I was sitting outside with a friend last week, soaking in the glorious Charleston fall weather, when they began sharing a recent experience. They described being caught off guard by a wave of deep emotions—mostly grief—about events from the past year. They said, “I’m a journaler. I live an embodied life. I thought I was making space for emotions, so I don’t understand where this came from.”
As we talked, we reflected on how different it is to write about or even talk about our feelings compared to actually feeling and experiencing them. It was such a rich conversation and a beautiful reminder of why I love the main style of therapy I practice: Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP).
One of the most powerful aspects of this emotion-focused, trauma-informed, somatic, and experiential therapy is the belief that, on the other side of fully experiencing emotion in a safe relationship, we can access our inner wisdom. On the other side of sadness, we discover what matters most to us. On the other side of grief, we often find love. On the other side of anger, we may find clarity around boundaries. On the other side of fear, we may uncover what we need in order to feel safe. Emotions are powerful messengers, each with an adaptive purpose.
They’re so powerful, in fact, that most of us develop habits and patterns to avoid feeling them—what we often call defenses. Maybe you notice a self-critical voice or a tendency to minimize your experiences. Maybe you struggle with denial or feel stuck in shame. These defenses are natural, human, and usually rooted in early emotional learning. But they don’t have to keep you stuck. Together, we can compassionately explore these patterns so you can reconnect with your true self—the part of you that is wired to grow, connect, and live fully alive.
In AEDP, rather than simply talking about things, you’re invited to notice your inner experience as it arises in the moment. We focus on self-exploration so you can deepen emotional awareness and begin to heal wounds from the past that still affect you in the present. We also work with the therapeutic relationship itself, intentionally creating safety and connection so the process can unfold with support.
If you’re curious to learn more, two wonderful and accessible books that explore AEDP are It’s Not Always Depression by Hilary Jacobs Hendel and Living Like You Mean It by Ronald J. Frederickson. And, if you feel ready to take the next step, we’d love to talk with you. Reach out to schedule a consult call—we’d be honored to explore this work with you.