Hello Everyone!

So, maybe you have read my bio on the GT Therapy website and you know a little bit about the work I do and who I work with, but what do I actually do in therapy? My honest answer is that it varies from person to person because I know no one is exactly alike. I approach therapy in a very person-centered way. I do not believe therapy needs to be formal and you do not need to come in with a definitive problem every time because I find value within your everyday stories. I try to find your strengths within the stories you tell me and explore them more to be able to utilize them when life is tough.

I am an integrative yoga teacher and that does come out in my therapeutic process at times, especially if someone requests it in their therapeutic experience. For me bringing yoga into therapy means that I feel the mind and body have a very strong connection and at times of stress, feelings of intense emotion, or lack of rest, the mind-body connection can become disconnected and feel disorienting. Through breath work, meditation, and body awareness exercises, people can feel connected again.

I am also a realist and know that coming to see a therapist can feel intimidating, scary, and, well, awkward. I commit to doing my very best to ease these feelings so you can talk to me about anything that comes to mind to generate a conversation and explore your vulnerabilities. Wait, vulnerability? Yes, this can be uncomfortable at times, but I believe that a lot of change begins to happen when we explore them (thanks for the research, Brené Brown) and will always give it my best to make you feel safe enough to get to this point.

I gently encourage everyone to show me all sides of their personality, even those less than desirable qualities we all have because this is your space to let it all out without a filter. We tend to censor ourselves a lot because we don’t want to hurt others, we fear judgement, or for any other personal reasons, so having a space to talk to someone without worry can be so therapeutic. I mean, it can be absolutely exhausting to hold back everything, right?

But what about the judgement that you may think will come from me or what if I don’t give you the attention you believe you need? Well, lucky for you, I do believe and practice, yes, you guessed it, the ever so popular term, mindfulness* (I am a yoga teacher and teach yoga in my practice, what did you expect?). I will be present for you in your times of need and I will sit with you in times of discomfort.

Who do I enjoy working with? I love working with a variety of different people. I work with young children who may be experiencing difficult relationships and the world for the first time; adolescents who I believe need a space to be heard through the challenging transition into adulthood; young adults who may be coping with actual “adulting”; couples who may need help communicating with each other to find a deeper and more intimate connection; and families who may wish they could be closer and be able to talk to each other more effectively.

So, that is a glimpse of me and how I conduct therapy. I hope this was helpful. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have or if you feel like I may be a good fit for you, your child, or your family. Much metta** to you!

*Just in case you haven’t learned the definition of mindfulness, here it is: “paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” –Jon Kabat-Zinn

**Metta: Loving-kindness, friendliness, goodwill, benevolence

- Anastasia

To learn more about Anastasia, visit Our Team page here!

Meet Anastasia