Milicent DeHart (She/Her)

Hakomi

Hakomi is a somatic, mindfulness-based experiential therapeutic modality that is trauma-informed and depth-oriented. I am currently a year into a two-year comprehensive training through the Hakomi Institute of Calgary. Hakomi operates from the guiding principles of non-violence, unity, mind/body/spirit holism, and mindfulness. In alignment with these principles, we will match the pace of therapy to match each client's individual needs and comfort level.

Somatic Therapy (Body Centered)

My somatic work is based in the Hakomi method, a somatic-based psychotherapy, and informed by polyvagal theory which helps us understand how the nervous system shapes experience. This method integrates a holistic understanding of the mind, emotions, and relationships with somatic experiences felt in the body. In therapy, we often explore present moment sensations, postures, spatial dynamics, or movements to support emotional regulation and deepen self-awareness.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

I utilize Internal Family Systems (IFS) throughout my work with clients to help develop awareness, improve relationship to self, and understand how you internally organize parts of your experience. IFS is used to help clients slow down, explore, and understand why they react or feel the way they do. Using compassion, we strengthen inner flexibility, connection, and relationship between parts of the client's self.

Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem can make it so much more difficult to navigate relationships, work environments, educational settings, & even alone time. I use a mindfulness-based experiential, somatic approach to explore underlying patterns & create opportunities for new emotional experiences that can reshape deeply held beliefs. Together, we work to integrate greater self-compassion & inner security on a deeper level than thoughts alone.

Anxiety

I approach anxiety from a compassionate and strengths-based lens that looks for the ways that anxiety is functioning as part of a system. Using an Internal Family Systems (IFS) approach, we explore what internal "parts" get anxious & in what ways those parts are trying to avoid danger & establish safety. With this improved understanding of the client's system, we work collaboratively to promote flexibility, improve the client's sense of agency, & develop self-compassion when anxiety arises.

Personal Growth

While therapy often focuses on treating a specific issue, it can be about more than managing symptoms. Personal growth is unique to the individual but may look like developing a better understanding of one's values, desires, & needs, feeling more authentic in relationships, or improving self-compassion. I use a mindfulness-based experiential approach to help clients explore what is true for them & develop the skills to move towards living a life that feels genuinely aligned with what they want.

Depression

Depression can be an isolating experience. I take a Person-Centered approach to treating depression working collaboratively to create a therapeutic relationship that is caring & attuned to what the client is really feeling underneath the mask that we can often feel pressured to put on around others. Together, we sit with the sadness, fatigue, & loneliness that can be a part of feeling depressed & slowly increase emotional tolerance, connection, & capacity to feel new or vulnerable emotions.

Relationship / Marriage Issues

Relationships are an important part of life for most people whether the relationship is romantic, platonic, familial, or otherwise. I use an Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) approach to help clients recognize interpersonal patterns of interacting, interrupt negative relational patterns, improve communication and understanding, and repair relational injuries. Using this approach, I help clients build more relationship security, availability, and connection.