Whether I am working with individuals, parents and child(ren)/adolescent, or couples, my approach is largely influenced by the Healing Our Core Issues (HOCI) Model and Developmental and Relational Trauma Therapy (DARTT). The HOCI model informs us about 6 core issues at play when we feel emotionally charged or shut down or in conflict within ourselves or with others. HOCI utilizes DARTT to move these core issues into balance, identify our authenticity, and take action which reflects our true nature, becoming relational in our relationships – with our self and with others.

DARTT notices details from when you were a child. Moments during childhood leave an imprint on your nervous system which impacts how we think, feel, and behave today. DARTT enlivens a new response within us. DARTT is an eclectic and full spectrum approach. It utilizes many approaches such as mindfulness, attachment theory, somatic awareness and neurobiology.

Healing Our Core Issues and Developmental and Relational Trauma Therapy is based upon the work of Pia Mellody who is the author of Facing Codependence and The Intimacy Factor. Please listen to this interview with Pia Mellody herself in which she identifies the nature of a child (starting at minute 9:14): inherent worth, imperfection, vulnerability, having needs and wants, spontaneity and openness energy:

Jan Bergstrom, one of the co-founders with Rick Butts, PhD, of the HOCI Institute for training mental health therapists in this model and DARTT, wrote a very helpful book about this model called “Gifts from a Challenging Childhood: Creating a Practice for Becoming Your Healthiest Self.”

Here are links to the Trauma Research Foundation, Healing Trauma Network and Healing Our Core Issues Institute for more information:

https://www.traumaresearchfoundation.org/

https://www.healingtraumanetwork.net

https://www.healingourcoreissuesinstitute.com

In addition to DARTT which looks at your childhood (ages 0-22), I use a Lifetime Timeline on a poster board which covers different categories over your lifetime such as education, work, extracurricular activities, drug and alcohol use, social events, romantic interests, etc. I will work on this with you in session or you can take the poster board home that I will supply you.