Get a sense of the work we will do together before starting
Wellness, not illness
The storms of life are inherently human. They are not a sign of brokenness or weakness. Seeking refuge and healing is a sign of determination, strength, and resiliency rather than a sign of weakness or being mentally ill. Adopting a wellness rather than illness model, I see people as “stuck” rather than “sick.” Choosing to see the work I do this way is a stance against the stigma that prevents people from seeking out therapy in the first place. It’s a stance against the Western medical model of diagnosing and pathologizing which tends to be like putting out a fire with gasoline. Believing that there is a healer in you just as there is a healer in me, I blend the science of attachment, a trauma-informed sensitivity, and an experiential focus to all of the work I do. My hope is that our work together will empower you to deepen compassion and courage towards yourself, towards the tender burdens you carry, and towards the relationships around you as you reshape the narrative of your life.
All parts welcome
Understanding unique cultural and spiritual aspects of your identity is really important to me. Different parts of your identity hold privileges, oppression, suffering, tradition, hopes and longings, offer you a sense of belonging and community, and influence the way you define and move towards the construct of security. Aspects of your identity like your sexuality, gender identity, spirituality, race, socioeconomic status, age, and place you live greatly shape who you are and can shape our therapeutic work together. I extend an open invitation to all the parts of your identity, especially those parts of self that have been marginalized by dominant culture. It is also important to explore any cultural differences and how they may impact our work together. Because I have parts of my identity that reflect oppressive elements of dominant culture such as white supremacy and white privilege, patriarchy, and male dominance, it’s really important we can gently and openly move towards any activation. If you have any questions about how parts of your identity, especially marginalized parts of your identity could be weaved into our work together or how we may navigate differences, I’d love to hear from you.
Bradley Unruh LLC is an LGBTQ+ affirmative practice, a practice dedicated to the ongoing pursuit of anti-racism, and a practice welcoming those who cary identities outside of heteronormative and monogamous dominant cultural groups. There are specific considerations we can examine in our work together if you are a part of the LGBTQ+ community, if you are a person of color, and if you don’t identify as monogamous. If parts of you cary marginalization and oppression, it’s likely that your mental health and relationship struggles are being influenced by systemic elements like lack of family or community support, societal prejudice, and oppression from systems created by and for those in dominant majority cultural groups. If you have any questions or concerns about how our work together would safely consider all parts of you, please reach out.
Expanding attachment science to self
Attachment science is behind everything I do as a therapist. We came first to understand attachment styles through Bowlby and Ainsworth’s research which focused on relationships between caregivers and children. That research expanded more recently to help us understand adult relationships, primarily romantic relationships. Much of the research on adult attachment has been formed around the heterosexual monogamous couples. Attachment theory in its history has assumed that secure attachment is based on external relationships and that feeling secure in yourself will follow. In the study of human attachment, here’s a new world we’re exploring. Secure attachment to self. Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an evidence based model that flips the coin of attachment around. The research within IFS suggests that within every person, no matter what they’ve endured, no matter what needs haven’t been met, is a compassionate curious “self.” And by learning to access self, we naturally begin relating to our inner world. Just like any blossoming relationship, the parts of our inner world feel connected to, important, seen, and accepted. Physiological and neurological shifts that regulate our nervous system flow out of relationships being formed inside. Our brain and body can safely ease from a baseline of survival into a baseline of openness. Without relationship to our self, our parts are left to fend for themselves avoiding or eliminating one another out of fear and desperation. With a relational resource available inside, the parts of us that hold burdens of pain finally get to experience care and tenderness. The healing of secure attachment is available within us all. Secure attachemnt to self ignites neuroplasticity in our brain around this sense of safety which opens up more vulnerable communication in us that we can use with others externally. It can help us hold more compassion and curiosity towards others. And with this secure base in self, we trust there’s a place to explore from and return to. Unlike previous understandings of attachment which assumed a nuclear family, assumed heterosexuality, assumed whiteness, and assumed monogamy, IFS is an inclusive model by design. So the concepts are more applicable to diverse and marginalized folks such as people of color, those in the LGBTQ+ community, and to those who don’t identify as monogamous.
Modern and safe
My telehealth platform is easy to use with your computer or phone keeping everything in one place. It’s simple, safe, and convenient. With the platform I use, you can even upload journal entries, medical files, and other personal information right into a HIPAA compliant portal to reduce the risks associated with texting or emailing. There’s also an option to use encryption software for emails as well which we can talk about if needed. At this time, digital telehealth is my only treatment option.
