Mia Johnson

Life isn’t always easy. Sometimes, even the strongest people among us need some help to work through some of life’s more challenging problems. Everyone has battles to fight and hurdles to overcome at some point. Whether you struggle with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, or any other challenge, you should know that this is the interactive “story" of your Life. At any given time, you can jump in and rewrite the way the following chapters will go.

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Whether this is your first time in therapy or you have experienced it in the past, either successfully or unsuccessfully, it's important to understand that therapeutic work should constantly be organic and evolving. Usually, there's a pressing issue that brings someone, and it's important to address what is immediately needed, but it should not be a "One-Stop Fix Me" solution.

There are reasons why we are attracted to certain storylines in our lives. The goal is to understand why that is, what we are looking for, what needs to be changed …in order to achieve a different outcome, and then find ways to incorporate it into one's day-to-day life by acquiring the ability to self-examine thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Everything that we see think, and feel is associated with the Neuroscience of our brains and, in many cases, things that come up from our family of origin, the environment physically and emotionally that we were brought up in. That's why we call it "Family or Origin" work. You "see" the world because of the way you were taught and guided to. That doesn't alway help when you need to interact with other-because THEY see the world the same way-the way they were taught, or guided. When you know, and understand how you became the person you are today, you can then write the next chapters in your story to be the person you WANT to be, having relationships and communication with others to achieve that goal.

The majority of people who are looking for guidance and therapy don't necessarily fit an insurance company's diagnostic criteria. Rather, they're experiencing the feeling of having lost their way or not knowing why things happen and what to do next.

Working with Mia is Solution-based and Narrative (talk therapy), and very client-centered. In this type of therapy, you are the expert in your own life, and all the answers lie inside you; however, you see the world through your own perspective, and it's your perspective that needs to be examined if the stories that it tells you no longer serve you if they ever did, how they can be re-written. It's like a GPS on your journey.

Mia's training is very "Jungian. "

Sigmund Freud was considered the "founder" of psychotherapy and Carl Jung, his protege and successor. While Freud believed the answer to change was rejecting ingrained knowledge, Carl Jung introduced a new way of looking at how the subconscious part of your mind impacts the conscious mind. He understood that everyone is "born" with a certain personality type, the key to change was acceptance. Jung believed that you cannot change something until you accept it. You can't change what you don't "own. "

Doing Shadow work is a deep dive into your subconscious, tapping into stories that you learned early in life about how you look at things and people and, most importantly, how you perceive yourself. Everyone has a Shadow Self. It's the inner part of our personality, not always the face we show the world, and not always what we consider the best parts of ourselves. But they are a part of ourselves that we can choose to ignore, but we can't deny. Once we face our shadows, how and in what ways they can never be used against us. They no longer control us, but we control them. Neurolinguistics is the Art and Science of communication, and one's ability to communicate effectively determines the level of success (or failure) we have in any relational-based event, whether it be personal relationships, family relationships, friends, or work relationships. It's not just about how you see the world but also how the world sees you.

Why work with a Narrative therapist?

They're the storytellers of the therapy world. They believe in the magic woven into the fabric of our narratives, the spellbinding stories that shape who we are. But what makes someone choose this unique and fascinating journey?

First and foremost, it's the lover of stories. Narrative therapists are captivated by the intricate narratives we carry within us—the ones that paint the canvas of our lives. They see stories not just as words on a page but as living, breathing entities that hold the key to understanding, healing, and transformation. They are usually born with insatiable curiosity, and their first words are usually why. And the rest of their lives, they're trying to figure it out.

