More about our clinical approaches, philosophies, and modalities.

The Counseling Approach

at Steen Psychotherapy

We believe in a holistic and integrative approach to counseling that prioritizes the unique needs and experiences of each individual. Our therapists are dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences alongside an experienced guide.

Our Core Principles

Person-Centered:  Our therapists adhere to the principles of person-centered therapy, founded on the belief that individuals have the capacity for self-awareness and self-direction.  We honor your autonomy and strive to create a therapeutic relationship based on trust, empathy, and unconditional positive regard.

Relationship-Centered:  We recognize the significance of interpersonal relationships in shaping our experiences and emotional well-being.  Our therapists focus on cultivating a strong therapeutic alliance to facilitate growth, healing, and transformation.

Empathic and Authentic:  We approach therapy with genuine empathy and authenticity, valuing your unique perspective and lived experiences.  Our therapists provide a compassionate and authentic presence, encouraging open and honest communication.

Our Psychotherapy Philosophy

Our therapeutic approach draws from a diverse range of theoretical perspectives and evidence-based practices, including:

Psychodynamic Therapy: Exploring unconscious patterns, childhood experiences, and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships to gain insight into present-day challenges.

Attachment Science: Understanding the impact of early attachment experiences on emotional regulation, interpersonal relationships, and psychological well-being.

Depth Work: Delving into the underlying layers of the psyche to uncover deeper meaning, symbolism, and unconscious processes.

Interpersonal Neurobiology: Integrating knowledge from neuroscience, psychology, and interpersonal relationships to promote healing and integration at the intersection of mind, brain, and relationships.

Eastern Philosophy and Mindfulness: Incorporating mindfulness practices and principles from Eastern philosophies to cultivate present-moment awareness, acceptance, and inner peace.

Parts Work and Internal Family Systems (IFS): Exploring and integrating the various aspects or "parts" of the self to foster harmony, self-compassion, and inner balance.

At Steen Psychotherapy, we are committed to supporting you on your journey towards self-discovery, healing, and personal growth. We tailor our approach to meet your unique needs and goals, empowering you to navigate life's challenges with resilience, insight, and compassion. Together we can work towards creating meaningful change and enhancing your overall well-being. Read more below about our unique therapeutic styles, the modalities we have honed in on, and how we might integrate these approaches into your therapy.

More About Our Psychotherapy Modalities

  • Psychodynamic therapy explores the “Why?” behind our habituated ways of being. Assumes the existence of unconscious feelings and ideas. Seeks to bring the unconscious into conscious awareness so it can be owned/dealt with. Makes the implicit explicit. Intellectual insight into emotional insight. Early childhood experiences form our psychological ground floor. Identify reactions that were once adaptive and no longer serve you.

    Jenna & Harley are both trained in Dynamic Enriched Experiential Psychotherapy (DEEP), developed by Candyce Ossefort-Russell. This practice is rooted in modern neuroscience, developments in attachment theory, and historic wisdom traditions. DEEP emphasizes that an authentic, securely-attached therapeutic relationship is essential for personal growth. DEEP therapists use their own authenticity, understanding, and compassion to engender safety and warmth from the moment therapy begins. In the context of this secure relationship, it becomes possible to explore difficult emotions without becoming overwhelmed. Kind challenging invites deeper self-understanding and the possibility to change unhelpful coping strategies. Clients are helped to recognize their innate strengths and reconnect with a true sense of “Self.” Ultimately, experiences in DEEP therapy lead to meaningful personal growth.

  • Drawing from the foundational principles of Attachment Theory, originally developed by John Bowlby. This approach recognizes the profound impact our earliest emotional bonds on our social and emotional development throughout our lives. Through exploration and reflection, we help clients identify their dominant strategies for managing autonomy and connection within relationships, gaining clarity into what is and isn’t working in their interpersonal dynamics.

