I utilize a variety of therapeutic approaches in my practice, depending on what I see as best suited for each client’s individual needs. I understand that therapy is not “one size fits all.”
I integrate what I see as the best parts of each therapy approach that I’ve studied in order to deliver a comprehensive service for my clients. I have studied many types of therapy, and I am always seeking out more information. I regularly take courses to learn about different treatment modalities or therapeutic interventions. However, there are a few approaches that really ring true to me and seem to be very helpful to my clients. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR Therapy, and Mindfulness.
I’ve recently brought EMDR Therapy into my practice, and I feel much more equipped to take on issues that once seemed daunting. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a powerful treatment, and a tool that I am grateful to have. Once I was trained in this approach, I believed that it could help some clients make great progress, where other strategies had failed. EMDR Therapy was originally designed to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). But we now know that it can also be very helpful for people who don’t have PTSD, but who have experienced adverse life events that still affect them (and, let’s face it, who hasn’t?). EMDR Therapy is intensive, and requires a client to be courageous in order to reprocess difficult memories of past experiences. However, I firmly believe that this can be a gateway to remarkable healing. The large body of research behind this approach supports its effectiveness as well. There is a bit more mystery to this treatment, but once you see it work, you believe it! Find more information about EMDR Therapy by clicking here
Mindfulness has its roots in Buddhist psychology. However, one does not need to identify as a Buddhist to benefit from bringing mindfulness practices into their lives. Mindfulness is centered around the idea of being fully present in the moment, rather than being stuck in the past or preoccupied with the future. Mindfulness is about being able to observe the present moment without judgment. When we can do this, we can live more fully with less suffering. This is a relatively simple concept but is a surprisingly difficult endeavor to achieve. Mindfulness is more than meditation; it is a way of living. Mindfulness is a practice, and I work with my clients to incorporate it into their daily lives to achieve a sense of equanimity. Find more information about Mindfulness by clicking here
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a model with rather simple concepts, and clients seem to grasp the ideas relatively quickly. There really is no mystery to it. It is a very practical and structured therapy that can dramatically improve one’s thinking style and consequently have positive effects on mood and behavior. The focus is on one’s thought process, and making efforts to develop more realistic, balanced, and rational thinking. This is an evidenced based treatment, with a vast body of research backing its effectiveness. It was the first style of therapy that I learned while in graduate school, and I really have not stopped incorporating it into my therapy style ever since. Find more information about CBT by clicking here