Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)

AEDP is an emotion focused approach to psychotherapy that understands suffering as rooted in aloneness and disconnection. A therapy relationship offers a safe haven and secure base where transformational healing can occur. Through the undoing of aloneness in the therapy relationship, and through the in-depth processing of difficult emotional and relational experiences, new and healing experiences are fostered and with them, resources, resilience and a renewed zest for life.

My primary therapeutic approach is called AEDP. This integrative approach combines modern understandings of interpersonal-neurobiology and attachment theory with tried-and-true experiential methods of psychotherapy. Using AEDP, we work together to understand the functions of distressing behaviors and the core beliefs driving anxiety, shame, and guilt. We work together to change these dynamics. Then we work together to nourish and grow your resilient, and very human, core self.

I have trained in an array of psychodynamic approaches, but found my home in Diana Fosha's AEDP (an attachment, emotion-focused, experiential approach that seeks to identify and relinquish defensive obstacles to healing). I regularly completed trainings from 2007-2011, including her immersion course and 2 complete years of the intensive "Core Training Program". I was so invested I was a member of a group of therapists seeking to make Austin a "Third Coast" training hub.

We can't change the past, but we can change how we feel about the past. This form of treatment "makes neuroplasticity happen", meaning that we can actually use your brain to change your brain. AEDP safely works with emotional experiences in the here-and-now of the present moment from the understanding that we can heal and transform our life by leaning into our emotions instead of avoiding them.

A good add-on to CBT, AEDP helps to anchor one's thoughts and beliefs in the here and now and to help make room for new beliefs and thoughts as they arise.

I use the AEDP change triangle with clients to help them understand how unconscious defenses such as avoidance, sarcasm, and perfectionism as well as inhibitory emotions such as anxiety, shame and guilt get in the way of feeling their true feelings. Clients that experience AEDP report the initial nervousness around sitting in their feelings, eventually gives way to a open-hearted, confident self that makes this type of treatment so invaluable to them.

AEDP is one of my main approaches to healing.

So many of our defenses - people pleasing, avoiding, self-judgment, worry, numbness, perfectionism - emerge as a direct result of us being unable to tolerate our core emotions, e.g. sadness, anger, fear, etc. AEDP is a psychotherapy modality through which I support clients in accessing their core emotions so that they can take authentic and empowered action in their lives. If you feel stuck, depressed, or anxious, AEDP supports you in opening up to yourself with courage and self-compassion.

I have received post graduate training in AEDP through the AEDP institute.

My primary therapeutic approach is called AEDP. This integrative approach combines modern understandings of interpersonal-neurobiology and attachment theory with tried-and-true experiential methods of psychotherapy. Using AEDP, we work together to understand the functions of distressing behaviors and the core beliefs driving anxiety, shame, and guilt. We work together to change these dynamics. Then we work together to nourish and grow your resilient, and very human, core self.

My primary therapeutic approach is called AEDP. This integrative approach combines modern understandings of interpersonal-neurobiology and attachment theory with tried-and-true experiential methods of psychotherapy. Using AEDP, we work together to understand the functions of distressing behaviors and the core beliefs driving anxiety, shame, and guilt. We work together to change these dynamics. Then we work together to nourish and grow your resilient, and very human, core self.

I am a level 2 AEDP Therapist