How does therapy work?

This really comes down to what is happening in your life, what you would like support with and what emerges between you (and your partner(s) if in relationship therapy) and your therapist. Your therapist will collaborate with you to determine what to work on over the longer-term course of therapy, and what to work on in each session. Together with your therapist, you will come up with a bigger-picture plan to manage the longer-term goals, and each session you will check in, to ensure you are on track. Below, we have described some general information which may be helpful if you are considering booking a session with Nathan or Jess at Healing Ground. You are welcome to phone, email or text one of us, and we will be happy to arrange a face to face meeting, or a phone call, so you can decide if we might be the right fit for you. You can read about our therapists and make contact with us here.
What's Therapy Like?
If you would like to speak with a therapist first, we can book a time for a free brief phone or video call. We can decide in your first session if working together could be beneficial for you and your partner(s). Gestalt therapy and EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) are modalities which take into consideration a client's total situation or context. So, the first session would also involve quite a bit of exploration of your whole situation, including your life, your current and previous important and impactful relationships, experiences, beliefs and values. You are also welcome to ask your therapist about their identity, life and values, to see if you feel there is enough alignment for trust to develop between you.
How Long Does it Take?
Gestalt therapy and emotionally-focused therapy (EFT) are approaches which aim for deep and enduring change. First, through non-judgemental acceptance of what is currently. We then work toward greater integration of your whole experience and needs, through exploration and deeping of emotions, attachment needs and longings. Depending on your situation, if you need support with something simple, you may find a few sessions very helpful. However, if you have unresolved trauma, if you had a difficult childhood, or if you're suffering from anxiety, depression and/or chronic pain, you would benefit from longer term therapy - perhaps with an initial block of 10 sessions before re-assessing with your therapist. Depending on your situation, weekly sessions may be most effective, with the occasional break of a month or two for rest and integration. This varies of course, and we will work with you to develop a plan which suits your needs and finances.
Integration & Completion
Each session your therapist will discuss integration with you, towards the end of your time together. This allows for reflection of the important work you have done, and an exploration for what that might mean outside of the therapy room, in everyday life. Integration is also an important part of the process when it comes to ending the therapeutic relationship. Perhaps you have reached your goals, and you're ready to move on. It may be beneficial to have a final session which allows you and your therapist to end well together.

Group Therapy...

Gestalt Group Process provides a gentle, non-judgemental, relational approach; exploring what is, in the here and now, in a group setting. For $40-$50/person (depending on the duration and the number of group members). This is a cost-effective way to experience psychotherapy and build greater awareness of the way you do life in a supported environment. Group therapy can also be combined with individual therapy, to enhance your personal and relational exploration and healing.
Contact us if you would like to know more.

Gestalt therapy...

At Healing Ground, our therapists are trained in Gestalt therapy which informs our philosophy and definition of health and the way we view our clients. The four pillars of Gestalt therapy are: dialogical/relational; phenomenological, field-sensitive and experiential. This means a therapist and client enter into a real relationship, in which both are willing to be changed by the dialogical process. The client's whole situation (the field) is explored through growing awareness of the embodied experiences of both the client and therapist (phenomenology). Greater awareness can emerge from the between of the relationship, as both parties contribute to a shared experience. As safety is established a client may eventually arrive at an impasse; a point of patterned, habitual stuckness which perhaps doesn't suit the current situation. This is the opportunity for an experiment, emergent of the situation and the therapeutic relationship. An experiment is gently proposed to the client. It is negotiated or rejected. Over time, through repitition this allows a client's expectations, experiences and behaviours to change in meaningful and enduring ways.

What our clients are saying...

“His work is truly transformational”
★★★★★
"Nathan has been incredible to work with and embodies such a deep sense of presence that allowed me to explore areas that had been shut down for many years. His work is truly transformational and I always felt very supported while at the same time challenged to grow. I am grateful for his deep understanding, and his commitment to his work as a therapist. Our work together has helped both empower me and integrate what I have learned into the various relationships within my life. I look forward to catching up again with Nathan and would highly recommend his services as a therapist."
Paddy.
“a safe and nurturing environment”
★★★★★
"Nathan's open, genuine and caring presence makes a safe and comfortable space to reflect and work. His many years of experience shines through as he guides and refocuses during each session. Highly practical and indivualised, allowing for ongoing growth and healing at your own pace. The warm and comfortable office space creates a safe and nurturing environment enhances the experience."
Mark.
“I highly recommend Jess to anyone”
★★★★★
"I was lucky to come across Jess at a crucial time of my life. I had just had a significant health crisis that made me question everything from mortality to personal relationships. With her gentle manner, ability to really listen, her insight and questions I felt grounded and, able to deal with what I was going through. I highly recommend Jess to anyone needing her support and skills."
Noelene.
"genuine and open. I felt totally comfortable"
★★★★★
"Highly recommend working with Jess. She is a very easy person to talk to, I found her to be genuine and open. I felt totally comfortable and able to share my thoughts and concerns with her. She helped me to clarify and validate my needs, and then come up with ways to communicate those with my family in a way that was in line with my values. She was a good support to me during a difficult phase of my life. Our online sessions brought me much needed calm and direction."
Jennifer.
“very supportive and protective, and I never felt judgement”
★★★★★
"Jess is a fantastic therapist who is very easy to talk to. She creates an inviting and comfortable environment where conversation naturally flows. She uses a range of techniques throughout the process that maintain engagement and focus of the session. Her use of somatic awareness and breathing techniques were incredibly grounding. Jess was very supportive and protective, and I never felt judgement from her."
KD.
“safe, held, acknowledged and supported by Nathan's presence and skill”
★★★★★
"My sessions with Healing Ground came at a time of significant life challenges, the death of my Father and the breakdown of my 10 year marriage. Nathan held a space of deep compassion and intuitive inquiry that allowed me to process and integrate many difficult aspects of what I was going through whilst also supporting me to remain connected to my body and my honest feelings.
From the beginning and through to completion I felt safe, held, acknowledged and supported by Nathan's presence and skill. My sessions helped me move through this time with a softer heart and clearer mind and I'm eternally grateful to have found such a haven."
Karlyn B.
Register No. 27184 / Register No. 27186
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