Relational Method PLLC

09/27/2024

Relational Method PLLC is now in network with most Cigna PPO Plans! If you are interested in learning more about the services I offer and setting up an initial consult to see if I am in network with your specific plan, please visit my website at www.realtionalmethod.com

09/03/2024

Relational Method PLLC is now in network with most Aetna PPO Plans! If you are interested in learning more about the services I offer and setting up an initial consult to see if I am in network with your specific plan, please email ashleyu@relationalmethod.com

06/10/2024

It is always important to prioritize all areas of our health and have resources that help with every aspect of it. Here are some suggestions that can help you to jump this process!

05/10/2024

Ana Gomez states that when people go through stressful life events that they usually will form parts of themselves that either help or protect them from adversity.

These parts have different qualities and behaviors they encourage someone to engage in to help keep them safe.

She uses animal metaphors to help explain the different types and kinds of parts of ourselves.

We may have needed to run fast like a cheetah to escape a situation so now we have a cheetah part.

We may have needed to change our colors like a chameleon to protect our hearts from hurt so now we have a chameleon part.

We may have needed to shut down for long periods of time if we were trapped in a scary situation like an ostrich with its head stuck in the sand so now we have an ostrich part.

These parts of ourselves can come up at later points in our lives to try to protect or help us through similar life events.

While there are no bad parts of ourselves, sometimes these parts will emerge to try to help us out and may no longer feel helpful.

Mental health therapy can be a great space to become more aware and understanding of our parts. We can find a space together to show compassion to those parts that helped keep us safe in the past. We can also find ways to let them know when we do and do not need them anymore.

If you are interested in learning more about Ana Gomez, please see the following page: https://www.anagomez.org/

03/11/2024

Relational Method is offering a new type of service for individual children, teens, and adults, EMDR therapy!

EMDR stands for Eye Motion Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy.

The interventions in the model help people to heal from stressful life events or traumas they have experienced through bilateral stimulation.

Bilateral stimulation are particular movements that we follow, usually with our eyes, that can help with reducing the vividness of the emotions, thoughts, and body sensations associated with the memories we have stored.

As a part of the model, a person does not need to retell details of their experience and is not required to do homework outside of session.

EMDR helps to guide the brain in the moment towards reprocessing memories and healing where things do not feel as "stuck".

EMDR therapy can also help people with symptoms of anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, grief/loss, panic attacks, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, phobias, .

If you are interested in learning more about EMDR and would like to set up a consultation call, please email ashleyu@relationalmethod.com

Here is more information on the model from EMDRIA where I am receiving my training: https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/

03/01/2024

I really appreciate everyone who attended my CE Event today on Helping Couples Rekindle Intimacy. Thank you Family Counseling Service for hosting me! 😀

02/26/2024

It's not too late to sign up! I will be giving a CE presentation this Friday March 1st from 9am to 12pm at Family Counseling Services for anyone who is interested in learning more about helping couples rekindle intimacy. Below are more details on the event and how to register.

02/22/2024

Upcoming Continuing Education Seminar for Mental Health Professionals! 🎓

Helping Couples Rekindle Intimacy ❤️
Date: March 1, 2024
Time: 9 am - 12 pm
Location: Family Counseling Service - 70 S. River Street Aurora, IL
CEU Hours: 3.0
Fee: $65
Presenter: Ashley Ullyot, LMFT

Register Now: https://buff.ly/3SRm0h6

View our full list of seminar offerings in our Spring CEU Digital Brochure: https://buff.ly/3UFhvbV

02/12/2024

Thank you Alexandria Gohla from Bluebird Counseling Services for hosting me on your podcast show, The Nest! It was great getting to speak about family play therapy! If you are interested in learning more about this topic and others, please go to their spotify page to listen:

Podcast · Alexandria Gohla, MSW, LCSW, Ed.S · Local West Suburban Chicago therapists help you to create the life, love, and relationships you want. If you are looking for more information from your favorite guest podcasters on their topics, read their blogs here: https://www.bluebirdcounselingserv...

02/12/2024

Please join Ashley Ullyot LMFT and Family Counseling Services on March 1st from 9am to 12pm for the In Person CE seminar, Helping Couples Rekindle Intimacy!

The seminar will offer three CE hours to a variety of licensees including counselors, social workers, psychologists, and MFTs.

To learn more about the presentation and sign up for it, please go to: https://aurorafcs.org/

12/30/2023

Please consider going to Angie's incredible pop up yoga classes! She is incredible!

We're incredibly excited to be offering two Trauma Informed Yoga Classes in January led by our awesome trauma specialist, Angie Young! Please contact us for more information!

Yoga is a powerful therapeutic tool that has been proven to strengthen mind-body connection, help with mood regulation, and decrease anxiety. The practice's focus on mindful breathing and gentle movements regulates the nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety. For those dealing with trauma, yoga aids in reconnecting with the body, fostering a sense of calm, and promoting self-awareness. The emphasis on controlled breathing significantly impacts the traumatized nervous system, leading to improved emotional regulation, increased resilience, and an overall enhanced sense of well-being. It proves to be a valuable complement to traditional therapeutic approaches, providing a profound and tailored healing experience!

12/06/2023

I see you, I hear you, I believe you. These are aspects of co-regulation that are essential.

Co-regulation occurs when one person's nervous system is able to attune to another. It starts with an awareness and understanding of our own body sensations, breath, tone of voice, and other cues. When we know what we feel in our bodies, we can help guide others towards being aware and understanding of their bodies. When we notice someone else may be experiencing something intensely, we can help guide them towards feeling through it.

These types of interactions start between caregivers/infants and expand later in life to our friendships and romantic partners. They can increase levels of trust, connection, consistency in relationships.

Here is a step by step guide to co-regulate:

Sharing observations of what we are noticing another person doing and asking questions to better understand what they are feeling

Reflecting aloud about what we are feeling and sensing in our bodies

Model aloud what helps us to regulate through a particular feeling

Offer to engage in an activity together where co-regulation can occur

Here is an example:

You notice that your child's shoulders are raised and they are breathing heavily. You reflect aloud to them, "I noticed that your shoulders are raised and you are breathing heavily, I do this too when I am nervous. Taking a deep breath helps me when I am feeling nervous. I am going to take a breath now". If your child needs a breath too, they will start to breath with you. After you both have taken some time to breath, reflect on the process and ask how you can do that again together when nervousness comes up. Overtime, with practice and consistency, your child will become more aware of and understanding to their body sensations and engage in self-regulation.

If your child is not feeling what you have guessed and does not engage in breathing, you can re-engage to ask what they are feeling, describe the feeling, and identify another regulation technique.

To learn more about co-regulation and increase moments of it in your connections, you can schedule a consult call with me at 708-918-4293 or www.relationalmethod.com.