    Central to our approach is the establishment of a secure therapeutic relationship, characterized by trust, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. Within this safe and supportive space, clients are encouraged to explore their comfort with intimacy and vulnerability, allowing themselves to be seen and known authentically. By deepening their capacity for emotional authenticity and intimacy, clients can cultivate healthier and more fulfilling relationships both within themselves and with others.

    In couples therapy, we assist partners in understanding each other's Attachment Styles and how these styles influence their interactions and communication patterns. Through this understanding, couples can work together to cultivate secure functioning within their relationship, fostering greater empathy, connection, and resilience in the face of challenges. Our goal is to support individuals and couples in developing the skills and insights necessary to create and maintain relationships characterized by mutual understanding, respect, and intimacy.

  • Depth therapy, inspired by the work of Carl Jung and enriched by techniques such as free association, delves beneath the surface to uncover the deeper layers of your psyche. We believe that true healing occurs when we explore the underlying beliefs, feelings, and unmet needs that drive your daily life. By examining how early experiences and relationships have shaped the ways you show up in the world today, we can begin to untangle the roots of your present struggles.

    Our approach to depth therapy involves gently guiding you through a process of self-exploration, where we shine a light on habituated behaviors and thinking patterns that may once have served a purpose but now may be holding you back. Through this supported exploration, you'll gain insights into the unconscious aspects of yourself, allowing for profound shifts in perception and understanding.

    Depth therapy isn't about quick fixes or surface-level solutions; it's a journey of discovery and growth that unfolds over time. By courageously confronting and integrating the hidden aspects of yourself, you can experience real and lasting transformation. Our goal is to provide a safe and nurturing space where you can embark on this journey of self-discovery, leading to greater self-awareness, resilience, and fulfillment in all areas of your life.

  • Developed by Dr. Daniel Siegle, Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) seeks to understand how the mind, brain, and relationships interact to shape how a person experiences the world. IPNB emphasizes that interpersonal relationships and social connections throughout the lifespan shape the development and function of the brain and nervous system, which in turn influence emotional, social, and cognitive processes. In session, we can help you understand how your unique system functions and gain insight into your habituated responses. Learning more about how your brain and nervous system work can help to defuse shame and engender a growth mindset as well as improve self-regulation. The engagement, connection and communication you experience in the safety of a therapeutic relationship works, over time, to create new neural-pathways around trust in relationships.

    In couples therapy, IPNB offers valuable insights into the dynamics of interpersonal connection and communication. By exploring the ways in which each partner's brain responds to relational cues and interactions, we can identify patterns of attachment, emotional regulation, and empathy. Through this understanding, couples can learn to recognize and regulate their own emotional responses while fostering greater empathy and attunement with their partner. IPNB-based interventions in couples therapy focus on cultivating secure attachment, enhancing emotional regulation skills, and promoting effective communication strategies. By integrating IPNB principles into couples work, we aim to deepen emotional intimacy, strengthen relational bonds, and support couples in building a more fulfilling and resilient partnership.

  • Incorporating Eastern philosophy and mindfulness into therapy offers a powerful pathway to healing and self-discovery. Drawing from ancient wisdom traditions, these modalities encourage present-moment awareness, acceptance, and inner peace. By integrating practices such as meditation, breathwork, and mindfulness techniques, therapy becomes a holistic journey of self-exploration and growth. Through Eastern philosophy, clients can cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world, fostering resilience, compassion, and inner balance. Our therapeutic approach honors the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, guiding clients towards greater self-awareness, emotional well-being, and fulfillment in life.

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Parts Work offer a transformative approach to therapy that recognizes the multi-faceted nature of the mind and the presence of fragmented selves within us. Through this modality, we explore the various parts of our psyche with curiosity and compassion, understanding that each part holds valuable wisdom and serves a protective function. By fostering dialogue and integration among these parts, we can uncover inner conflicts, heal emotional wounds, and restore harmony within ourselves. IFS empowers clients to cultivate self-awareness, self-compassion, and inner resilience, ultimately leading to greater wholeness and authenticity in life.

If this sounds like an approach to therapy that resonates with you …

Take a few minutes and reach out to Jenna and Harley today.