Origins Psychotherapy

It takes an immense amount of courage to look inward and wonder if the challenges you face run deeper than just stress, anxiety, or a difficult period in your life. Perhaps you find yourself caught in painful relationship patterns that seem to repeat, struggle to maintain a stable sense of who you are, or move between intense emotions and a persistent feeling of emptiness. You may feel misunderstood, exhausted by your own mind, or wonder whether meaningful change is possible.Personality shapes how we experience ourselves, understand others, and make sense of the world around us. These patterns develop over time, often in response to our early relationships and life experiences. What once helped us navigate difficult circumstances can later leave us feeling stuck, disconnected from ourselves, or caught in relationships that bring more pain than understanding. Making sense of these patterns requires more than simply managing individual symptoms; it calls for a deeper exploration of the experiences and emotional responses that have shaped them.A Relational Approach to PersonalityDepth-oriented approaches, including psychodynamic psychotherapy and Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) approaches, offer an opportunity to explore these difficulties within a consistent therapeutic relationship. Rather than viewing your struggles in isolation, we work together to understand how you experience yourself and others, particularly when emotions run high or relationships become difficult.Our work may involve paying attention to what unfolds between us in sessions, including moments of uncertainty, emotional discomfort, misunderstanding, or withdrawal. With curiosity and care, we can explore the feelings, expectations, and protective responses that emerge in these moments and consider how they may connect with patterns in your life outside therapy.Over time, this work may support the development of a more stable understanding of yourself, greater flexibility in responding to difficult emotions, and a deeper capacity to navigate relationships with greater clarity and confidence.

A Buddhist Approach to Counselling and Psychotherapy

Buddhist teachings offer a rich framework for exploring some of life’s most challenging questions and experiences, including suffering, impermanence, loss, identity, relationships, and the search for meaning. Our approach integrates Buddhist perspectives into psychotherapy and counselling in ways that are responsive to your interests, values, and concerns.Depending on your interests, this may include mindfulness and contemplative practices, exploring how the Dharma can inform our understanding of suffering and the difficulties we encounter, or examining Buddhist ethics and the guidance offered by traditional texts, including the sutras and Jātaka tales. These teachings and stories can offer perspectives on compassion, wisdom, ethical conduct, and how we meet the challenges of being human.Buddhism is not a monolith. Its diverse traditions including Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna offer distinct teachings, practices, and philosophical perspectives. Whether you identify as a Buddhist practitioner, are curious about Buddhism, or are simply interested in exploring what Buddhist philosophy might offer, there is room to approach these teachings with openness and critical reflection.Although Buddhists represent a relatively small proportion of the world’s population, Buddhist philosophy and contemplative practices have attracted considerable interest beyond traditionally Buddhist communities. Engaging with these teachings in a Western context can create opportunities to explore questions of meaning, suffering, and well-being while remaining attentive to their cultural, historical, and religious contexts.Within Buddhist traditions, encountering the Dharma during one’s lifetime is often understood as a precious opportunity. The teaching of precious human rebirth invites reflection on how we live, how we respond to suffering, and how we use the opportunities available to us. This perspective can open a meaningful space to consider what matters most and how we wish to move through life.This approach is tailored to you. Buddhist teachings are not imposed as answers, nor is any particular belief or practice required. Rather, they may serve as resources for reflection, understanding, and spiritual guidance, alongside the concerns you bring to therapy. Together, we can explore whether and how these teachings may be meaningful within your own life.