Philosophy and Therapeutic Approach

We often hear there is “nothing that can separate us from the love of God.”  However, there may be times in our lives when we feel separated from God’s loving presence and thus feel void of peace, joy, motivation, or worth. There may be times we struggle with our relationships, worry about the future, or find ourselves “stuck.” In these times, it can be difficult to even feel the loving presence of others in our lives. These seasons are difficult to endure, but please know that you are not alone–there is hope and help. I count it a privilege to walk alongside teens, adults, and couples, especially those serving in ministry or leadership. My goal is to honor and encourage you along your journey to a place of greater peace and wholeness.

Each therapeutic encounter is an opportunity to experience the power and presence of God.  In order to experience this transformative reality, I invite you to bring your unique self to therapy. As we explore and process, my commitment is to provide a safe, non-judgmental, and empowering space where I can offer clinical expertise, pastoral skills, and research-based tools such as brainspotting, EFT (Emotionally-Focused Therapy), or ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) for your personal growth and transformation.  

I work with individuals and couples from an attachment lens. Through this therapeutic approach, I help you address and resolve past traumas and attachment wounds that may stem from various times of your life.  I believe that we see attachment language interwoven throughout all of scripture, from the old testament to the new, from the interdependent relationship cultivated between man and woman in the garden of Eden, to the many members that comprise one body, to the beautiful interplay of God as our Heavenly Father who calls us friend. 

What to Expect in Therapy

Choosing to begin therapy can be a difficult decision to make. I’d like to applaud you for taking this initial step!  As your therapist, I believe that it is important to journey with you at your own pace.  Along this journey we will engage in personal exploration, discovery, insight, and growth. 

From our very first encounter I will work to foster a warm, gracious, trusting, and safe therapeutic space where you feel comfortable sharing and fully engaging in the therapeutic process. There will be successes and inevitable challenges, yet rest assured that I will be present, listening, encouraging, and there to support you.

Our first few sessions will serve as an opportunity to get to know each other and I can answer any questions you may have about therapy. This time is the perfect space for you to give voice to matters that are important to you as we collaborate in the development of your therapeutic goals. From there, our journey begins towards a destination of life that is “full of joy, peace, and abounding in hope” (Romans 15:3).  

I want you to know that I value your individual spiritual journey.  While the tenets of my Christian faith, love, joy, grace, peace, forgiveness, kindness, etc., permeate my therapeutic approach to therapy, I will not impose my ideologies upon you.  However, to the degree that you are comfortable with incorporating faith into the therapeutic process we will make space for it.  If you would like, I will gladly incorporate prayer, scripture, and spiritual practices into our sessions.  

Personal Qualifications and Experience

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a heart for people, desiring to see all people live into their best created selves.  Even before becoming Christian, others would note my natural inclination towards empathy and compassion for others. I was often the one who friends and family confided in and sought for words of advice during times of adversity, opportunity, or uncertainty.

However, my official journey in becoming a counselor began when I acknowledged my call to ministry in 2004.  At the time, I recognized that God was summoning me into a life of intentional service to Him but I did not know exactly to which particular area of ministry I was being called.  My desire to learn more of God and His Word led me to Duke University.  While at Duke Divinity School I met and married my husband and became the wife of a pastor.  

My new identity as a wife, in particular a pastor’s wife, in combination with feelings of shame and guilt stemming from my family of origin led me to seek out counseling through the university.  Although my counseling sessions at the university aided me in conceptualizing my presenting issues in healthier ways, those sessions did not allow me to incorporate my faith into my therapeutic process. In addition, the new dynamics of my identity as the spouse of a pastor provided me with the opportunity to counsel with a multitude of individuals, couples, singles, children, and families who were in need of counseling that extended beyond traditional pastoral care.  

Upon graduating with my Masters of Divinity from Duke University, my heart for people led me along a seven-year professional journey of providing support services in community mental health agencies working with children, adults and families impacted by psychological, emotional, behavioral, and substance abuse disorders.  My work as a community support service provider contributed to my growing passion to serve others through counseling.  In 2012, I received a Masters of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from North Carolina State University and continued my work  serving community agencies and my local church as a therapist. I am a licensed counselor in the state of Colorado.   

The journey that began for me in my youth that matriculated through Duke Divinity School in my wholehearted search for God culminated with me finding God, my myself, and my calling to counseling. (Jeremiah 29:13)

Personal Interests

My Christian faith is the cornerstone of my life. My relationship with God is the helm from which everything good and perfect gift of my life stems and the reason for my being and serving others.  I believe that St. Augustine says it best when he says “God is the life of the life of my soul.”  

I love spending time with my family!  My husband is a pastor and we have been married and serving in ministry for over 16 years.  We have 4 very active and joyful children.  Our pastoral ministry journey began in Durham, North Carolina before transitioning to Denver, Colorado. We currently reside in Pittsburgh, PA where we are actively surrendered and serving in ministry.  As a family we enjoy worshiping together, playing board games, and watching movies (although I’m usually asleep before it ends ☺).

My personal interests are traveling, reading, singing, and trying new recipes.

check out blogs written by taihesia

• Oneness in Marriage & How Premarital Counseling Can Help
• Meet Taihesia (An Introductory Q&A-Style Blog) 

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