My approach draws on psychoanalytic thinking, which revolves on one central idea: much of what we think and feel remains outside of our awareness. Sometimes we keep powerful feelings hidden so we can continue moving through the day, or we simply cannot find time to reflect on everything that is happening to us. In any case, keeping these potent experiences hidden may leave us feeling stiff, dreary, unfulfilled, or even numb and dull.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In our first session together we’ll start with brief introductions and dive right into your concerns. You will find the session to be relieving, and you will likely feel seen/heard. You will speak about how things have been for you. We will discuss your cadence for individual psychotherapy sessions and frequency. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow up sessions.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

Why did I act the way that I did? •Doubts, Depression are never on “speaking terms.” •In the “limbo” of overwhelm and irritability, •Acerbic wit = both admired & feared •Shame spiral, •Refined aggression, •Avoidance behaviors. What was I feeling at the time? •Anxiety, •Nervousness, •Nerves shot, •Half of what I say is meaningless, •I have a habit of veiling my face with a “smile.” •I’m often rigid when I’m “not well or at my best.” •Negative thoughts about the self, environment/world around you, about the future. •On the receiving end of veiled insults, disguised as complements “bless your heart.” Could I have acted differently? •Self Reflection, •Learn adaptability and flexibility, •Set Firm/Fair/Safe Boundaries, •Being willing to embrace the reality that I think “should” be different. •Little by little, return to self-compassion and don’t take my errors so personally. •Adaptive thinking = the ability to reflect in action and upon action, •Listen to the voice of my intuition, it often speaks in sounds, images or words. It can show me my orders; moment by moment. •Rest/Medicine/Nature/Acupuncture, •Give yourself the benefit of time/credit. •Notice your insecurities, but don’t act on them. •Foster your own independence, it’s always a “green flag” for exploration. •Don’t idealize other couples; what you see on social media is not what they are. It’s just them on a good day. •Results happen over time, not overnight. •Identify your best qualities as a partner. Write them down and recall evidence for each of them. It’ll make them feel real to you. I missed so many years? •Grief/loss •Annoyed in silence, •There is always a “going in my stay and a stay in my going.” •Realizing the pages of your life have turned, •Stuck in “problem finding” mode, •Time hasn’t paused for reminiscing, •Stingy with the truth = Self Serving “fibs” •Time aggravation = Current, Future, Existential, •Shame for the person you used to be, •Trauma = confusing and upsetting events Could I do something different now? •Self appreciation, •Detach from a “ habitual” solution, •Self-soothe, self-regulate, •Choose psychotherapy as a part of your overall “wellness plan” similar to developing healthy habits, •Set realistic expectations, •Monitor moods/triggers •Helpful reframing to improve my mood/outlook, •Enhance coping skills, •Increase engagement in meaningful activities. •A “no” to them may mean a “yes” to YOU. By understanding our core motivations, we can make choi

About Felicia Parker-Rodgers, LCSW, BCD, DACM Psychotherapist