Types of Therapy
Attachment-Based/Emotionally Focused
Attachment is the basis of how we connect with others, explore with others, regulate our emotions, and view ourselves. Attach-ment-based therapy explores how our early experiences inform our present-day experiences to help us understand our emotions and behaviors, which allows us to reach a better level of emotional and interpersonal functioning. Emotionally-Focused Therapy is derived largely from attachment theory and a person-centered approach. This form of therapy emphasizes the importance of emotions and their link to our personal functioning. When individuals are closed off to their emotions, or are struggling to understand them, they often find themselves struggling to be engaged with their lives and function at their best.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is derived from cognitive theory. However, where traditional cognitive behavior therapy is often focused on changing thought patterns to change our emotions, ACT takes a slightly different approach. The goal of the concepts and skills learned in ACT is to help individuals become more accepting and comfortable with their thoughts and emotions–even the negative ones. By learning to accept these thoughts and feelings as temporary, we can let them pass by and avoid the feeling that they are taking over.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is derived from cognitive and behavioral theories. DBT is highly skills-focused, with an emphasis on skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT was initially developed as a treatment primarily for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), but has since expanded to application to a number of other causes for treatment. It is a highly trauma-informed modality centered around giving individuals the tools they need to cope with both past and present negative personal and emotional experiences.
Exposure & Response Prevention/Prolonged Exposure
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the “gold standard” of therapy for OCD and phobias. It is also used to treat other anxiety disorders, panic disorder, and selective mutism. The goal is to slowly expose the client to the feared stimuli and delay, or prevent, the use of compulsions or “safety behaviors” to neutralize the anxiety. ERP is often daunting when first considering treatment, which is why it is important for us to build trust and for me to provide the tools you need to understand and complete exposures in an effective way. When done well, exposure therapy provides you corrective experiences that reduce distress in future encounters with the fear and improve your confidence in your ability to cope with difficult emotions. Prolonged Exposure takes this concept and applies it to trauma, helping you process trauma in a safe and supportive environment to help triggers in the outside world be less disruptive.
Child/Adolescent Therapy
In working with children and adolescents, I draw from the above concepts, while adding play, games, and art to help them express themselves and understand concepts in an age-appropriate way.