AEDP Therapists in K2A
Jenna Dekoster
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
Ottawa, ON K2A (Online Only)
Life can be messy, and sometimes we need someone to help hold our stuff. My favourite part about this is assisting people to step into their power, give words to their feelings, and start creating a life they love. I firmly believe that human connection is the foundation of an abundant life. For this reason, I am passionate about working with people to improve their relationships with themselves and others. What this looks like is defined by my clients, but can include support with deepening understandings of themselves, overcoming people pleasing, increasing self-compassion, and getting out of their thoughts and into their life.
Life can be messy, and sometimes we need someone to help hold our stuff. My favourite part about this is assisting people to step into their power, give words to their feelings, and start creating a life they love. I firmly believe that human connection is the foundation of an abundant life. For this reason, I am passionate about working with people to improve their relationships with themselves and others. What this looks like is defined by my clients, but can include support with deepening understandings of themselves, overcoming people pleasing, increasing self-compassion, and getting out of their thoughts and into their life.
See more therapy options for K2A
AEDP Counsellors
Who is AEDP therapy for?
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) is for adults who have experienced emotional pain in the past that, because it has not been adequately addressed and processed, interferes with current functioning. The problems might manifest in a number of different ways, from excessive anger to relationship difficulties to PTSD to eating disorders, poor self-esteem, and depression. They may also be accompanied by physiological symptoms. AEDP helps people accept and digest challenging emotional experiences.
Why do people need AEDP?
People need AEDP as a way to manage distressing emotions—including anger, shame, and guilt—that in some way hamper the ability to function and form satisfying relationships in the present. The therapist-client relationship is believed to provide corrective emotional and relational experiences that facilitate positive changes in brain function, forge pathways for processing traumatic experiences, and allow resolution of emotional pain.
What happens in AEDP therapy?
Once individuals have established a strong bond with the AEDP therapist and the therapist has established a safe and secure environment, clients are encouraged to explore their most painful emotional experiences. They may be asked to pay attention to disquieting body sensations as well as to psychological discomfort. Individuals learn how to process emotions, rather than avoid them. Through the strength of the therapist-client bond, each session is intended to provide a powerful positive experience for individuals, enabling growth.
What problems does AEDP treat?
AEDP is intended to treat the unprocessed emotional pain caused by earlier distressing experiences, which commonly includes behavioural avoidance of current situations and experiences for fear that they will reactivate painful feelings. Emotional pain and avoidant behaviour play a role in a wide array of mental health conditions, which is why AEDP is applied to the treatment of a range of disorders including depression, anxiety, PTSD, relationship difficulties, and eating disorders.