Rhea Lester

Welcome to my website, I'm grateful you've chosen to take this step towards self-care. Every individual deserves the support and guidance therapy can offer. My therapeutic approach is centered around you, the client, and is deeply informed by trauma-sensitive practices. I firmly believe that you are the expert of your own life, and it's your direction that guides our journey together. Drawing from a variety of modalities, I tailor our sessions to suit your unique needs and goals. As an IFS Level 2 trained therapist, I specialize in Internal Family Systems therapy. Through this approach, we delve into your inner world, fostering self-awareness and understanding. By recognizing how your thoughts and emotions serve to protect you, we pave the way for healing and growth. Importantly, IFS is non-pathologizing, allowing you to transcend diagnostic labels and embrace your full potential. I integrate various modalities such as Somatic Work, EMDR, and IFS. Through techniques like IFS and EMDR, we navigate traumatic memories, fostering resilience and self-compassion. Somatic practices, including visualization and meditation, offer avenues for profound healing, allowing you to release stored distress and embrace a more embodied sense of well-being. By combining these approaches, we unravel limiting beliefs and dysfunctional patterns, paving the way for personal transformation. As you cultivate awareness and self-compassion, you'll discover newfound agency in your mental health journey. I offer Supervision for LPC-Associates doing individaul or group sessions to help associates gain hours towards licensure. Please contact me for more details about availability. Additionally, I'm incorporating breathwork techniques into my practice, harnessing its power to process and integrate emotions. I am also a Trauma Conscious Yoga therapist and am pursuing my credentials as a Registered Yoga Teacher. I also am working on certification as a Neurodynamic Breathwork Facilitator which is based on principles of Holotropic breathwork to help my clients with more healing opportunities when going into deeper states of consciousness. In my downtime, I cherish moments with family, and I indulge in reading, biking, practicing yoga, and exploring different cultures through travel. Remember, your well-being is paramount. Don't hesitate to reach out and prioritize yourself. You are worthy of the time and investment in your growth. Warmest regards, Rhea ____________________________________________________ A deeper understanding of IFS, EMDR, SFBT, Breathwork, Somatic work: Internal Family Systems (IFS): IFS operates on the premise that our psyche is composed of various "parts" or subpersonalities, each with its own beliefs, emotions, and motivations. In therapy, clients learn to identify and engage with these parts in a compassionate and non-judgmental manner. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a specialized therapy that helps individuals process traumatic memories and alleviate associated symptoms. During EMDR sessions, clients recall distressing experiences while engaging in bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping. This process facilitates the reprocessing of traumatic memories, enabling clients to integrate them into their broader life narrative in a more adaptive way. Breathwork: Breathwork techniques involve conscious control and manipulation of breathing patterns to induce a state of relaxation and self-awareness. By focusing on the breath, individuals can regulate their nervous system, calming the fight-or-flight response often activated by distressing emotions. This regulated breathing can create a sense of safety and stability, allowing individuals to approach challenging emotions with greater ease. By applying breathwork techniques alongside other modalities like IFS or EMDR, individuals can establish a grounded presence, facilitating deeper exploration and understanding of their internal dynamics. The regulated breathing can help clients stay present and centered as they navigate interactions between different parts, fostering integration and harmony within the internal system. Somatic Approach: The somatic approach emphasizes the mind-body connection, recognizing that emotional experiences are stored not only in the mind but also in the body. Through somatic practices such as body scanning, mindfulness, and gentle movement, individuals can access and release stored emotional energy. When combined with breathwork and IFS, the somatic approach provides a holistic framework for processing difficult emotions. Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT): SFBT is a goal-oriented approach that focuses on identifying solutions rather than dwelling on problems. In SFBT, therapists collaborate with clients to envision a future where their concerns are alleviated, and small steps are taken towards achieving their goals. By incorporating SFBT into the therapeutic process, clients are empowered to tap into their innate strengths and resources, fostering a sense of agency and resilience. Integration for Holistic Healing: By weaving together these approaches, I work together with my clients to create a comprehensive and holistic framework for healing. Each modality offers unique insights and tools for addressing different aspects of the client's experience, allowing for a multifaceted approach to therapy. Clients benefit from the synergy of these modalities, experiencing greater coherence and integration within themselves. Through this integrated approach, clients can cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and empowerment, ultimately leading to a deeper sense of wholeness and well-being. Reach out today, you're worth the time! Warmest Regards, Rhea