About
The Alliance Approach
There is a lot of debate about whether psychotherapy should be brief and highly targeted or whether longer-term talk therapy still has a place. I believe both can help. Sometimes we need a clear goal and focused work. I also believe conversation can be genuinely helpful when we can be honest with each other. Honesty is not something I expect on command; it can take time to feel ready to say something out loud, or even to recognize it ourselves.
Sometimes we hold on to a story that once helped us make sense of an experience but leaves out pieces we have not yet been able to see. We may find ourselves talking in circles without getting closer to change. In those moments, we can slow down and pay attention to what is happening in the body: emotions, sensations, and protective responses that are hard to put into words. Deeper somatic, body-based work may become part of the process. Depending on what fits, we may also draw from EMDR, CBT, DBT skills, psychodynamic exploration, mindfulness, and continued conversation.
Sean O'Connor LMHC
EMDR Certified & “The Resilient Heart: Trauma-Sensitive HeartMath” Certified Practitioner
HeartMath & Nervous System Regulation
I also draw on trauma-sensitive HeartMath techniques when they fit. They combine comfortable, heart-focused breathing with attention to emotion and, when useful, heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback. HRV is the natural variation in time between heartbeats; HeartMath calls the smoother heart-rhythm pattern that can emerge during practice ‘coherence.’ The feedback offers one window into how the nervous system responds to stress. Practicing these skills may help you notice stress sooner, settle your body, and support everyday well-being. In therapy, they can serve as a grounding resource during trauma recovery or as a way to practice focus and recovery around athletic and professional performance. As with every approach, we decide together whether this tool belongs in our work.
Many painful experiences happen in relationships, and it can take time to feel truly safe with someone new. That is why the alliance between us matters so much to me. You do not have to show up with the right words or a polished version of your story. We can be real with each other, make room for whatever comes up, and let trust grow through the work itself. Some people work with me for weeks, others for months or years. I do not see therapy as a race toward a finish line. As long as we both feel our work is helping you, we can keep exploring what matters for as long as it makes sense.