A Therapy Approach That Blends Science and Soul
Compassionate, trauma-informed therapy rooted in connection, curiosity, and growth
Therapy isn’t about fixing what’s broken—it’s about tending to what’s human.
This therapeutic approach blends evidence-based psychology with deep respect for your inner world. Drawing from developmental psychology, attachment theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and the work of John and Julie Gottman, this work integrates science with soul. The result is therapy that is both grounded and deeply relational—structured, yet spacious enough for your lived experience.
At its heart, therapy is viewed as a shared journey—one grounded in compassion, curiosity, and collaboration—where awareness, resilience, and self-compassion unfold over time.
An Integrative, Evidence-Based Foundation
This approach is rooted in well-established psychological frameworks that are widely used in clinical practice and supported by decades of research.
Developmental psychology helps illuminate how early experiences shape emotional regulation, identity, and relational patterns across the lifespan.
Attachment theory offers insight into how we seek safety, connection, and closeness—especially in moments of vulnerability or conflict.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) supports individuals and couples in creating secure emotional bonds and repairing relational ruptures.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) provides a compassionate, non-pathologizing way to understand inner conflicts by honoring the different “parts” within us.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps build awareness of how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact, offering practical tools for change.
Gottman Method research informs healthy communication, emotional attunement, and relational resilience.
All of this is held within a trauma-informed lens, meaning therapy prioritizes emotional safety, choice, pacing, and collaboration.
A Belief in Nonlinear Growth
Growth is not a straight line.
Sometimes it’s a step forward.
Sometimes it’s a pause.
Sometimes it’s a gentle return to what still needs care.
This approach honors the reality that healing is nonlinear. There is no pressure for dramatic breakthroughs or constant progress. Instead, therapy supports a steady, compassionate unfolding—trusting that meaningful change often happens quietly, through presence, reflection, and consistency.
What Therapy Feels Like in Practice
The therapeutic style is rooted in connection and respectful directness.
You’ll experience:
Deep listening and thoughtful validation
Curiosity about your inner experience rather than judgment
Gentle reflections that invite new perspectives
Supportive challenges when they serve growth
Sessions may include:
Mindfulness and grounding practices
Experiential and emotion-focused exercises
Metaphors to help make sense of complex internal experiences
Psychoeducation to increase understanding and self-trust
Skill-building for emotional regulation and communication
Humor, when appropriate—because therapy can hold both depth and lightness
Over time, clients often notice increased clarity, softened inner criticism, and more authentic ways of relating—to themselves and to others.
Therapy as a Collaborative Relationship
Therapy is not something done to you—it is something built with you.
This approach emphasizes collaboration, mutual respect, and transparency. Your voice, values, and lived experience are central to the work. Therapy becomes a space to pause, breathe, and reconnect with your inner strength—while feeling supported rather than pushed.
Who This Approach May Support
This integrative therapy approach may be especially helpful for individuals who are:
Experiencing anxiety, stress, or emotional overwhelm
Healing from relational, attachment, or developmental trauma
Exploring patterns in relationships or family dynamics
Seeking greater self-compassion and emotional awareness
Wanting both practical tools and deeper understanding
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this approach evidence-based?
Yes. The modalities used—including EFT, IFS, CBT, and attachment-based therapies—are supported by extensive clinical research and are widely practiced in contemporary psychotherapy.
Do I need a clear goal to start therapy?
No. Therapy can begin with curiosity, uncertainty, or simply the desire to feel more grounded and connected.
Is this therapy structured or open-ended?
Both. Sessions are responsive and relational, while still offering structure, tools, and guidance when helpful.
**This therapeutic approach is offered by Catherine Tenedios Hayes is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Catherine practices at The Denver Village, where she provides compassionate, integrative, trauma-informed care rooted in connection, curiosity, and collaboration.
References & Resources
The following works and organizations inform and support this therapeutic approach:
Bowlby, J. (1988). A Secure Base: Parent-Child Attachment and Healthy Human Development
Johnson, S. (2019). Attachment Theory in Practice: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Schwartz, R. (2021). No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with Internal Family Systems
Beck, J. (2011). Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond
Gottman, J. & Gottman, J. (2017). The Science of Couples and Family Therapy
van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score
International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)
Internal Family Systems Institute (IFS Institute)
The Gottman Institute
