Marriage and Family Therapy Discussions
Psychotherapy and The Cultivation of Non-Violence with Simone Weit
by Sierra Sparks, MFT on 09/03/19
I’ve been asked “what is therapy
all about” and my response was always pretty deflective because I struggled to
sum it up in a way that was probably true for all therapists regardless of
their theoretical orientation. Recently however it occurred to me that therapy
in its most general form is actually a practice designed to cultivate
non-violence. Many spiritual and philosophical traditions have tenets or
doctrines that advocate for non-violence. A number of these traditions expand
the idea of what non-violence means to include the rejection of violent
thoughts and actions against the self. When non-violence is viewed as precept
that applies not just towards externalized actions but also our internal
experience and self-perception, it stands to reason that therapy is essentially
a system that has been devised to cultivate non-violence.
Although psychotherapy involves a
pantheon of different methodologies and systems of care, a unifying goal of
these approaches appears to be the reduction of violence of individuals toward
themselves and others. It also follows that reducing violence within family
systems and broader communities is inextricably linked to resolving
self-directed violence of individuals who live in toxic systems. In other words,
the most complete vision of a therapist is not only to reduce violence on the
individual level but also within the families and communities that are
connected to that individual. For this reason,
the role of therapists increasingly includes broader advocacy and activism to
restore a sense of peace and equity in communities and families.
I realize now that what initially
drew me to become a therapist was my desire to heal individuals so that cycles
of intergenerational trauma and self-directed violence can end. To allow people
to resolve their entanglement with the energetic parasite of trauma. This is a
contribution not just to single clients but to all of the other people with
whom they make contact. Although it may sound a bit presumptuous to say that
the practice of therapy is viable contribution to world peace, I would respond
by saying that, “happy people don’t do messed up stuff.” If through the
therapeutic process we can reduce violence through such means as developing
self-acceptance, regulating our nervous systems, and improving communication
skills there is a chance that fewer people will be touched by violence in the
future.
I feel that I most likely stand with the majority of people when I say that the last thing that the world needs right now is more violence. If therapy might help transform people into agents of change in the vision of a peaceful future, why not give it a shot?
Simone Weit, APCC
Sierra Therapy Center
Meditation with Steven Cooper
by Sierra Sparks, MFT on 08/15/19
To Be Mindful
by Sierra Sparks, MFT on 06/06/19
The
Gentle Reader with
Steven Cooper
To Be Mindful
Close your eyes... Take
a deep breath…Take in the scent of your surroundings…
Now…
Listen to the vibrations
around you.
Without trying to change
anything at all, just allow yourself to shift into an Observer role...
Check in with Yourself.
How are you feeling?
What’s been on your
mind?
Much like seeing
yourself in third person...
No tension, no anxiety,
not allowing yourself to feel triggered...just...See. Feel. Breathe.
When we participate in mindfulness,
we enhance our ability to take in any and everything that comes at us.
Something profound begins to take shape: we remove Judgement from our
consciousness, if only for the moment. We become more neutral in our
perception. We become Empowered. We gain control, ironically, by letting go.
Mindfulness is perhaps
the most talked about facet of the healing arts. It’s no secret why: It’s so
liberating. It allows us to return to our Natural. We escape, if only for the
moment, the perils and stresses of this physical realm. We become truly
Attuned.
I invite you to generate
for yourself, to create, Gentle Readers, your own moments of mindfulness,
everyday. Wherever you are. Whatever you do. However things are going in your
Life.
Just stop...breathe...turn
loose...let go...slip into Mindfulness. Return to the Waking World.
Rumi captured it
perfectly...”Look past your thoughts, so that you may drink the Pure Nectar of
this Moment.”
Grounding tools to
Welcome Mindfulness:
Essential Oil | Rub a
drop onto your wrists. Breath in the scent throughout the day to ground
yourself.
Water Beads | Buy some
online or in art supply store. Soak in water and put into a wide container.
Stress Ball | Keep one
or two at work or in your glove box. Imagine squeezing the tension out of you.
Progressive Muscle
Relaxation | Visit the link: https://youtu.be/fDZI-4udE_o
Peace, Love, and
Tranquility
Unplugging from the Modern World, By Chandra Michelle Tracy, LMFT
by Sierra Sparks, MFT on 05/23/19
STC May 2019 Update
by Sierra Sparks, MFT on 05/09/19
Its been a while since we updated everyone, but here's what we have been up to. In the last couple months we have added some new team members and added another location. STC (Sierra Therapy Center) is proud and honored to welcome Dena Hall, and Annette Kelso to our team!
Welcome to the team Dena Hall, MA, LMFT!
Dena Hall is working in both the Nevada City office and Grass Valley office. Here's a little message from Dena:
“It is an honor to witness another’s journey and to provide them with support and encouragement along their path. Through the therapeutic process of working with adults, couples, children, and families, we find out what is important to you, what you want to accomplish or improve through various therapy techniques, as well as coaching and teaching approaches. My goal is support you during this time in your life, witnessing your transformation and growth, seeing you move into your future.”
Welcome to the team Annette Kelso, LMFT!
Annette is working in the Grass Valley office, here’s a tidbit from Annette:
“If you are at a point where your life seems to be out of balance, it is important to know that help is available. My desire is to help you achieve the goals you set for yourself, help you uncover your true potential and come closer to your authentic self. While we can’t change difficult
situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your present life. I will work to support you by creating a safe and non-judgmental environment in which you can work through your thoughts and feelings, and find the insight and tools you need to move beyond old limiting beliefs and behaviors.”
But that’s not all we’ve been up to….
We’re expanding yet again! We now have 2 offices in Grass Valley, One in Nevada City and now one in Truckee, CA.
In April 2019 we opened our Truckee Office and our amazing Intern, Sharon Forsythe decided take the hike up the mountain to kick start our Truckee office! The address is:
10344 Donner Pass Road, Suite A
Truckee, CA 96161
T?hank you, Sharon, for your dedication to the team, and for taking on this new journey.
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Thank you, Nevada County, for taking us in, and helping all of us grow in the field we love, and in the community we love.