Dana Fears (she/her/hers)

Any individual that is diagnosed as Bipolar or depression is going to find increased difficulty in actualizing his or her needs and wants. Therefore, utilizing a humanistic approach when looking at the impact of bipolar disorder on the individual’s ability to empathize with others seems only natural. Key ingredients include: empathy, unconditional positive regard, a non-pathologizing approach, active listening, and restatement of client's words to attest to clarity of genuine understanding.

Grief is another common reaction to chronic illness. Various stages of grief including denial, bargaining, anger, and sadness. You may feel you're on a roller coaster of emotion—accepting one day and angry the next. EFT incorporates elements of experiential therapy such as gestalt and person-centered approaches, systemic therapy, and attachment theory. The goal of using this approach for me is to: de-escalate, restructure interactions, and consolidate one's time spent experiencing symptoms.