I strive for my therapy style to be:
Relational- our relationship is foundational and prioritized.
Authentic - who are you, really? I want to know!
Strengths-based - we all have many, let's hone in on yours.
Trauma-informed - what has happened to you? How does this impact your life?
Existential/ purpose-seeking - what is life (I don't know, either!) but, how can we find meaning for you?
Compassion-focused - I have a fresh supply for you and let's replenish your own for yourself!
Narrative - story-telling and sharing is part of human nature.
There is an Icelandic term, "Ratiljóst", which means "enough light to find your way by". Someone once shared a metaphor and the imagery of it has stuck with me. A client and a counsellor are walking through a dark cave (the mind); although the client is guiding them (they know this cave best), the counsellor is following close behind with a candle/flashlight, simply shining a light on the hidden places or spots the client perhaps cannot see. This is truly how I see the counselling process... and my hope, always, is for us is to gather "enough light to find your way by".