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Tori Olds, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist512-461-4828 Tori@DeepEddyPsychotherapy.com |
| Individual Psychotherapy |
As a therapist, I am honored by the opportunity to help individuals find greater peace, strength, and fulfillment. Often our lives are so busy, there is very little opportunity to stop and discover where support is needed. Taking this time for oneself, whether to reflect on one's life, to work through difficult emotions, or to gain awareness as to one's reactions or beliefs, can be transformative. In facilitating this process, I typically guide clients in slowing down and "being with" themselves more fully. I try to template this level of attentiveness through my own emotional engagement and respect for the client and his or her experience. In this way, clients and I can collaborate in an atmosphere of openness and safety to address whatever is on their hearts or minds. Another word for this process of "being with" that I described is mindfulness. Research has shown that learning how to hold a mindful awareness of one's emotions as they are experienced in the body can facilitate emotional regulation (stability), increase one's sense of self, and improve one's ability to interact with others. Learning how to hold compassionate awareness of one's experience as it unfolds is a key ingredient to letting go of old pains, discovering oneself more deeply, and becoming more able to move through daily stresses and emotions without getting stuck. I have also found that developing self-compassion opens the way for greater intimacy with oneself, which in turn makes it easier to be intimately connected with others. I therefore believe it is important to address feelings of self-judgment and shame through gaining insight into the role these "critical voices" play and through fostering deeper levels of self-love and self-respect. In essence, my goal is to help clients learn to be with themselves, and to be with others, in healthier, more productive ways. While this is a core component of my practice, I certainly make space for a variety of specific interventions that may be helpful for a particular concern. For instance, I often incorporate relaxation training, communication skills building, or other forms of psycho-education as needed. |
| Group & Couples Therapy |
As stated, I believe that how one relates to one's experiences and how one brings this experience into relationship with others is a key component in emotional health. I therefore often encourage clients to engage in group therapy alongside individual counseling. Group therapy is uniquely beneficial in helping individuals understand their relational patterns and giving them an opportunity to practice new ways of relating. Group can be a safe environment in which to explore one's self and one's reactions to others, as well as receive feedback and support. Group therapy clients receive insight into themselves and experience the healing that comes through connection with others. For individuals wanting to strengthen their intimate relationship, couples therapy can also be tremendously beneficial. Learning to work through emotions in a respectful, caring manner with one's partner is not only helpful to the relationship, but provides a source of growth and healing for both partners. Developing communication skills and gaining greater understanding of one's self and one's partner opens the way for deeper intimacy and joy. |
| Areas of Clinical Interest |
I have particular interest and/or clinical experience in working with the following: young adult concerns, depression and anxiety, sexual identity concerns, existential/spiritual issues, eating disorders, IBS, relationships, and parenting (particularly in attachment theory and training parents from an attachment perspective). For more in depth information as to how I practice, please click on the below link. It will take you to an overview of my current understanding of what mental health is and how therapy works. There I discuss the theory and research that informs my approach and connect you to a number of relevant links for further study. For now it is also featured on the homepage of this site. |
| Background |
I attended a small liberal-arts college in New England, Middlebury College, where I majored in modern dance and English. I received my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Texas A&M University. My husband, Glenn, is also a psychotherapist. Beyond this shared interest, we enjoy spending time in nature and "care-taking" the land we own in Vermont. I also enjoy singing and song-writing and engage in meditation. I received 3 years of training in holistic healing at the Jaffe Institute of Spiritual and Medical Healing. |
| Please feel free to contact me at 512-461-4828 or Tori@DeepEddyPsychotherapy.com for more information about my practice or to schedule a session. |