Anja Striepke AthR, MA AT (Clinical), Dip G Psych, ANZACATA
I offer Gestalt Psychotherapy and Art Therapy to adults in:
Individual therapy Supervision Art therapy groups
It can be a big step to seek support through therapy/counselling, especially when you feel overwhelmed or stuck in outdated repetitive patterns. I will meet you as a fellow human being, and offer you my wide variety of therapeutic skills and life experience. In this safe and non-judgemental space we will navigate your situation together and at your pace. My Holistic Therapy Approach My approach is informed by Gestalt therapy principles, which is emotion-based and awareness-oriented and ultimately aims to support you to feel in charge of your life, have a solid sense of yourself, and lead meaningful and safe relationships. All of you is welcome, as I believe that all aspects of you (even those you struggle with) have validity and a reason to exist. I will support you to understand yourself, find compassion, and learn new ways of responding to challenges. I do so by offering talking therapy which we can expand on with creative expression and mindfulness techniques to the degree you are comfortable with.
I furthermore utilize the following therapy approaches: Art Therapy can bring playfulness into the session with the use of art materials. Through gentle creative exercises you can find symbolic expressions for your situation, thoughts and feelings. This may offer unexpected outlooks on your situation, and a new way of expressing yourself. No prior experience or creative talent required! Parts work is a way of ‘acquainting’ the different and sometimes controversial voices and needs within, which constitute the inner psychological landscape. Examples of these are: the inner critic, the inner child, the warrior, procrastinator, people-pleaser, know-it-all, protector, etc. As we explore their different agendas and how they are attempting to keep to you safe, you deepen into understanding yourself and learn new ways of cooperating with them. Body wisdom. Often the body holds tension from past experiences and trauma and is therefore a reliable indicator of the impact something has had and still has. By gently checking in and ‘being-with’ body sensations (to the appropriate degree and only if it is helpful!), tensions can be released. Mindfulness and meditation: I will encourage you to observe your reactions neutrally, so that you learn to detach from strong associated feelings. This will help you to assess your situation with more clarity. If desired I may also provide meditations for calming, feeling more grounded, centring in the heart, and more.
Background and Experience Originally from Germany, I found my home in New Zealand in 2006, and started my private practice in 2016. My upbringing in diverse countries such as Nepal, Cameroon and Germany have taught me to deeply honour each person within their unique cultural and personal context. I have many years of experience as a counsellor and workshop facilitator for women at the Women’s Centre Christchurch and the Women’s Health Collective in Wellington. I have also worked in adult mental health and as an art educator for children and youth. I have extensive experience with meditation and “soul-search” modalities of all kinds.
Contact You can contact me via email anja.striepke@gmail.com or phone 021 022 72 013. You may also use the contact page on this website or go through my personal website: www.heartsoultherapies.com
“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do.” ~ Brené Brown
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