Contemplative Therapy
Online throughout Massachusetts and Virginia
(available in most states starting late 2024).
In-person Walk and Talk sessions in Central Virginia
Why Contemplative Psychotherapy?
If you’ve been feeling emotionally overwhelmed and it’s affecting your sleep, work, or relationships, it may be time to reach out for some additional support from an experienced therapist.
Michelle integrates reflective psychotherapy techniques with science-based contemplative practices such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises within each therapy session to help you reset your nervous system.
Contemplative psychotherapy is a powerful approach to mental and emotional well-being, particularly if you are interested in greater self-awareness, learning how to work with your thoughts and emotions, and developing a more compassionate attitude toward yourself and others.
Steeped in the scientific study of contemplative practices and having conducted research on them in the Himalayan regions, Michelle’s cutting-edge process takes the guess work out of helping clients transform their minds and relieve mental health challenges using a proven framework.
Holistic Approach
Longstanding stress and anxiety begin to affect other areas of your life. You may notice you’re not able to concentrate or think clearly, you get caught in spirals of overthinking, become irritable with loved ones and colleagues, you rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms, you’re not taking care of your body (nutrition, exercise, stress management), and you’re unable to fall asleep or stay asleep.
This is why it’s not enough to only address your thoughts and emotions. For sustainable, long-term emotional well-being and transformation of your sleep, it’s vital to build in a supportive lifestyle too.
We’ll begin by identifying what areas of your life feel out of balance so we can create a personalized plan to help you cultivate emotional wellness in daily life. Taking an individualized approach to address your particular needs, we’ll incorporate various evidence-based tools, including meditation and mind-body practices, cognitive-behavioral and acceptance techniques to work with thought patterns and limiting beliefs, interpersonal skills, and lifestyle interventions to bring more ease and balance to daily living.
Working with me as your guide, you will learn:
- Various ways to regulate your nervous system with mind-body techniques
- How to train your mind to renew your self-confidence
- Ways to incorporate nutrition, exercise, social connection, and sleep hygiene to restore mental clarity
- How to align your choices with your values for more fulfillment in all areas of your life
MAYBE YOU’RE THINKING…
“But I’m just stressed and should be able to figure this out…”
If you find yourself constantly worrying and struggling to cope with stress or anxiety, you’re not alone. Millions of people worldwide suffer from stress and anxiety every day.
Stress can be caused by various factors such as work, relationships, finances, or health issues and because it is initiated by a situation or circumstances, it generally passes when a situation is over or shortly thereafter.
Anxiety on the other hand, is not necessarily related to a specific situation or event. Sometimes what starts as stress in response to a particular situation, if not managed, can spread beyond the original stressor and turn into a persistent feeling of worry or anxiety that interferes with your plans and can lead to additional health problems.
Effects on the body and mind include physical symptoms such as muscle tension, headaches, and fatigue, and psychological symptoms such as excessive worry, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of apprehension or dread.
However, it is possible to manage stress and anxiety effectively with the right strategies and techniques.
potential benefits of
Contemplative Psychotherapy
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Increased self-awareness
- Improved relationships
- Increased emotional regulation
- Increased sense of meaning and purpose
- Increased long-term resilience
HOW DO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICES IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH?
The extensive research on the health benefits of meditation, yoga, and other mind-body practices demonstrates that for many people, these practices can be more effective than traditional mental health interventions, particularly when tailored to your needs in a comprehensive framework of mental well-being.
At the Contemplative Practice Lab, I take a holistic approach to health and wellness because traditional talk therapy is often insufficient for the people we work with.
Incorporating contemplative practices into treatment sessions creates an opportunity to learn how to calm the mind, release tension in the body, and ultimately transform your mental health.
Moreover, contemplative practices can be easily added to your daily routine to help you decrease stress and anxiety and increase overall well-being and happiness.
Together, we will develop a personalized plan based on your interests and needs.