Hey there! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California. I have been working in this capacity for approximately five years. The most important piece for effective therapy is a strong and supportive bond between you and your therapist. With a securely established bond some amazing things happen in terms of change and personal growth. Working with me is less like labor, and more like walking closer to the warmth of a campfire. Things do not necessarily get easier, but the hope as that you feel like you are getting warmer, or closer to what feels authentic to you and your values. It also doesn't hurt to have a potentially unbiased partner along for the journey.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In order to establish a trusting relationship, the first session is helpful for getting know each other. Questions of me and my experience are encouraged, while I too provide questions to better understand what brings you to therapy. The initial session from this view is less therapy, yet still therapeutic. We will spend around up to one hour to discuss areas of needed support, although these areas can change and evolve throughout our time together just as life does not stop providing strain.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Solutions and problem solving is necessary and often something we do with friends and family and continue to hold space for in therapy. Alternatively, what those close to us are often less skilled at, is holding space during times of pain without offering advice or critique. My skillset involves relationship building, authentic dialogue that explores ways to better ourselves, our families as well our communities. Therapy is an individualist approach to mental health. My hope is to also get into the larger themes of life that impact us, and what impact we can find our power in.
About Edouard Niedenthal Duret
Appointments
Virtual
My treatment methods
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
Intergenerational trauma impacts communities of color in particular ways. A provider with lived experience who incorporates intersectionality and the systems of oppression in addition to coping strategies and behavior or world view adjustment. My approach is rooted in Afrocentric/Black as well as Queer and feminist theoretical frameworks. The focus is on trauma and the way it manifests within ourselves, family and communities as the realities of socially determined health.
Narrative
Narrative therapy has been beneficial in providing the opportunity for story telling, a significant cultural practice widely shared around the globe as tradition. The use of narrative therapy is effective when exploring family dynamics from the past to the present, as well as how these bonds form attachments. The solution is not the goal, but more so holding space long enough to adopt a lens of grace. Grace for our history, our family, intimate partners, greater community, and grace for ourselves.
Feminist
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who incorporates the ethics of social work into therapy, I am always oriented toward Feminist theory. Social justice is the second ethic outlined by the National Association of Social Workers. Feminism is the belief of equity between the genders and key in addressing how we interact with the world and how the world perceives us.
Motivational Interviewing
Many people come to therapy to reflect and even change or adjust a behavior that causes harm. Motivational interviewing allows me to meet each person where they are at. That might mean we are getting ready to change, maybe not ready at all. My approach will validate your motivation for change as well as the unique way recovery works and looks for you.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
The mind and body are connected. The injuries we experience physically leave wounds and may require treatment as well as follow-up. Relational injuries such as growing up with an unsupportive parent, or something like infidelity or betrayal within a friendship or romantic partner also leave wounds that deserve healing. Mindfulness-based therapy provides self soothing techniques and strategies to manage emotions or we can also name as behavioral and mental health symptoms. These techniques are for healing the mind and body, engaging both to encourage space for healing. When we bring the two together within therapy, a person is left with skills and tools for stressful events and moments of strain we constantly endure. Breathing, involving the senses, and affirmative self-talk, include some of the areas that we can bring into therapy and use outside of therapy.
