnect with their authentic selves. By providing a non-judgmental, empathetic environment, I help clients gain a deeper understanding of their experiences, strengthen their sense of self-worth, and empower them to make positive changes in their lives. Humanistic therapy is not just about addressing issues—it’s about nurturing the whole person and helping them tap into their innate potential for growth and healing.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, goal-oriented therapeutic approach designed to help individuals explore and resolve ambivalence about behavior change. Developed by psychologists William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick, MI focuses on enhancing motivation and increasing the likelihood of positive behavioral changes, especially in areas like addiction recovery, health management, and lifestyle changes.

MI is based on the understanding that people often have mixed feelings about change. They may desire improvement but feel uncertain or conflicted about the steps needed. Instead of using confrontation or persuasion, MI creates a supportive and non-judgmental space where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings. The therapist works with the client to evoke their intrinsic motivation, helping them recognize their own reasons for change and build confidence in their ability to achieve their goals.

Key elements of MI include active listening, reflective questioning, and exploring both the pros and cons of change. The therapist helps the client recognize and amplify their strengths, values, and aspirations, which can lead to a greater sense of commitment to change. Importantly, MI respects the client’s autonomy and recognizes that the pace and direction of change must be led by the client.

In my practice, I use Motivational Interviewing to help clients move through uncertainty and resistance, whether in regard to making healthier choices, overcoming obstacles, or navigating life transitions. By fostering an open and empathetic dialogue, MI helps clients gain clarity, strengthen their resolve, and take actionable steps toward achieving their goals.

Eco Mapping Therapy is a therapeutic tool used to help individuals explore and understand the various systems and relationships that impact their lives. The term “eco-map” is derived from the word “ecosystem” and is used to visualize how a person is connected to different social, environmental, and familial systems. It helps clients examine their interactions with key aspects of their world—family, work, community, and the environment—offering valuable insights into how these systems influence their well-being and life choices.

In Eco Mapping Therapy, an eco-map is created as a diagram that maps out important people, organizations, and institutions in a person’s life, highlighting the nature and quality of those connections. By visualizing relationships and connections, individuals can better understand how external factors, such as support networks, community resources, and societal systems, are affecting their mental health, behaviors, and decisions. It also identifies areas where there may be imbalances, such as unhealthy relationships or lack of social support, which can be addressed through therapeutic intervention.

This tool is particularly useful for people who are feeling overwhelmed by multiple life stresses or those who are going through major life transitions, such as a career change, relocation, or a significant loss. By gaining a clearer perspective on the systems that influence their lives, clients can make more informed choices, strengthen supportive connections, and take steps to resolve areas of conflict or dissatisfaction.

In my practice, I use eco-mapping to help clients reflect on the complex web of relationships, environments, and systems they interact with daily. It allows for a deeper understanding of how external forces shape their experiences and provides the clarity needed to navigate personal challenges. By mapping out these connections, clients can more effectively identify areas where change or support is needed, empowering them to create healthier, more balanced lives.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective, evidence-based therapeutic approach that focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The core idea behind CBT is that negative or unhelpful thought patterns can lead to emotional distress and unhealthy behaviors, while changing these thought patterns can improve emotional well-being and lead to healthier behaviors.

In CBT, clients work with a therapist to identify distorted or unproductive thinking patterns, such as catastrophizing, overgeneralizing, or all-or-nothing thinking. Once these thought patterns are recognized, the therapist helps the client challenge and reframe them into more balanced, realistic thoughts. This process helps reduce negative emotions, such as anxiety, depression, and stress, and allows clients to approach situations with a clearer, more rational perspective.

CBT also emphasizes the importance of behavior change. It teaches clients how to engage in new, healthier behaviors that support their mental well-being. This may involve learning coping strategies, practicing relaxation techniques, or setting goals to reinforce positive changes in everyday life.

This approach is particularly effective for individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, and other emotional challenges. It is often short-term and goal-oriented, empowering clients to become more active participants in their healing process.

In my practice, I use CBT to help clients break the cycle of negative thinking and develop practical tools for managing their emotions and behaviors. By learning to identify and reshape their thoughts, clients can experience lasting improvements in their emotional health and overall quality of life.

Feminist therapy is an approach to counseling that focuses on understanding and addressing the social, cultural, and political factors that shape an individual’s experience, particularly through the lens of gender, power, and inequality. This therapeutic model emphasizes the importance of recognizing and challenging systemic oppression, sexism, and other forms of discrimination that affect mental health and well-being. It encourages individuals, particularly women and marginalized groups, to examine how these societal forces have influenced their personal experiences, identity, and sense of self.

At its core, feminist therapy is collaborative, focusing on equality between the therapist and client. The therapist works alongside the client to explore the impact of gender roles, societal expectations, and power dynamics on their lives. Feminist therapy also prioritizes the validation of diverse identities and experiences, particularly for those who may face intersecting forms of oppression, such as those based on race, class, sexuality, or disability.

One of the key tenets of feminist therapy is the idea that personal problems often have roots in larger social contexts. Therefore, therapy doesn’t just focus on individual issues but seeks to empower clients by acknowledging and addressing the broader societal structures that contribute to their struggles. It also challenges traditional therapeutic models that may reinforce power imbalances, offering instead a more inclusive and supportive space for healing.

Feminist therapy often incorporates techniques from other therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or narrative therapy, but always through the lens of gender equality and social justice. It seeks to dismantle the societal messages that contribute to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, or oppression, empowering clients to reclaim their autonomy and create positive change in their lives.

In my practice, feminist therapy is a way to empower clients to understand how their experiences are shaped by external forces, while supporting them in reclaiming their voice, autonomy, and agency. Together, we explore the ways in which society’s expectations and power structures may have impacted their sense of self and provide tools for healing that honor their unique identities and experiences.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on helping individuals accept their thoughts and feelings while committing to behaviors that align with their core values. Unlike traditional approaches that focus on reducing or eliminating unwanted thoughts and emotions, ACT encourages clients to embrace these experiences without judgment and use them as tools for positive change.

ACT is built around six core processes: acceptance, cognitive defusion, present moment awareness, self-as-context, values clarification, and committed action. The goal is to help individuals become more mindful and aware of their thoughts and emotions while developing psychological flexibility, allowing them to take meaningful action even in the presence of discomfort or challenging emotions.

1. Acceptance involves embracing unpleasant feelings rather than avoiding them.

2. Cognitive defusion helps clients separate themselves from their thoughts and view them as mere mental events rather than facts.

3. Present moment awareness encourages clients to focus on the here and now, reducing anxiety about past or future concerns.

4. Self-as-context promotes the understanding that we are not defined by our thoughts, feelings, or experiences.

5. Values clarification helps individuals clarify what matters most to them, creating a sense of direction and purpose.

6. Committed action involves taking consistent steps toward living in accordance with one’s values, even in the face of challenges.

ACT is particularly effective for people dealing with anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and trauma. It fosters resilience by promoting acceptance of difficult emotions and encourages taking actionable steps toward a more meaningful, value-driven life.

In my practice, I integrate ACT principles to help clients develop greater emotional flexibility, cope with difficult emotions, and create a life that is fulfilling and true to their authentic selves. Whether you’re struggling with self-doubt, difficult emotions, or life transitions, ACT can help you navigate these challenges by fostering a more compassionate and proactive approach to life.