My Approach
When starting therapy, we will first complete an intake assessment. This assessment provides me with a history of your childhood and adulthood, including social and psychological history. We also discuss your goals for therapy, and formulate a "game plan" of how we will focus on your needs. Because no two people are the same, all treatment is individualized to you, your current strengths, and your goals. Most often, I utilize a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, and at times Dialectical Behavior Therapy. I find that utilizing multiple methods at different times throughout the therapeutic process ensure the most progress.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses on developing four areas: Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance Skills, and Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills. Developing skills in these four areas leads to improved ability in coping with and tolerating uncomfortable and intense emotions, improved ability to behave less impulsively and more safely, and healthier relationship and communication skills. Like CBT, DBT often utilizes "homework assignments." DBT is evidence-based, and used commonly in the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an evidence-based and widely-used form of therapy that focuses on improving mood and behavior by exploring thought processes that contribute to negative emotions and behavioral responses. Once identified, these thought patterns are challenged, and work to implement healthier cognitive responses and thus improve mood and behavior is the focus of the therapy sessions. CBT often utilizes out-of-session "homework assignments" to further explore and practice topics talked about it session.
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Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders. (www.emdria.org) Eye movements are utilized to assist in reprocessing traumatic memories. When and if appropriate, EMDR methods will be discussed in detail during sessions.