From Overwhelming Stress & Self-Critique to Self-Regulation & Nurturing Self-Presence

MARA’s JOURNEY

*Note: Name has been changed to maintain confidentiality

Mara epitomizes dedication. Her remarkable drive and passion for her profession have always led her to give everything she has. However, when she came to me, Mara was navigating through an intense phase of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion.

Living perpetually on edge, Mara felt besieged by a barrage of racing thoughts and worries. Her inner critic, a relentless voice, echoed her feelings of inadequacy. Faced with this mounting pressure of emotions, she felt that if she paused even for a moment, her world would crumble, consumed by overwhelming despair. To persevere and keep moving forward, Mara's only recourse was to push these feelings aside, burying them deep within, all while keeping up a tireless pace.

For years, she had convinced herself that she was too busy to address her emotional and mental state, always hoping for solace after each looming deadline. Engulfed in her professional obligations, Mara often felt estranged from her personal needs. And even when moments of clarity revealed what she truly needed, her internal resistance often prevented self-care. Yet, deep inside, she yearned for something different- for tranquility, balance, warmth, presence, connection, and self-love.

“I had been in talk therapy for years prior but had felt like I’d hit a “ceiling” with its benefits - I could identify some of my triggers and understand where they came from, but I wanted more concrete tools and strategies to actually heal from those original wounds.”

Throughout our sessions, I guided Mara as she courageously ventured into the underlying feelings of fear, shame, and self-judgment within her body, meeting them with warmth, understanding and compassion. We delved into the coping mechanisms she had unconsciously crafted, mechanisms that had emerged when she hadn’t had the resources to face her raw emotions.

Together, we witnessed and resonated with the most hidden, vulnerable, fearful parts of her past self, paving a path towards the self-affection and understanding that had long seemed out of reach.

“Over time I found myself shifting towards extending more of this kindness toward myself even outside of our sessions. In destabilizing moments of overwhelm or anxiety, I have been able to recall the practices and exercises that Ariane has taught me to connect with my body sensations and practice self-soothing and self-resonance.”

We explored the voices of her internal critics and the facets of her being that leaned towards self-devaluation. With time, Mara honed her ability to discern these voices, cultivating an inner relationship with them instead of becoming consumed by their harsh reproaches. She learned to engage with them, not just through reason, but with authentic self-empathy and a nurturing presence.

“Every time I have a session with Ariane, I feel amazed by the power of her approach. I truly believe it would be so transformative for anyone who is struggling with their mental, emotional, and/or physical well-being and wants to try a new approach to process and heal from their trauma.”

Now, armed with her rediscovered inner warmth and resilience, Mara feels more comfortable BEING WITH and managing her anxieties and emotions. She has rekindled the flame of self-compassion, allowing herself the grace and understanding she's always deserved.

In this renewed state, she is more able to find the balance between her demanding professional obligations and her intrinsic needs. Moreover, she's become more comfortable slowing down, engaging in self-care, and truly relishing treasured moments with those she cherishes most.

“To anyone who is feeling unsure, I highly recommend just trying one session and witnessing Ariane’s approach for yourself - I promise it will feel different from any other therapy you’ve had before and might just be exactly the turning point you need in your healing journey.”