Cindy Ricardo (she/her)

When conflict arises in our Relationships, we often act in ways (i.e. infidelity, addictions, stonewalling, defensiveness) that intensify pain and increases disconnection. This is where I can help! Using Imago Relationship Therapy and mindfulness/compassion based approaches, I help couples to soften defensiveness/reactivity, speak from the heart and express empathy for each other. This in turn helps couples feel a more intimate, loving and joyful connection.

Let's face it, life is challenging at times and when this happens, reaching out for support is what helps. And when we're feeling depressed it can feel scary as it's an overwhelming feeling that goes beyond sadness and can affect all areas of your life. Let me be your guide out of this painful place and help you move towards emotional healing, balance and joy.

Anxiety can be overwhelming and draining. If left untreated, it can have a detrimental effect on your physical, mental and emotional health. In sessions I can help you learn mindful ways to calm the body and mind, which helps you restore a sense of balance, gain clarity of mind and reconnect with joy.

The body, mind and heart connection is essential to our emotional, physical and spiritual and psychological wellbeing. Our body mind and heart hold the history of all of our experiences. In this approach, you will learn to cultivate the skills of attunement, deep listening, and learning to respond to what's arising in the present moment in ways that are healing and foster growth.

Mindfulness and Self Compassion interventions are helpful in treating depression, anxiety, stress and other issues that effect our overall wellbeing. Through mindfulness and compassion, we cultivate the ability to stay present to our moment to moment experience (i.e. thoughts, emotions, sensations) meeting it with understanding and compassion. Meeting challenging experiences with acceptance, wisdom and compassion allows us to live a more balanced joyful life.

There is a link between frustrations in adult relationships and our experiences growing up. Childhood feelings of abandonment, suppression or neglect will often arise in an intimate relationship. When partners meet wounds with defensiveness and reactivity it can overshadow the positives in a relationship and lead to feelings of disconnection, pain and dis-empowerment. Imago Relationship Therapy aims to help couples learn to shift out of the power struggle and into loving connection.

Somatic psychotherapy is a holistic approach incorporating mind, body, spirit, and emotions in healing. In this approach, there is a focus on developing awareness of how thoughts, sensation and emotions are have a profound impact on how we relate to the world. This includes past traumatic experiences that can keep us stuck in repeating actions, thoughts or behaviors that are unhealthy and harmful. Learning to self soothe and regulate emotions moves us towards empowerment and healing.