Authentic relating is a way of being with another person, in which you stay as present as possible to your own experience, while witnessing what is happening for another and what is coming up in the space between you. It is relational art in which connection can be built in the most raw, honest way.

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Authentic relating is the practice of engaging with others in a way that is honest, present, and emotionally real. It means showing up as your true self- sharing what you’re genuinely feeling or experiencing in the moment, while also being open and curious about the other person’s experience. It’s not about being raw or unfiltered for the sake of it, but rather about building connection through honesty, empathy, and presence.

 

Instead of performing, pleasing, or avoiding discomfort, authentic relating encourages people to:

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Speak their truth (gently and clearly)

Stay present in conversations

Listen deeply and openly

Notice what's happening inside themselves and between them and the other person

Create space for both people to be seen and heard without judgment

Authentic relating can be practiced in everyday life, in groups, or within therapy. In a therapeutic setting, it allows for a deeper connection between client and therapist-one that can support trust, self-awareness, and emotional healing.

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I am passionate about this practice because I believe it can provide the experience of coming alongside oneself in the present of another. I believe it can be a transformational practice, in that it co-creates freedom and expansion in a truly holding way.

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Authentic relating is something I strive to enact in my therapeutic relationships- my training and experience has taught me that it brings about an enlivening therapeutic alliance, that is deeply rooted in trust and freedom. However, if this is something you would like to explore in more depth, we can plan sessions that specifically focus on this kind of conversational adventure.