Practically Present

Focusing Guidance with Paula

There is nothing wrong with you that needs to be fixed. There is something within you waiting to be heard.

What is Practically Present and Focusing Guidance?

When we work together, you won't find me telling you what you should think, feel, or do. I will be interested in what is happening for you right now and I will help you slow down enough to notice it for yourself. I may ask you to pause, check in with what you are sensing inside, or stay with something that catches your attention rather than quickly explaining it away. Sometimes we will exlplore what is happening in a relationship and how each part of you may be affecting the other. Sometimes something that initially seems like a problem to solve may reveal something quite different when you give it a little space. I primarily use Inner Relationship Focusing (IRF) to support this process, but my approach is also shaped by decades as a speech-langage patholgist, my understanding of communication and human development, and my own ongoing inner work. I bring curiosity, presence, and a willingness to not already know where something needs to go. My role is not to fix you or give you a polished version of yourself. It is to create the kind of space where you can discover more of what is already there and begin to bring that into your relationships and your life.

What is Inner Relationship Focusing (IRF)

My practice is based primarily on Inner Relationship Focusing (IRF) which is a refined approach to the standard Focusing process, emphasizing the

relationship you have with your inner experiencing. It involves a gentle, non-judgmental way of being with yourself that creates space for healing and growth. In this practice, we learn to listen to the subtle 'felt sense' within, allowing our inner wisdom to guide the way toward deeper clarity and authentic change.

You May find Inner Relationship Focusing Helpful if You...

Feel stuck

When you feel unable to move forward or find yourself repeating the same patterns without knowing how to break free.

Struggle with emotions

If overwhelming feelings or numbness are difficult to manage, Inner Relationship Focusing offers a gentle path through.

Want more clarity

Gain deeper insight into your inner world and find a clearer sense of direction in your daily life and decisions.

Struggle in relationships

Improve how you relate to others by first understanding and softening your own inner critical or reactive parts.

Want to trust yourself

Develop a lasting sense of self-trust and inner confidence by learning to listen to your body's innate wisdom.

Private Support For Parents

While I work with people in many caregiving and helping roles, supporting parents is a central focus of my practice.Parenting can be wonderful, but it can also be deeply challenging. When standard advice doesn't seem to fit, having a dedicated space to slow down and understand what is happening—both within yourself and for your child—can make all the difference.My approach is deeply informed by my background as a speech-language pathologist. After decades of working with families, I have seen how deeply parents care and how fiercely they want to do right by their children. At the same time, it is easy for a parent to lose sight of themselves in the process. I help parents turn that care and compassion toward themselves—becoming their own ally and finding their inner strength. Together, we explore what you are experiencing, what you deeply need in your role as a parent, and what matters most to you in your relationship with your child.I bring this perspective to Inner Relationship Focusing (IRF) through what I call Mutual Influence: the understanding that parent and child are continually affecting one another, while each maintains their own distinct inner experience.Rather than trying to manage or "fix" your child, I help you bring awareness to what is happening within you and between the two of you. From that place of self-trust and presence, you can discover your own way of responding—one that holds clear boundaries while remaining authentic, connected, and right for your family.

Practically Present Focusing Guidance with Paula