Sarah Hartley Counseling
Providing high quality therapy to individuals, couples, and families.
Connection. Balance. Joy.
Therapeutic Approach
My practice is built on the guiding principles of attachment theory, and emotion-focused therapy. EFT is an evidenced-based therapy and has been shown to be effective for both children and adults. EFT utilizes connection to facilitate growth and healing, and as such is used extensively in family and couples therapy. With children, the connection between themselves and a caregiver is used to strengthen feelings of safety and stability. This allows children to effectively develop emotional regulation skills, process difficult or traumatic events, and build resilience.
The concept of connection extends beyond the bonds between individuals. Connection in EFT includes our connection to our sense of self, our belief system, and our connection to the greater society as a whole. When we strengthen these connections, we can effectively explore the link between our past and present selves, reconciling old wounds, fostering healing and moving towards wholeness.
Individual Therapy
Therapy does not need to be long-term to be effective. Many clients report experiencing significant benefits after just a few sessions. Therapy provides a unique opportunity to examine ourselves without judgement, recognizing patterns of behavior that no longer serve us. Though this recognition can sometimes be painful, it clears the way for healing, growth, and profound change. My job as your therapist is to create a safe space, set the pace according to your needs, and offer thoughtful and meaningful interventions to help you move forward.
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Some examples of interventions I frequently use are:
Parents & Children
A primary focal point in my work with parents is discussing how to adapt the individual parenting style to meet the specific needs of the child. Our culture, beliefs, personality, and childhood experience all factor in the creation of our parenting style. We work with what we know, both consciously and unconsciously. Often it is not until a particular approach fails to work that parents pause and reevaluate. It can feel frustrating, especially if we have had success with the same approach in the past, or if we feel a sense of pride in our parenting style. The simple truth however, is that what works for one child will not necessarily work for the other. If our parenting style is fluid and adaptable, we will be able to better connect and guide our children. My work with parents involves examining our own beliefs about parenting, learning new techniques, and finding solutions that fit the unique needs of your family.
Couples
When it comes to communication, you will both learn how to talk and listen in a way that best suits the other person. Rarely do both partners have the same communication style, so this is an essential skill that will serve you both well. Our communication styles are a blend of our natural personalities, how we were raised, and what we believe to be true about ourselves. Once you have a greater understanding of why and how your partner communicates like they do, it will reduce frustration, increase empathy, and allow you to move forward, together.