Janice LaFountaine

LMFT

I have created an overlay that I apply to my work with clients called Soul Unity: Soul Unity is the principle applied to evidence-based practices, uniting with the inner connection to create trust within one's locus of control. This allows trust in inner guidance and intuitive wisdom, leading to balance, peace, active mindfulness, and coherence within self and reality. It is a systematic approach that utilizes the most effective interventions gathered over many years as a therapist and through meditation and mindfulness studies. These tools create a blueprint for living with intentional consciousness. Active Consciousness • Seek out knowledge and tools that create an awareness of the authentic self • Incorporate active consciousness into daily life through practices such as meditation, which cultivates inner observation and awareness • Understanding ego structure influences on conscious choices and actions • Moving out of reacting and operating in auto-pilot Emotion Integration • Use specific tools to clear and resolve past trauma from various sources, including childhood experiences, relationship violence, mind-control or manipulation, natural disasters, military-related experiences, and religious control • Use evidence-based techniques to help individuals process and integrate their emotions related to past trauma • Build awareness and acknowledgment of emotions, practice gratitude, release negative emotions, and harmonize the mind and body. These techniques are supported by research and are widely used in the field of trauma therapy Resonance and Alignment through Conscious Creation: This approach acts as the organizing principle that shows you what to act on, in what order, and when. It presents the path of least resistance, allowing you to flow through life in alignment with your highest potential. Additionally, it connects you to all other expressions of your inspiration, passion, excitement, and joy. Using these ingredients for conscious creation will reveal any beliefs that are out of alignment with your highest potentials. • Follow what Sparks Inspiration/Passion/Joy, or Excitement o Follow Your Inner Guidance: The feelings of excitement, joy, and passion are signals from your higher self or inner wisdom. These feelings can arise from any moment, not just major life decisions. When faced with multiple options, choose the one that brings even a slight increase in inspiration. o Discern True Inspiration: Ensure that your beliefs are not causing anxiety or agitation to masquerade as inspiration. Similarly, do not confuse intense excitement with fear or anxiety. • Move Toward Inspiration/Passion/Joy with Full Commitment o Utilize Your Talents: Leverage your skills, talents, imagination, and abilities to take action. Give your best effort in everything you do. o Choose and Move Forward: If multiple opportunities are equally actionable, select one and let it guide you. Continue pursuing it until you can no longer proceed, then move on to the next most exciting task. o Recognize Limitations: Be aware of signs, reflections, and agreements that indicate an inability to act. These can include physical limitations, societal laws, moral values, and ethical standards. • Avoid Attachment to Specific Outcomes o Stay Open to Possibilities: Understand that insisting on a specific outcome may prevent a better manifestation than you imagined. The inspiration you feel may not need to come to fruition; it might simply be guiding you to take action and create the necessary state of being for the actual manifestation. Flow/ Soul Unity • Being in flow within all the areas worked on through therapy: embody new insights and awakenings • Taking responsibility for creations in reality: adjusting where desired and revisiting where stuck • Allowing, surrendering into, and trusting in inner wisdom and intuition to develop innate knowledge and understanding which can guide towards greater self-awareness and personal growth.

I use EMDR for my work with trauma, complex trauma, PTSD and cult related trauma: EMDR, short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a powerful psychotherapy approach that helps individuals process and heal from distressing or traumatic life experiences. It is an evidence-based treatment that has been extensively researched and proven effective in addressing a wide range of psychological difficulties. It focuses on the idea that disturbing memories or traumatic events can get "stuck" in our nervous system, leading to ongoing emotional and psychological distress. The therapy aims to facilitate the adaptive processing of these memories by accessing the brain's natural healing abilities. During an EMDR session, the client's attention is guided back and forth between different stimuli, such as eye movements, tactile sensations, or auditory tones. These bilateral stimulations help stimulate the brain's information processing system, allowing the client to reprocess distressing memories in a safe and controlled environment. EMDR can produce noticeable results in a shorter time compared to traditional talk therapy. The targeted nature of the therapy often brings about significant changes within a limited number of sessions. It has a strong research base supporting its effectiveness in treating various mental health conditions. Numerous studies have demonstrated its positive outcomes and long-term benefits. It recognizes the mind-body connection and considers the importance of emotional, cognitive, and physiological aspects of healing. EMDR does not require clients to extensively talk about traumatic events in detail, making it suitable for individuals who may find traditional exposure-based therapies challenging. It helps individuals reprocess traumatic memories in a way that promotes lasting healing and resilience. It aims to address the root causes of distress, leading to sustained positive changes. Soul Unity EMDR for Trauma Within the context of Soul Unity Therapy, EMDR can be utilized as a powerful tool for trauma processing and reprogramming. Here's how it can be integrated: EMDR can help identify and address the disruptive programming that causes obstacles and barriers that keep you stuck. By targeting specific memories or experiences through bilateral stimulation, we can facilitate the reprocessing and resolution of these obstacles by releasing energetic cords and stuck energy or programming. This involves incorporating visualization techniques and cognitive interweaves alongside bilateral stimulation to promote the release of disruptive attachments and toxic programs related to past traumas. We will facilitate the process of being present and embodying new insights and awakenings gained through therapy. By processing and resolving traumatic memories or disruptive programming, EMDR can help move out of reactive patterns and operate from a place of conscious awareness and inner guidance.

