General Anxiety Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder. Prolonged Grief Disorder. Substance Use Disorder.
How do you navigate this system?
You may have heard of these DSM (Diagnostic Statistical Manual) categorizations/labels of mental health and diagnoses. As Psychotherapists, we are trained (normative practices) on how to use the Western medical model to put people into general ideas of what their symptoms may be and determine how they are experiencing them. This “expert model” focuses the power on the Professional and is not a person-centered approach. Insurance uses these diagnoses to determine if someone has a “medically necessary” to pay for their treatment. This is called pathologizing, as in the pathology someone is experiencing.
If these labels and categories help you understand your experience and feel more empowered, that is wonderful. It has been my experience that when people limit their idea of themselves pathologizing can distance them from their own humanity. No matter what you are experience you have intrinsic worth. It is not dependent on a set of criteria. There are other limitations to assigning Dx to people. They are entirely subjective. If you ask 5 different clinicians what someone’s challenges are, and how they would diagnose them you may get a number of different answers.
Earthbody Psychotherapy is a non-pathologizing, empathy-based Therapy practice. This is a core value I hold in our time together. It is a Sacred space. I do not assign life challenges a diagnosis or label based on what a group of “experts” have chosen based on their own subjective assessment.
This therapy Art invites you to explore your own stories, meanings, and wisdom in a way that empowers you to create more satisfaction and presence in your Life.
What works for you?
When you feel into your own internal wisdom, what does your heart say? What does your mind say? What does your body say? What does your Spirit say? Integrative wisdom.
If you need support in navigating your life, Click here to see if Somatic Counseling with Kris in Eureka, CA is a good fit for you. Let’s discuss how I may be of service for your internal exploration.
With care,

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