Attunement is a central concept in attachment theory. When two people are attuned to one another, they "get each other" on a fundamental level. They feel seen, they feel heard.
"Emotional attunement" is the unspoken understanding, safety, and acceptance a mother shows her infant.
It goes beyond empathy and validation to meet one's core relational needs. It is the process of truly seeing another person, understanding and responding to their needs, and staying present with them, especially in moments of discomfort. It is essential for a strong therapeutic relationship, and is the primary determinant of a "successful marriage," according to John Gottman, one of the foremost researchers on couples.
When you feel like you are being attuned to, you feel safe.
What prevents attunement? Distraction!
When you can be fully present, and understand your own life narrative --
the good, the bad, the moments of joy and moments of pain --
you can live your life more fully, deeply and authentically.
I will help you get there.
Therapy is the safest space to practice new modes of communication - both with others and with yourself. I specialize in ADHD (childhood through adulthood), anxiety, co-occurring disorders and couples & family therapy.
At the core of our work together we will explore:
How you harness your attention
How this impacts your functioning, and
How it plays out in your communication with others and yourself
How it impacts your progress towards meeting goals
This is why I call my practice Attuned Attention Psychotherapy.
In this therapeutic space you will see me demonstrate, and you will develop the skill of attunement.
You will learn to focus your attention on that attunement, and become aware of where your attention goes, and how to play a more active role in deciding to what/whom/where you attend.
In turn, you will gain a fuller understanding of your patterns of relating, thinking, behaving, feeling - and of those around you.