The Model

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THE Model

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01 Christine Shalala Psychotherapy

My Model of therapy

What is it?

My therapeutic model is a holistic, integrative approach shaped by both clinical training and my own lived experience. It draws on Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Attachment Theory, and trauma-informed practice to support women navigating separation, divorce, and the impact of controlling or emotionally difficult relationships.

This approach offers a gentle and supportive space for women to explore how past relationships may have affected self-trust, sense of identity, and confidence in making choices that feel right for them. It focuses on helping women reconnect with themselves, strengthen boundaries, and develop a steadier, more grounded sense of who they are. As clarity and self-trust return, women often find it easier to make decisions that align with their values and to engage in relationships in ways that feel safe, balanced, and respectful.

Theory Behind the Model

This approach is grounded in the understanding that distress often arises when innate needs, desires, or longings are suppressed or unmet, often due to early relational trauma or negative experiences. These longings act as an internal compass, guiding women toward growth, meaning, and fulfillment. Healing begins when women reconnect with their desires, acknowledge unmet needs, and process grief without judgment, guided by principles of authenticity, self-compassion, and genuine self-expression.

Application of the Therapeutic Model

Building on its theoretical foundation, this model helps women transform longing into meaningful change. Women reconnect with themselves, strengthen boundaries, clarify values, and cultivate self-autonomy, enhancing confidence, resilience, and psychological flexibility.

The model is grounded not only in established therapeutic theory but also in my own lived experience. Engaging with these principles in my own life has shown me how they can reshape self-trust, support autonomy, and foster a more integrated, grounded sense of self.

This personal insight informs my work, allowing me to guide women with both clinical clarity and experiential understanding. Therapy unfolds at a respectful, sustainable pace, supporting women to release old relational patterns, rebuild confidence, and nurture lasting change in self-identity, relational choices, and overall wellbeing.

Therapy for women navigating separation and divorce

Separation and divorce can be emotionally overwhelming. Many women feel pressure from family, friends, or from within to be strong, move on quickly, or prove they’re coping. Alongside the grief and upheaval, many women notice a quiet but profound loss of self-esteem or a sense of not knowing who they are anymore. Healing isn’t about pushing pain away, rushing to “get back to normal,” or pretending everything is fine. It’s about creating space for what shows up including uncertainty, self-doubt, and identity shifts while still taking small, meaningful steps toward the life you want to build.

You may have spent years adapting to a controlling or emotionally domineering partner, doubting your own needs, or carrying the mental and emotional load for everyone else. In my therapeutic work, I support you to reconnect with yourself and strengthen your voice both internally and within your newly emerging relationship dynamics. My approach prioritizes:

  • A safe, respectful, and confidential space where women feel heard and understood
  • A collaborative and attuned therapeutic relationship tailored to individual needs
  • Validation of experiences such as confusion, self-doubt, or internalized blame
  • Recognition of coercive control, chronic emotional invalidation, infidelity, betrayal trauma, and fears of abandonment
  • Support to grieve both the relationship and the imagined future, integrate experiences, and build a coherent, empowering life narrative

Healing becomes less about “getting over” the past and more about learning how to carry it differently with self-compassion, improved emotional regulation, and a renewed commitment to the values that will guide the next stage of your life.