Melissa Kester, LMFT

Melissa Kester, LMFT provides therapy for individuals, couples and adult family members in Washington, DC; Florida, and New York State. By looking into past and present relationships, we work to develop new patterns and capacities with our clients to allow them more fulfilling relationships.

We are a community of engaged and thoughtful, systemically trained practitioners. Melissa practices indepth psychotherapy that incorporates systemic, relational, contemplative and psychodynamic therapy.

Resources

5 Winning Strategies

In Relational Life Therapy, we have five winning strategies. These strategies are relational tools we can use to support connection, curiosity, and relational safety.

 


5 Losing Strategies

Our 5 losing strategies are maladaptive relational tools we pull out in moments of emotional disequilibrium. These are methods we often saw people around us use or we used to be with our family as children.




 

Wise Adult/Adapted Child

In Relational Life Therapy, we have our centered self, Wise Adult, who is capable of flexible thinking. This is the person we are when we are not activated. We are capable of person-to-person engagement, rooted in equality and warm regard. We are not threatened by our loved ones’ views.

However, when we are activated, this can go out the window. Our adapted child comes on board, bringing with it the wisdom of protection from our childhood.

This chart is here to help you start to know who might be on board.

 

Relationship Grid

In Relational Life Therapy, when we are activated, we can go into any of these 4 quadrants. It is divided based on boundaries and grandiosity/shame.

 

Relational Time Outs

For my couples, when they forget how to manage their time-outs and keep them relational. Here are the principal elements of a Relational Time Out.

 

Domestic Violence / Trauma

Suicide Prevention

 

 










Melissa Kester, LMFT | 731 8th Street SE Washington, DC 20003
info@madisonmft.com  |  646-205-7606