I use a holistic therapeutic approach centered on "The Gottman Method," supplemented by my own model, "Soul Unity Therapy." I also incorporate "Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy" and other family systems tools when appropriate and beneficial to specific situations. By intertwining these methodologies, I provide a comprehensive toolbox to address a wide range of relationship concerns, ultimately facilitating harmony within your relationships. I cater to all kinds of relationships, including those of alternative lifestyle choices. My practice enthusiastically welcomes clients who are interested in expanded consciousness, meditation, or spirituality, as these elements are intertwined within all aspects of my work and are considered top priorities for my practice. For all couples, I highly recommend we use the "The Gottman Relationship Checkup." (see below for more information. Attached, you will find detailed information about this tool for your review. We will use this comprehensive report as a roadmap for developing a personalized plan for you. While waiting for our first session, I recommend reading the book, "Hold Me Tight," by Sue Johnson. Many clients have expressed that the insights from this book alone were transformative, enabling them to progress without needing further therapy. I endorse any materials published by The Gottman Institute, specifically "The Seven Principles For Making Marriage Work." However, feel free to choose any resources that resonate with you personally. An additional beneficial tool is Gary Chapman's book, "The 5 Love Languages." This book has also been pivotal for many clients, assisting them in resolving specific issues they were struggling with. It will be an integral part of our collaborative work. Programs that we carry from childhood and throughout life can result in relational misunderstandings, dramatic situations, and intense feelings of separation. The Soul Unity Processing Method (complemented by EMDR) can be employed in sessions with both partners present or added as an individual session to boost the effectiveness of this holistic approach to couples therapy. Please feel free to inquire more about this during our session. The following is from the Gottman Institute: The Gottman Relationship Checkup "A new online assessment that automatically scores a couple’s strengths and challenges. This clinical tool consists of 480 questions about friendship, intimacy, how well you know your partner, how you manage emotions and conflict, how you share your values and goals, and what gives meaning to your lives. There are additional questions about parenting, housework, finances, trust, and individual areas of concern. The questionnaire is completely confidential, fully HIPAA compliant, and your therapist will be the only person to see your responses. The Gottman Relationship Checkup is a breakthrough in couple’s therapy as it allows for a confidential, efficient way for your clinician to complete the evaluation process. By using this new technology, your assessment can be done at any time and in the setting of your choice! Upon completion, it automatically provides valuable clinical information by pinpointing specific strengths and challenges in your relationship, while also suggesting actionable, research-based recommendations for therapy. You can feel confident in your results. Drs. John and Julie Gottman created this research-based assessment in collaboration with The Gottman Institute to help couples build a personalized treatment plan with their therapist. Dr. John Gottman is a clinical psychologist who has completed more than 40 years of research on couple relationships, and is recognized as one of the top 10 most influential therapists of the last quarter century. Dr. Julie Gottman is a highly respected clinical psychologist who is sought internationally by the media and clinical organizations as an expert advisor on relationships. Together, they have dedicated their lives to helping couples, and The Gottman Relationship Checkup is the result of this life work. How it works: 1. Accept your invitation: Your therapist will send each of you a separate email inviting you to The Gottman Relationship Checkup. 2. Create a private profile: Once you have accepted the email invitation to join The Gottman Relationship Checkup, you and your partner will each create individual, separate profiles. 3. Complete the questionnaire: You and your partner will each complete your own questionnaire at your convenience. Stop and start at anytime. Neither partner will be able to access the other’s information at any point in the process. In order to pre-serve the integrity and accuracy of the tool, you are encouraged not to share your responses with each other or log in to your partner’s account. The actual time it takes to complete each assessment varies, but it will take, on average, about two hours. 4. Get your results: When you have both completed your individual questionnaires, your therapist will be notified and will be able to securely log in to review your scores and the analysis of your relationship. Your therapist will be able to discuss the results with you and suggest a treatment plan for improving and strengthening your relationship." Created by Drs. John and Julie Gottman in collaboration with The Gottman Institute