Often we turn to psychotherapy when the rug has been pulled out from under us, whether from loss, shifting identities, or insight into the pain we are experiencing. The shock of this loss of footing can leave us uncertain and off-balance. We long for some sense of reliability and certainty, some sense of ground.
According to Contemplative Psychotherapy, this uncertainty and disorientation is not actually a problem, and in fact, within this very experience, there could be the opportunity to extend some kindness to ourselves, to actually include more of what it means to be fully human.In Buddhist psychology, there is a lot of emphasis on impermanence, how nothing is solid or fixed, how everything is groundless.
The paradox is that when one can relax with the groundlessness, there can actually be a sense of ground in the groundlessness: a ground that is unconditional, not dependent on external circumstances and therefore indestructible and completely trustworthy. Finding Ground Psychotherapy is tribute to this inherent capacity we all have.
According to Contemplative Psychotherapy, this uncertainty and disorientation is not actually a problem, and in fact, within this very experience, there could be the opportunity to extend some kindness to ourselves, to actually include more of what it means to be fully human.In Buddhist psychology, there is a lot of emphasis on impermanence, how nothing is solid or fixed, how everything is groundless.
The paradox is that when one can relax with the groundlessness, there can actually be a sense of ground in the groundlessness: a ground that is unconditional, not dependent on external circumstances and therefore indestructible and completely trustworthy. Finding Ground Psychotherapy is tribute to this inherent capacity we all have.
Services
Lodi Siefer is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a Master of Arts in Contemplative Psychotherapy from Naropa University.
She* has worked in a variety of community mental health agencies and has experience working with trauma, grief, transitions, body image, gender identity, depression and anxiety, crisis, addictions, interpersonal challenges, and survivors of intimate partner violence.
Interested in Buddhism since studying religion as an undergraduate at Wesleyan University, Lodi is delighted to follow a psychotherapy approach that combines the best of ancient Eastern philosophy and modern Western psychology.
She* has worked in a variety of community mental health agencies and has experience working with trauma, grief, transitions, body image, gender identity, depression and anxiety, crisis, addictions, interpersonal challenges, and survivors of intimate partner violence.
Interested in Buddhism since studying religion as an undergraduate at Wesleyan University, Lodi is delighted to follow a psychotherapy approach that combines the best of ancient Eastern philosophy and modern Western psychology.
Simply put, trauma is more than a person's system can handle at that time.
Psychological trauma can stem from physical, emotional or spiritual causes.
Trauma is stored in the body until it can be processed and integrated.
It cannot be treated through an intellectual understanding alone, but must be accessed through direct experience.
Before it is safe to work through trauma, a client needs resources, stability, and a strong holding environment.
One of the tenets of Contemplative Psychotherapy is that our basic nature, our inherent health, is indestructible.
Psychological trauma can stem from physical, emotional or spiritual causes.
Trauma is stored in the body until it can be processed and integrated.
It cannot be treated through an intellectual understanding alone, but must be accessed through direct experience.
Before it is safe to work through trauma, a client needs resources, stability, and a strong holding environment.
One of the tenets of Contemplative Psychotherapy is that our basic nature, our inherent health, is indestructible.
Impermanence and change are an inextricable part of life.
This means that grief and loss are likewise an inextricable part of the human experience.
This is not a problem, though it can feel like one because grief and loss can be extremely intense, disorienting, and painful.
We often struggle with the range of emotions that accompany loss: sadness, anger, betrayal, depression, relief, guilt, despair, and numbness, among others.
Mainstream American culture does not support the full process of grief but rather urges people to skip over the loss and "get over it" or "move on."
This means that grief and loss are likewise an inextricable part of the human experience.
This is not a problem, though it can feel like one because grief and loss can be extremely intense, disorienting, and painful.
We often struggle with the range of emotions that accompany loss: sadness, anger, betrayal, depression, relief, guilt, despair, and numbness, among others.
Mainstream American culture does not support the full process of grief but rather urges people to skip over the loss and "get over it" or "move on."
Lodi has significant experience working with clients who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer (LGBTQ).
Sometimes sexual orientation or gender identity is a recent aspect of one's sense of self and is the primary impetus behind seeking a supportive therapeutic process.
Other times one's LGBTQ identity is not in the forefront and other aspects of life are calling for attention.
Clients in this situation may still appreciate working with someone who has a lot of experience with the LGBTQ community.
Sometimes sexual orientation or gender identity is a recent aspect of one's sense of self and is the primary impetus behind seeking a supportive therapeutic process.
Other times one's LGBTQ identity is not in the forefront and other aspects of life are calling for attention.
Clients in this situation may still appreciate working with someone who has a lot of experience with the LGBTQ community.
Lodi leads ongoing process groups for individuals who are wishing to use the group experience as a tool for greater self-awareness as well as increased interpersonal effectiveness.
The developing and ongoing relationships between group members provide the opportunity to work in the here-and-now to learn about one's impact, improve communication skills, and discover habitual patterns.
We find ourselves in groups all the time, be it at work, school, our family at home or a bus ride with strangers.
The developing and ongoing relationships between group members provide the opportunity to work in the here-and-now to learn about one's impact, improve communication skills, and discover habitual patterns.
We find ourselves in groups all the time, be it at work, school, our family at home or a bus ride with strangers.
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