Therapy provides a safe and confidential space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors without judgment.

One of the primary benefits of therapy is the opportunity for self-discovery. Clients often find that articulating their experiences leads to a deeper understanding of their motivations, desires, and patterns of behavior. This awareness can facilitate personal growth and foster healthier relationships. Depending on your needs and preferences different approaches can be tried on for size.

We can work together so that you can understand your behavior Moreover, therapy can help break the stigma surrounding mental health. By engaging in open discussions about emotional struggles, individuals can foster a more supportive environment for themselves and others. This normalization encourages more people to seek help, promoting a culture of acceptance and understanding.

Therapy is important because it provides individuals with tools for self-exploration, coping strategies for managing mental health issues, support during life transitions, and gives you a platform for normalizing discussions around mental wellness. It empowers clients lead fulfilling lives and build healthier connections with themselves and others.

Useful Therapeutic Strategies Include:

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

CBT Therapy is an evidence based therapy to help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. CBT is an approach for which there is ample scientific evidence that the methods that have been developed actually produce change.

CBT treatment usually involves efforts to change thinking patterns and behavior patterns. Often we try to identify the following…

• Distortions in thinking that are creating problems, and then to reevaluate them in light of reality.

• Gaining a better understanding of the behavior and motivation of others.

• Using problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations.

• Learning to develop a greater sense of confidence in one’s own abilities.

CBT treatment also usually involves efforts to change behavioral patterns. These strategies might include:

• Facing one’s fears instead of avoiding them.

• Using role playing to prepare for potentially problematic interactions with others.

• Learning to calm one’s mind and relax one’s body, often through midnfulness strategies.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms.

EMDR is helpful for those who struggle with:

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Anxiety symptoms

• Complex Trauma

• Difficult memories from a single traumatic event (like a car accident, or a significant loss)

** Schedule a consultation to see if EMDR is a good fit for you

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

MI is a client-centered, directive counseling approach designed to enhance ones motivation to change.. Together we explore and try to resolve ambivalence and explore reasons to change or stay the same. I find that individuals are more likely to change when they feel understood and empowered to do so. Motivational interviewing is particularly effective in addressing issues such as substance use, health behaviors, and other lifestyle changes. Its goal is not just to convince clients to change but to empower them to find their own path forward. I would love to be there with you while you find the reasons to change, for the better!

Key principles of motivational interviewing include:

1. Collaboration: MI emphasizes a partnership between the counselor and the client. The counselor's role is to facilitate a dialogue that supports the client's autonomy and expertise regarding their own life and choices.

2. Empathy: Practitioners use reflective listening to understand the client's feelings and perspectives. This empathetic approach fosters a safe environment where clients can openly discuss their thoughts about change.

3. Support for Self-efficacy: MI encourages clients to believe in their ability to make changes. Counselors help clients identify their strengths and past successes, reinforcing their confidence in their capacity to change.

4. Evocation: Rather than imposing solutions, MI seeks to elicit the client's own motivations for change. By helping clients articulate their personal reasons for wanting to change, practitioners can strengthen their commitment to the process.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a psychological intervention that combines mindfulness strategies with behavioral change techniques. Its primary goal is to help individuals accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting against or feeling controlled by them. ACT is based on the idea that psychological suffering often arises from attempts to avoid unwanted internal experiences, such as emotions and thoughts. ACT aims to promote psychological flexibility, enabling most clients to adapt to changing circumstances and pursue meaningful goals, ultimately enhancing their overall well-being.

Key components of ACT include:

1. Acceptance: Encouraging individuals to embrace their thoughts and feelings, rather than attempting to suppress or control them.

2. Cognitive Defusion: Helping clients detach from their thoughts and view them more objectively, reducing their impact on behavior.

3. Being Present: Fostering mindfulness to enhance awareness of the current moment, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

4. Values Clarification: Assisting individuals in identifying their core values to guide their actions and decisions.

5. Committed Action: Encouraging individuals to take steps towards living a life aligned with their values, even in the face of difficulties.