“The unconscious ultimately brings about and directs the healing process and the psychotherapist is only a helper and support of this process, not its author.” - Marie Louise von Franz, Psychotherapy Therapy is a unique, safe, confidential space to explore one’s inner world as well as problematic situations, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Often people don’t want to burden friends and family with their problems. Therapy is a non-judgmental, supportive environment focused entirely on the client. Some people find that talking about their thoughts and emotions in a safe, confidential, neutral environment helps to process and bring to the surface obstacles and the direction for healing. Some people come to therapy to explore their inner world. In the process, they develop strengths and skills to cope with stresses, trauma, loss, stuckness, and worry. Some find that “venting” is a way to share pain, diminish it, and feel less alone. Some people are looking for personal growth, creativity, and to fulfill their potential. Some people are in life transitions and face existential questions such as “what is the meaning of my life?” and “who am I?” Many people simply want to feel better. Some people don’t know why they come to therapy but are drawn to it or have nowhere else to turn. At different moments, therapy serves different functions including any or all of these issues.
By slowing down and using a depth psychological, Jungian, and mythological perspective, I pay attention to the archetypal images, patterns, and universal stories that arise unconsciously in a client. These images add information and insight to rational problem-solving (which often has already been tried). The origin of psycho-therapy is to “tend the soul.” Together we listen for the deep wisdom within the psyche. We use traditional talk therapy, work with dreams, and non-verbal techniques such as art and sandplay therapy as appropriate. I have experience working with children and adults. As a registered psychotherapist intern at New Perspectives Center for Counseling in San Francisco, I am working toward a California license in Marriage and Family Therapy. I have studied psychology for over twenty-five years. I provide affordable short and long term psychotherapy to children and adults. My areas of interest include: depression, anxiety and stress life changes pet loss and grief wedding planning support relationships and intimacy eating disorders personal growth and fulfillment mood regulation self-esteem childhood wounds inner critic self-expression and creativity joy and play existential and spiritual exploration Laurie Chandler, MA, Marriage and Family Therapy Registered Intern (IMF #64780) chandlerdepthpsych@gmail.com 415.562.7768 Supervised by Peggy Handler, LMFT, MFC 32077 * New Perspectives Center for Counseling, San Francisco |