They have a deep appreciation for the power of words. and recognize that the stories we tell ourselves can shape our realities. So, Narrative therapist is like a linguistic wizard, understanding the alchemy of language and how it weaves the tapestry of our thoughts, emotions, and connections. They translate "perception," and can "mirror" back to you the difference between "I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure that you realize that what you "heard" is not what I meant. (Not an original quote, btw. but rather Robert McCloskey, a children's book illustrator and author as well as Alan Greenspan)

THIS IS PARTICULARLY HELPFUL IN DEALING WITH PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, be it with a partner, friends, children, co-workers, relatives, etc. See, when you're speaking to someone else (the closer and more familiar they are with you, OR how "entrenched" they are into what their perspective is-the MORE noticeable it is) while you're talking, they stop listening in order to "understand" and start preparing on how to respond. That's why sometimes it feels like you're hitting a brick wall. After working with parenting, couples, and individuals, I say it's like "white noise. " When you've heard the same thing again and again, understanding the "meaning" behind the words loses it's effect-it becomes "too" familiar, just like "white noise". It masks your intent.

Empathy is their compass. A Narrative therapist is the person who can step into another's shoes and navigate the landscapes of their stories with genuine understanding. It's not about judgment but about creating a safe space where every tale, no matter how tangled or tumultuous, is welcomed and embraced.

These are the people who find joy in collaboration. Narrative therapists believe in co-authorship; they don't come with a pre-written script. Instead, they invite individuals and couples to pick up the pen, guiding them as they write and rewrite the stories that define their lives and relationships.

Flexibility is their middle name. A Narrative therapist understands that stories are fluid and ever-changing. They're not fixated on one version but are ready to adapt, helping others explore the multiple facets of their narratives. It's like dancing through the chapters of life, embracing the twists and turns with grace.

And, of course, there's a touch of the adventurer in them. Narrative therapists embark on journeys through the jungles of the mind, exploring the uncharted territories of emotions, memories, and beliefs. They're not afraid of delving into the depths, knowing that hidden within the shadows are the gems of transformation.

In essence, the kind of person who becomes a Narrative therapist is the one who believes in the profound impact of stories and who sees the potential for growth and healing in every narrative arc. They are the architects of change, helping others rewrite the stories of their lives and rediscover the magic within. So, if you ever meet a Narrative therapist, know that you're in the presence of someone who believes in the extraordinary power of your own story.

A seasoned explorer of the human psyche, Dr. Mia approaches therapy as a collaborative journey, embarking on adventures through the jungles of our minds to discover the treasures hidden within our stories. With a contagious enthusiasm for unraveling the intricacies of communication, she invites her clients to embark on a transformative odyssey.

Armed with the alchemy of Neurolinguistics and Jungian wisdom, Dr. Mia dances between the conscious and the subconscious, decoding the intricate language of our minds. Through her gentle guidance, her goal is to help you discover the rich tapestry of your own narratives (the stories you tell yourself) and the powerful influence they wield over relationships, self-sabotaging beliefs, and life-altering experiences.

Neuroscience becomes a magical mirror, reflecting the intricate connections between our brain's dance and the stories we carry. It demystifies the neural pathways that shape our perceptions, revealing how rewriting our stories can transform the very fabric of our lived experiences.

So how do you get from there to here, and from here to where? You journey through the lessons that taught you self-sabotage and learn how to turn it into empowerment. Dr. Mia specializes in illuminating the shadowy corners where self-sabotage lurks. With the lantern of Jungian therapies like Shadow Work, she guides her clients through the labyrinth of limiting beliefs, helping them transmute self-sabotaging narratives into empowering tales of resilience and growth.

Life is a book of lessons waiting to be written. Through the lens of Neuroscience and Narrative therapy, she assists her clients in transforming life-altering experiences into valuable chapters of wisdom. Every setback becomes a stepping stone, and every challenge is an opportunity for growth

where transformation unfolds. Clients find solace in the understanding that they are not just passive characters in their stories but active authors capable of rewriting narratives to create a brighter, more fulfilling future.

Unlike a medical model who looks for dysfunction is not just a therapist; she's a friendly guide through the landscapes of your own story. With her warm demeanor and compassionate approach, she creates a safe space where healing and transformation flourish.