My Philosophy

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My Philosophy

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01 Christine Shalala Psychotherapy

My Philosophical underpinning

The philosophical underpinning of my clinical work revolves around principles derived from Acceptance and Commitment therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and narrative therapy. In my opinion, the three theoretical yet philosophical approaches to therapy create a foundational base for helping clients in therapy gain insight into the contextual factors impacting relationship dynamics. Therefore, they strongly inform my practice.

To many of us it is too complicated and overwhelming to navigate, alone, through the loss experienced as a result of trauma. It requires deep understanding to how we can manage our thoughts and feelings within our relationship dynamics to structure and build relationships where we can feel safe and allowed to make new meaning of our losses; and how to let go of belief systems that have deterred us from healing and from telling our narratives confidently.

Trauma survivors usually identify with those through whom they have been bereaved, which makes it hard to let go and connect to their true sense of identity. They tend, instead, to find other ways to compensate for the loss.

We tend to compensate for the loss by replicating past relationship experiences, in an effort, to fix a mistake or restore a person we missed or restore an opportunity we lost. It can be detrimental as our ‘tendency to compensate’ can leave us feeling powerless and hopeless for not having saved or restored a moment or a person in the past.

To help individuals whose identity has been shaped by traumatic experiences move from the past to the present; and build full autonomy, I have developed a model of therapy that carries multidimensional aspects to help facilitate healing during which clients are encouraged to consider developing a non-conflicted, authentic, integral personality. A personality that is unchangeable due to roles and circumstances but genuine, aligned and fully developed.

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.