We offer a variety of consultation formats and are happy to discuss an individualized plan based on your goals and needs. Below is an introduction to many of the kinds of consultation available, including astrology chart readings.
General Individual Consultation
An Individual Consultation is like therapy insofar as it entails a collaborative relationship between the therapist and the individual, is confidential, and focuses on the individual’s goals. Like our approach to psychotherapy, consultations at Aletheia involve attending to a person’s soul and inner wisdom. In contrast to psychotherapy, consultations address a specific, narrow issue and offer recommendations for addressing that issue within one’s life. Recommendations may include psychotherapy. A consultation usually consists of 3-6 sessions and may include a written report.
Examples of issues that may be addressed through consultation include:
- Considering a job or career change; discovering one’s ideal vocation
- Asking specific questions related to parenting
- Working with a single or recurring dream
- Exploring the impact of burnout, vicarious traumatization, or compassion fatigue on one’s well-being
- Deciding if one should enter individual or partner therapy
- Exploring a specific pattern that seems to repeat itself within one’s relationships
- Issues pertaining to sexuality
- Adjusting to parenthood and/or exploring whether one should return to work after giving birth
- Feeling blocked in one’s creativity or wanting to connect with one’s “creative-side.”
Astrological Alignments
Astrologial Alignments are a specific type of individual consultation, which utilize the archetypal language of astrology and are designed to align us with our highest potential. Based in a Soul-focused conversation and utilizing an individual’s internal wisdom, the therapist’s knowledge of psychological dynamics, the intuition of both, and the imagery, charts, and measurements of astrology, Astrologial Alignments take place over the course of three, hour-long sessions and conclude with specific recommendations.
The term “alignment” is borrowed from the chiropractic field. The theory underlying most chiropractic work is that misalignment of the spine results in miscommunications within the nervous system and between it and the rest of the body, thereby interfering with the body’s natural state of well-being. Likewise, something like miscommunications can happen within a person’s psyche and between a person and his/her world.
The word “alignment” also brings to mind, for me, the patterning of planets at any given time. Each of us is born under a specific pattern of planetary bodies, and we can chart this pattern, utilizing it to explore potential and obstacles for any given individual. “As above, so below” is the dictum of astrological practice, reflecting a belief in the interconnectedness of all life.
In order to participate in an astrological consultation, a person must present their birth data including exact time and place of birth. If, and only if, it is impossible to access this information (e.g., due to adoption or time not recorded on a birth certificate), then I am happy to work with you without a birth time and to refer you to astrologers who can help you un-cover your approximate birth time with a high degree of probability.
Sacred Space Consultations
Please see my design website, Vesta Design & Inspiration, for more information about services pertaining to creating sacred spaces.
Third-party Referred Consultations
Individuals may be referred to a psychological consultation or evaluation through a third-party as well. Often, such evaluations address questions related to the workplace, such as fitness-for-duty within one’s job, or legal issues. If you are being referred by a third-party, it is very important for you to be clear about the limits of confidentiality, payment arrangements, and ways in which a written evaluation or oral feedback could be used and by whom. We will help you to sort through this.
Organizational Consultation
Aletheia Psychological Services conducts organizational consultations for small to medium-sized organizations, focused on questions pertaining to the achievement of their highest potential. Such consultations often entail a thorough assessment of the problem or issues to be addressed, a didactic presentation, and experiential exercises aimed to help the group address the questions at hand. Consultations may include follow-up sessions that take place over a period of time, and may include a written report with recommendations.
Organizational consultation can address the following for any given group:
- Blocks to higher functioning that seem to exist at a group level
- Discovery of meaning in one’s work or functioning
- Enhanced access to the wisdom of both individuals within the group and the group as a whole
- Self-care for group members/ employees
- Increased creativity of the group and its individual members
- Awareness of interpersonal dynamics within a group
- Working through a group tragedy
Consultations/Trainings for Human/Social Service Providers
Specialized consultations for mental health workers or other service providers can be arranged. These consultations focus on burn-out and/or vicarious traumatization and include didactic information as well as experiential exercises aimed to begin a process of healing and/or growth.
Human service providers—including medical professionals, mental health workers, teachers, first-responders, and others— often find themselves in the position of witnessing tragedy or trauma, taking care of others’ needs, struggling with limited resources, and being asked to make life better for the individuals with whom they work. Such work transforms individual providers. It is therefore vitally important that those who perform helping roles take care of themselves as well. Whereas taking care of oneself by receiving massage, for example, can be helpful, self-care is also “more than massages.” It is about honoring one’s boundaries, enhancing self-awareness, recognizing and accepting one’s limits, and connecting or re-connecting with that which inspires passion. In other words, it is a process more than an event.
In order to be most useful to you, these consultations begin with an assessment of an individual’s or organization’s needs and goals. Various forms of consultations can be arranged for providers, including regular, ongoing meetings and one-time interventions.