My Therapeutic Approach
I have trained extensively throughout my career in various psychotherapeutic modalities. But, my focus has been on experiential therapies (not to be confused with “experimental”; experiential means "based in experience") and trauma-focused approaches, because I have always believed that the root of many mental health struggles is trauma, and that the path to change is experience. While talking about problems can be helpful, I believe having a transformative experience can change us in much more profound ways.
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In sessions, I work with people in mindfulness with present moment awareness to help them connect to their felt experience, so they don't just have insight into their patterns of being, but can contact and be present with them live in session with me. By working with these functional patterns while they are active, we can study them and understand them more deeply, and we can create new experiences that, over time, allow patterns that are no longer serving to be set free and replaced with more beneficial patterns that help individuals heal and move forward.
I began learning mindfulness and experiential therapy at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto, where I completed their one-year professionals training program. I then went on to achieve Level A certification in Emotion-Focused Therapy, and now I have immersed myself in Somatic Trauma Therapy and the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy approach, which has become my primary modality of practice.
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Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a gentle, compassionate, trauma-focused approach. It works with the whole person, including their thoughts, feelings, behaviours, bodies, and relationships with people and the world around them. Treatment starts from the inside out, initially focusing on building somatic (body) capacity and nervous system regulation, and then moving out, with safety being the true focus of treatment throughout. Safety within one’s body and safety within one’s life. Because only once we feel safe can we open up to the world and thrive.
With a foundation of safety, clients can then examine their patterns of being in the world that are limiting them, understanding that all patterns were once adaptive survival strategies that are simply no longer serving them in their current life. Once clients gain this awareness, we can work together to transform old patterns by creating new patterns or by gently processing out trauma that may have never left the body.
Common Q’s About Experiential Therapy
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What is experiential/mindfulness-based therapy?Experiential therapy is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the importance of experiencing emotions and situations in the present moment. Clients partake in exercises, role-playing, arts, outdoor activities, or other interventions in mindful present-moment awareness to gain insights and process emotions directly. This approach aims to uncover subconscious thoughts and behaviors, fostering self-awareness and emotional regulation. Experiential therapy enhances communication, interpersonal skills, and personal growth, making it beneficial for those with communication barriers, trauma survivors, or individuals seeking hands-on therapy. It promotes personal exploration, insight, and healing by facilitating meaningful experiences within the therapeutic setting.
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What symptoms does it treat?Experiential therapy proves effective in treating the following mental health conditions: Anger Anxiety ADHD OCD BPD Depression Eating disorders Grief Mood disorders Addiction Trauma Interpersonal Challenges
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What are the benefits?Experiential therapy has many benefits: Exploring and understanding past traumatic or conflictual situations, releasing negative emotions, and promoting healing. Encouraging intense emotional processing, facilitating deeper exploration of feelings. Confronting avoidance behaviors related to difficult experiences, fostering effective coping mechanisms. Gaining altered perspectives through psychodrama, leading to acceptance, forgiveness, and empathy. Expressing creativity through various forms of therapy like music, art, and drama, aiding in self-expression.
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How does it work?Experiential therapy operates on the principle from neuroscience that states "neurons that fire together, wire together". By activating somatic, emotional, and behavioural patterns live in sessions, it becomes possible to change those patterns by pairing them with new healing experiences. Over time, the more the healing experiences are paired with the old patterns, the more new brain pathways can form to support new ways of being. And eventually, these new pathways begin to replace the old pathways and become new automatic patterns. That is why simply talking about issues is often not enough to create lasting change, as people retain their old automatic habits. Experiential therapy enables more lasting change because it allows for positive patterns to become hardwired into the brain and body.
Common Q’s About Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
-
What is experiential/mindfulness-based therapy?Experiential therapy is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the importance of experiencing emotions and situations in the present moment. Clients partake in exercises, role-playing, arts, outdoor activities, or other interventions in mindful present-moment awareness to gain insights and process emotions directly. This approach aims to uncover subconscious thoughts and behaviors, fostering self-awareness and emotional regulation. Experiential therapy enhances communication, interpersonal skills, and personal growth, making it beneficial for those with communication barriers, trauma survivors, or individuals seeking hands-on therapy. It promotes personal exploration, insight, and healing by facilitating meaningful experiences within the therapeutic setting.
-
What symptoms does it treat?Experiential therapy proves effective in treating the following mental health conditions: Anger Anxiety ADHD OCD BPD Depression Eating disorders Grief Mood disorders Addiction Trauma Interpersonal Challenges
-
What are the benefits?Experiential therapy has many benefits: Exploring and understanding past traumatic or conflictual situations, releasing negative emotions, and promoting healing. Encouraging intense emotional processing, facilitating deeper exploration of feelings. Confronting avoidance behaviors related to difficult experiences, fostering effective coping mechanisms. Gaining altered perspectives through psychodrama, leading to acceptance, forgiveness, and empathy. Expressing creativity through various forms of therapy like music, art, and drama, aiding in self-expression.
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How does it work?Experiential therapy operates on the principle from neuroscience that states "neurons that fire together, wire together". By activating somatic, emotional, and behavioural patterns live in sessions, it becomes possible to change those patterns by pairing them with new healing experiences. Over time, the more the healing experiences are paired with the old patterns, the more new brain pathways can form to support new ways of being. And eventually, these new pathways begin to replace the old pathways and become new automatic patterns. That is why simply talking about issues is often not enough to create lasting change, as people retain their old automatic habits. Experiential therapy enables more lasting change because it allows for positive patterns to become hardwired into the brain and body.
Book A Consultation
Experience the transformative power of experiential and Sensorimotor treatment with Lukomsky Therapy. Schedule a free consultation today to begin your journey towards healing and self-discovery. Discover how our personalized approach can help you overcome challenges and achieve emotional well-being.