Destiny’s Approach

The answers we seek are always waiting within.

Destiny uses her training in Gestalt Experiential Therapy to guide her clients in identifying and integrating separated or disowned parts of themselves. The goal of the work is to return the client to a greater state of wholeness. This is done through asking questions that provoke new awareness, then, exploring and integrating realizations that surface and developing a plan to achieve the results the client is searching for. Experiments are also used in sessions to enhance awareness and resolve unfinished business. Destiny uses a relational approach through which the client finds their own answers with the support of the relationship and mutual empathetic growth; rather than a top-down approach, where the clinician is above the client, analyzing them. Exploration and interpretation are used to uncover unconscious elements. We tend to reject our true-self to be accepted by others and society. The theraputic relationship creates connectedness and is a primary source for healing where the client can be more whole and authentic seeing that “other people care” and that they can just be themselves and that is enough.

 What is Gestalt Therapy?

By truly staying where one is, already one is changing.

Gestalt Therapy is used to integrate separated parts of one’s self and return them to a greater state of wholeness. Emphasis is placed on the present moment. Our past or our concerns about the future will show up in the present and this is where we have the power to change, grow and heal. The Cycle of Experience is a model used in Gestalt Therapy to represent the cycle by which we get our needs and wants met. At all times we are somewhere on the cycle. Often, because of conditioning, stories or demands of society and relationships, we stop ourselves somewhere on the cycle. This creates disruption and a shattered self. Through Gestalt techniques, the blockages can be discovered, examined and a plan developed to implement behaviors that do not disrupt the Cycle of Experience.

Gestalt Therapy focuses on change rather than just understanding. “Experiments” are used for creative transformation assisting the client in “getting out of their head” and into the present moment. This non-linear approach to “problems” in their life allows the client to have a different creative experience. Through this new creative experience, solutions that were not present before when they were feeling “stuck” can be realized and integrated. An example of an “Experiment” might involve acting out a scenario in the session to resolve unfinished business. Focusing on opposite desires within the client allows disowned parts of themselves to be discovered and a plan for cooperation and integration developed. The use of metaphor, fantasy and imagery are creative tools used for change. Somatic techniques can be used to unlock trauma and trapped emotions in the body that are interrupting the Cycle of Experience. Working with body posture, movement, visualization and even talking to or for parts of the body, brings awareness and change towards becoming more whole.

With greater awareness of one’s body and experiences, choice becomes possible.

 What is Integration Counseling?

When a person has an altered-state-of-consciousness experience, whether through stress, breath-work, or imbibing psychoactive substances, the experience can leave this person feeling overwhelmed, confused or even scared. There is also a good chance the experience will bring about great insight and inspiration. All of these experiences need to be examined, explored and integrated, especially if one is seeking transformation from the altered-state-of-consciousness experience. Exploration and integration will also ease any unpleasant aspects, normalizing the experience and returning the person to a state of peace, understanding and acceptance.

Destiny will sit with you both before and/or after an altered-state-of-consciousness experience to prepare you for and integrate the experience after. Her certification in Psychedelic Guiding and Integration plus experience with past clients has prepared her well. She has developed a protocol of questions that bring one to a space of deep introspection. She uses her training in Gestalt Therapy to guide and assist the client in returning to a greater state of wholeness post experience.