heal the mind
What Is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a professional relationship between a client and therapist which focuses on areas in a client's life that are challenging. While conversation is the primary strategy used in traditional psychotherapy, there are an infinite number of other tools that aid the process. While each client is different, when working with Dr. Townsend common tools include meditation, mindfulness, gentle movement, breath work and essential oils. Goals for treatment are selected so that both therapist and client can monitor progress.
My friends are great. How is a therapist different?
Psychologists use therapeutic principles, structure and technique, which allows them to interact with clients in a very different manner. Dr. Townsend is trained to understand what you say — your words, how you say them and which ones you do not use. She pays attention to body language and voice tone to fully understand what you are trying to communicate. She knows what questions to ask and might pose questions that you have never considered before.
Furthermore, confidentiality is a critical component of therapy. You don't have to worry about the conversation being repeated to others or having anything you shared negatively affect your job, family or relationships. You can be honest with a psychologist without worrying about how others will react to your feelings or thoughts.
Who benefits from therapy?
The truth is, we could all benefit from therapy at one time or another in our lives. There are times when the stress of life feels like too much or relationships are challenging or work is overwhelming or the mood is heavy and grey. Therapy can offer a place of support and encouragement during these tricky times.
Psychotherapy is also for anyone who is wanting to lead a more meaningful and authentic life. Therapy creates an atmosphere for introspection and healing which can help those who are interested in better understanding their past and how it relates to their present situation. This increased self-awareness allows future decisions to be based on understanding and intention.
Dr. Townsend's Philosophy
Dr. Townsend believes that clients innately possess the skills to create the lives they envision, but obstacles, both internal and external, prevent those abilities from being fully utilized. She helps to identify what is successful in a client's life and then works with clients to apply those innate strengths to more problematic areas. Dr. Townsend believes her role in psychotherapy is to act as a support, guide and teacher who helps clients develop strategies to lead lives with balance, calm and wholeness. Dr. Townsend pulls from many of the major psychological theories and relies heavily on mindfulness, meditation, positive psychology and cognitive-behavioral approaches.
Training
Dr. Townsend attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY for undergraduate and graduated with Honors In Psychology. She attended The Chicago School of Professional Psychology where she received her Masters and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Her dissertation on Adolescent Grief and Loss of a Parent allowed Dr. Townsend to thoroughly explore the issues of mourning and loss. She completed a post-doctoral Fellowship in Substance Abuse at the Veteran's Administration of North Texas where she worked with military personnel who were coping with complex mental health issues. Upon completion, she worked as an associate with Ray Levy, Ph.D. in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Levy, author of Try and Make Me, is well respected for his work with defiant children and their families. Under his guidance, Dr. Townsend honed her skills in supporting parents and children in highly conflictual relationships.
Continuing Education
Dr. Townsend is committed to her own learning and development. Some recent noteworthy trainings including a 50-hour Professional Development in Mindfulness Facilitation through the Osher Center of Integrative Medicine at Vanderbilt University, a 100-hour advanced yoga teacher training with Ashley Turner, M.A, focusing on Yoga Psychology, an 8-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn and an 8-week training with Ron Siegel, Psy.D., on Psychotherapy and Mindfulness. Furthermore, Dr. Townsend completed a 2 day training with Bessel Van Der Kolk on Trauma and the Body. Additionally, Dr. Townsend completed a 7-month training on Transpersonal Psychology: Training the Mind , Awakening the Body, focused on body centered therapies at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Vanderbilt University. More recently, Dr. Townsend has completed a year long training with Suzanne Stablie on the Eneagram and continues to learn about the model and how it applies to her clinical work.