Therapy from an Existential Perspective for Grief, Trauma, Men’s Issues, and More
Life leaves its marks. I provide a compassionate space to reflect, process, and heal from grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, and other challenges.
Individual Therapy
Sometimes people come to therapy because something doesn’t feel quite right. It might be prompted by others, or arise from an inner sense that something needs attention. Sometimes it’s a recent shift; other times it’s a feeling that’s lingered for years.
I approach therapy with a vigorous belief in what the research has shown: The most reliable predictor of therapeutic success is the strength of the relationship itself. In our sessions, therapy will feel informal and conversational. Early on, I lead with curiosity and focus on building a trusting, open relationship - setting aside assumptions to better understand how you make sense of your world. As our work deepens, I’ll support you in clarifying your direction and stepping into responsibility and change on your own terms. Sometimes, I will gently challenge your narratives in pursuit of helping you understand yourself better. At times, I draw on years of practicing and teaching yoga and integrate mindfulness practices to support your goals.
Therapy is unique for each person, and I approach our work with deep respect for that individuality. For some, therapy is short-term and focused; for others, it’s more open-ended and exploratory. In our first sessions, we’ll discuss your hopes and goals and what a meaningful path forward might look like together.
Therapy isn’t always the right fit for every person or every moment. There are many ways to grow and heal and therapy is one of them. But when the fit is right, and there’s mutual understanding, therapy can be a powerful space for self-discovery and for creating a more meaningful, effective life.
Couples Therapy
Relationships can be deeply rewarding, but also incredibly hard. Sometimes the person you’re closest to can feel like the one you’re most out of sync with. I approach couples counseling from an emotionally focused perspective (emotionally focused therapy, EFT), one that prioritizes safety, connection, and intimacy. Together, we’ll look at the patterns you and your partner fall into - the “relational dance” - and how those habits can keep you stuck. With awareness and support, it becomes possible to step out of old cycles and move toward greater closeness by engaging with and validating each other’s emotional needs.
As Terry Real says, “You can be right, or you can be married.” That tension of wanting to win versus wanting to connect lies at the heart of many struggles. Couples counseling offers a space with a compassionate, nonjudgmental presence to help you notice these patterns, practice new ways of relating, and rebuild intimacy together.
Group Therapy
I’m an avid supporter of group therapy and have witnessed firsthand the deep growth that can happen within a group setting. There’s something uniquely powerful about being seen and understood by others, sometimes for the first time. Sharing experiences with others who are navigating similar questions or struggles can be profoundly validating and transformative.
The groups I facilitate are process groups - unstructured, experiential spaces where there is no set agenda or topic each week. Instead, members are encouraged to bring in whatever feels most important or alive for them. The heart of the work lies in the interactions between group members: offering support, giving and receiving feedback, and exploring the reactions and dynamics that arise in the here-and-now.
If you’re curious about joining a group or want to learn more, feel free to reach out. I’d be glad to talk with you about whether it might be a good fit.
Current group offerings:
Weekly process group, Thursdays 6:00 - 7:30pm. Email derek@harrispsychotherapy.com for availability. Click here or see flyer to the right (below for mobile) for additional information.
