Relationship Therapy
We all want (and deserve) to be heard, seen, and validated. We are hard-wired to attach to others, but with that often comes feelings of fear, hesitancy, or uncomfortable vulnerability. Many of us do not have an awareness of how our past experiences are showing up in our current relationships. I have found that even when partners appear to have similar goals, they are frequently not aligned in their ideas of how to achieve them.
With relationships, I primarily use Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT). EFT is evidence-based and considered the gold standard for relationship work. I help clients understand themselves and their partner(s) from an attachment perspective and support clients in identifying the underlying emotions they are experiencing in the relationship. I guide partners to shift their focus from blaming each other to blaming their negative cycles they are stuck in. We will identify these cycles, make sense of them, tend to attachment injuries, and ultimately create new ways of interacting that foster connection, intimacy, and security. By making repairs and (re)building emotional safety, partners are able to shift away from their negative cycles and (re)discover a secure attachment with each other.
​
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud became more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
Individual Therapy
Common goals in individual therapy are to explore the way we attach to other people, discuss sexuality or gender identity, process past traumas, search for underlying causes of anxiety or depression, and learn about healthy communication and boundary setting.
We are often working to reframe negative thought patterns and put new coping techniques into practice.
I utilize a collaborative, attachment-based approach to support my clients in processing through whatever it is that is that they are trying to navigate.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, we will focus on the relationships between family members and the effects those relationships have on the individuals within the family system. Goals of family therapy often include improving communication, setting healthy boundaries, managing conflicts and increasing the amount of positive interactions among family members.
LGBTQIA+ Services
Individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community often face unique challenges and obstacles, and therefore, have unique needs in therapy. I strive to provide an inclusive, affirming space where you feel safe to be the most authentic version of yourself.
​
I am also able to provide referral letters for Hormone Replacement Therapy and Gender-Affirming Surgeries.
Accelerated Resolution
Therapy (ART)
ART works directly to reprogram the way in which distressing memories and images are stored in the brain so that they no longer trigger strong physical and emotional reactions. ART accomplishes this through the use of rapid eye movements similar to eye movements that occur during dreaming.
​
ART has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of presenting issues, including:
-
Post-traumatic stress
-
Negative self-talk
-
Depression
-
Anxiety/phobias
-
Substance use/addictions
-
Relationship issues/infidelity
-
Family issues
-
Grief/loss
Clinical Supervision
My approach to supervision is very similar to my approach to therapy: process-focused, collaborative, and based on a positive working relationship. I am extremely passionate about supporting fellow therapists and helping them find and reach their full potential. I am a Board-Approved Clinical Supervisor for Marriage and Family Therapists in Kansas. If you are interested in receiving supervision or joining a supervision group, please fill out my contact form or email me at Devonie@OpenHeartsKC.com. ​
