David McCallum

Earlier on in my social work career, I worked for a number of years in front-line mental health roles. During this time I gathered a deeper understanding of the social determinants of wellness for those I supported. I attuned to the stories that the various parts of their inner systems told and how they had been shaped along the way by a wide variety of experiences, some marked by sorrow and pain and others marked by a sense of joy and hope. Eventually, I was inspired to practice psychotherapy, via the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS), to act as a guide for others in recognizing the inherent power of their stories. This recognition, infused with a sense of compassion and curiosity, helps wounded parts to soften and heal within your system.

My ongoing goal is to hold space for Self energy during our therapy sessions. The qualities of Self include: compassion, curiosity, creativity, calm, connectedness, clarity, courage and confidence (see the 8 Cs of Self). Together, we will also hold space for choice. We are always attuning to what is best for your system at any given moment throughout our therapy sessions. This is essential to the process of deepening relationship between the Self and the different parts of your system. As we grow in relationship with parts, trust deepens, and freedom amplifies within the system. Parts get to choose what they want to do vs. feeling like they must do something to ensure your survival. As you progress throughout your healing journey, I will hold onto the hope that your own parts will grow in relationship with your Self and experience all the freedom that they so deserve.