Member Spotlight: Andrea Tirone

Andrea Tirone is in the spotlight this week. Take a look at her particular gifts as a psychotherapist and what she finds most fulfilling about this type of healing work. Andrea also offers some great insights around self-talk, self-care during COVID, and how she finds that having the choice to create is key to creating balance and happiness in life. 

Andrea Tirone, MA, RP (Qualifying), CH

Psychotherapist

Fave food: Pizza
Fave book: The Four Agreements
Fave flower: Rose 
Fave tree: Willow
Teacher/elder you give special thanks to: My grandmothers 

Read More

http://www.blankcanvastherapy.ca

1. How would you describe your work, to somebody that doesn't know anything about what you do?

As a psychotherapist, I work with individuals and groups who are seeking emotional and psychological support.  I do this through the use of several psychotherapeutic modalities, including experiential and somatic, in a physical or virtual space  that is non-judgmental and serves a sacred container for their story.  

2. What kinds of issues do you have a particular gift with supporting people through?

I work with people on a variety of concerns, however, my therapeutic approach is especially helpful for people who are on the precipice of change in their life. This could be a new job, a geographical move, leaving or joining a relationship, welcoming or releasing a life - whatever it happens to be, I work with people as they adjust to the meaning of these changes in their lives and help them process the loss of their 'old life' as we work together. 

3. What is the most fulfilling part about working with this specific healing modality?

I love the 'a-ha' moments that clients have, both in session and those they explain happened between sessions.  I am especially grateful when a client experiences these moments outside of a session, because it is a deep testament to the work they have committed to doing for themselves, in the way that works best for them.

4. What are some of your go to pieces of advice to help someone cultivate more self-confidence?

As a psychotherapist, I stay away from advice giving, however, I do offer clients suggestions and invitations to help them build a stronger sense of self-confidence.  A common concern for most people is the ability to effectively and confidently communicate with others.  The first place I would start with a client is the question, "how do you communicate with yourself?"  Exploring the nature of their self-talk - are they impeccable with their word when it comes to speaking to themselves? - can build a foundation for clients to expand their self-talk outward.  Using their words impeccably, which is a framework I take from the book, "The Four Agreements", will give clients better agency in how they communicate with themselves and others. ​

"Exploring the nature of their self-talk - are they impeccable with their word when it comes to speaking to themselves? - can build a foundation for clients to expand their self-talk outward." (Andrea Tirone)  

5. How does somebody find out if you are a good fit for psychotherapy with you, or not? 

Finding a therapist that is a 'good fit' takes time, patience and discernment.  In most of my therapeutic relationships, I would say that it takes an average of 3-5 sessions for a client to get a good sense of their trust in the therapist, first, and second, whether the style and methods used by the therapist are a good fit for what they want to do.  This can be especially difficult if someone is new to therapy, because they may not know what therapeutic approach will work best for them, and on top of that, they have to feel comfortable with the person who is on the other side of that work.  I offer potential clients a free 20 minute phone consultation where we can speak about their concerns, they can ask me about my approach and practice, and I can get a sense of the goals they would like to work towards through therapy.  In these phone calls, I offer a suggested framework for how we might work together and if applicable, I provide insight on therapeutic modalities that may work best for their stated goals.

Book Andrea

6. If you were to write a self-help book, what would the topic be, and why? 

I would love to write a book called, "How to Communicate from my Adult Self".  It would be based on transactional analysis, where the idea, simply, is that we have different ego states, the Parent, the Child and the Adult.  In every interaction we have, there is a transaction between one of these ego states within us and within the other.  Sometimes, we come up against resistance from another's ego state and feel trapped, as if there is no way out of a transaction that seemingly only goes back and forth.  Helping people ground in the state of their Adult Ego can move transactions from frustrating to fruitful, or at least bring them to a less combative end. 

7. Do you have a daily self-care practice or ritual that is helpful for you?

For me, movement has become a very important part of my day.  Since COVID-19 shut-down in-person activities for a good portion of this year, I no longer have my daily commute, by foot.  Instead, I have made time in my days to go for neighbourhood walks, to do some at-home yoga and am contemplating the purchase of an indoor stationary bicycle for some increased cardio.  Most of my work is done seated, so making sure I have time in my day to be on the move is key.

I am the one who attaches meaning to everything that happens to me and to the things that I witness around me.  Having the choice to create meaning helps me maintain balance and the feeling of being content in my life.

8. What do you think are the key ingredients to living a happy life? 

For me, it is knowing that there is balance in my life.  There are always going to be things I desire to have and things I am grateful I don't have to experience, however, I am the one who attaches meaning to everything that happens to me and to the things that I witness around me.  Having the choice to create meaning helps me maintain balance and the feeling of being content in my life.

9. What is a quote that you resonate with, which reflects what you believe in & what you practice?

I like this quote from the book Cloud Atlas: "Travel far enough, you meet yourself".

Stay tuned for a follow-up article, showcasing our Community Engagement Coordinator's personal experience with Andrea!