Therapeutic Approaches
It all begins with Humanism
In my role as a counselor it is my job to meet you where you are at, honoring the aspects of self, experience and values that are uniquely you, believing in your capacity to grow, integrate and actualize the best of yourself.
In so doing I tailor my approach to each client, also called “eclectic therapy.” Here are some of the disciplines I weave together to explore with you.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy involves a journey to self understanding, exploring the ways in which the past unconsciously (and consciously) influences current thoughts, motivations, feelings and behaviors.
A strong therapeutic alliance between client and practitioner serves as the foundation for exploring emotional processing, relationship patterns, resistance, unconscious belief systems as they impact day to day quality of life.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) model of care presents thoughts, feelings and behaviors as an integrated system in which each influences the others and approaches treatment as “thinking about how we think” which then influences behavior.
CBT is often focused on identifying problematic areas and implementing concrete skills to improve overall quality of life. Common tools utilized include various types of homework wherein clients will assess their implementation of skills into their day to day lives, serving as a point for review during sessions.
Existential Therapy
Rooted in Viktor Frankel's 1946 book "Man's Search for Meaning", existential therapy explores philosophies related to the self's relationship to the world. With underlying tenants in self determination, autonomy and meaning making in all aspects of life, approaching treatment from existential therapy increases self awareness and the sense of personal dignity.
Existential theory postulates four elements of work in ongoing treatment. These are isolation, personal autonomy, death and freedom. Reduction of fear and avoidance around these elements and other factors of the human experience mitigate anxiety, dread and depression.
Expressive Arts Therapy
“When words are not enough.”
Most people intrinsically understand the value of self expression. Music, writing, drama, dance, photography and visual art all have demonstrated value in treatment with little understanding of why.
Expressive therapy capitalizes on the brain’s remarkable ability to rewire itself for healing using creativity as a nonthreatening, open ended problem solving to resolve distress, conflict and deep rooted trauma in a way that talk therapy alone cannot.
Expressive arts therapy is helpful for those who engage in creative practices or enjoyed them in the past, but it can also serve as a model of progression for everyone because, while the finished product is a point or exploration, focus is placed on the process of creating, the thoughts, memories and feelings that came up throughout, and reflection on meaning.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
The underlying premise of DBT is best illustrated as the point in which rational mind and emotional mind overlap to create integration of the two known as wise mind.
A skills based approach, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy treatment focuses on four areas of mastery, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance and mindfulness with the goal of increasing self awareness, improving relationships, and managing intense feelings and reactivity.
