It's easy to focus on the superficial aspects of a weight loss journey, the before and after photos, and the numbers on the scale. However, the journey of Kara Sewell, like many others, is about more than just pounds shed. It's about personal growth, resilience, and choosing hope in the face of challenges. It's about finding empowerment and identity, and developing a deeper understanding of oneself.
The Initial Challenges
Many individuals embark on a weight loss journey following a crisis or during a period of suffering. This suffering can be connected to a crisis such as divorce, illness, the death of a loved one, adjustment to a new culture or loss of employment. At other moments the reasons behind our suffering are not so clear.
Weight loss is always more than just the weight. It is a journey of self-discovery.
Seeking Support and Guidance
Navigating a weight loss journey can be overwhelming, and seeking support is often a crucial step. Consider counseling the first step in your journey. Finding hope is difficult and it is often considered life’s biggest question. Without it, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and anxious; however, when you choose yourself, you are choosing hope.
There are many therapists who can help on this journey.
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The Role of Therapy
Therapy can provide a safe space to explore the emotional and psychological aspects of weight loss. Working together on a therapeutic journey will guide you to regain a sense of empowerment and identity. My experience as a counselor has led me to understand the importance of developing a nonjudgemental and secure relationship together. Providing this space allows for growth and progress on the journey to overall wellness.
Therapists employ a compassionate holistic strengths-based approach that considers the unique needs and preferences of each client.
Different Therapeutic Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This approach is rooted in evidence-based practices that focus on the connection between core beliefs and behavior.
- Strengths-Based Therapy: This technique focuses on the client's progress and success.
- Gestalt Therapy: This approach focuses on stepping forward in our lives, rather than staying stuck in our old ways, needing to understand in-depth what holds us back.
Addressing Underlying Issues
Often, weight loss plateaus happen because of underlying issues that have not been addressed. Many folks I collaborate with are navigating the aftermath of trauma or adverse experiences, seeking pathways to healing. They confront challenges such as C-PTSD, eating concerns/body image issues, and codependency, with the aim of identifying triggers and managing unwanted behaviors more effectively. Their journey is towards processing past traumas, fostering resilience, and reclaiming their lives. They aspire to convert their pain into strength, nurturing healthier relationships with both themselves and the surrounding world.
The Importance of the Therapeutic Relationship
The most prominent component that comes to mind is rapport and therapeutic bond. If one cannot identify with their clinician, it can be quite difficult to open up and trust. Being vulnerable with your suffering and shortcomings is a difficult task but one worth undertaking. My focus is on assisting each individual with feeling accepted and supported while working to create change.
Beyond the Physical: Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
Kara Sewell's journey highlights the importance of addressing mental and emotional wellbeing alongside physical health.
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Managing Challenges and Transitions
Are you ready to face challenges, actively engage in meaningful decision making, negotiate change, and move beyond feeling stuck? Perhaps your weeks have been blurring together. Perhaps you've noticed that you're living according to your past, rather than your current values. Perhaps you're ready for something different, but don't know where to start. Or perhaps you're in need help navigating transitions, managing adult ADHD, or balancing personal or family life with professional goals.
Overcoming Negative Core Beliefs
As a high performing person who has been in therapy before, you still struggle with your relationships and with your self-esteem. That negative core belief (I'm not enough; I'm unlovable, etc.) you have about yourself is still there and won't go away. You find you either overreact or under-react. Old thoughts/feelings, excessive anxiety, addictions, ruptured attachments, low confidence or depression has you feeling stuck, and you want better for yourself and for those around you. You want your inner world to match the goodness of your outer world. You want congruency.
Finding Empowerment and Identity
Working together on a therapeutic journey will guide you to regain a sense of empowerment and identity. My experience as a counselor has led me to understand the importance of developing a nonjudgemental and secure relationship together. Providing this space allows for growth and progress on the journey to overall wellness. My approach involves exploring mental blocks or guards that hinder you from experiencing your innate strengths. Together we will work on emotional processing, finding strength based evidence, and developing positive coping skills based on your individual needs.
The Role of Self-Compassion
Therapy happens in relationship so I adopt a style of warm interaction, respect, sensitivity, and compassion while supporting you to grow and develop effective coping strategies.
The Journey Continues: Growth and Self-Discovery
Growth is central to psychotherapy. As a psychologist with over 20 years experience providing patient-centered therapy, I aim to partner with you to authentically navigate key life transitions blocked by problematic behaviors, feelings, thoughts, or memories. Our work together will include uncovering opportunities for personal growth within change, even when they seem hidden. My approach combines evidence-based techniques to address immediate concerns with strategies for fostering genuine, long-term personal development.
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Shifting Perspectives
After working as a Gestalt therapist for many years, I have shifted to Life Coaching in the belief that we can step forward in our lives, rather than staying stuck in our old ways, needing to understand in-depth what holds us back. Through awareness and emotion, you will come to understand who you are and what it is you can offer in life, and develop that core to its highest potential. Together we will bring your longing more in line with your goals…
The Holistic Approach
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider and Certified Health and Wellness Chef who specializes in working with clients motivated to improve their mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. I have worked with preteens, adolescents and adults in a variety of settings and employ a compassionate holistic strengths-based approach that considers the unique needs and preferences of each client. My goal is to provide quality services to those who are faced with challenges in their lives and are seeking assistance in effectively managing these challenges. Everyone's journey is different and I am privileged to be able to embark on this journey with you. I am licensed in the states of Florida and New York.