Where to Begin…

Prior to the current pandemic, some people sought teletherapy to accommodate their demanding lifestyle.  Many find that teletherapy can help support a regular, consistent therapy schedule, promoting progress, instead of frequent cancellations. I deliver online therapy via a secure video application or over the phone. I find this option in a vital tool that allows individuals to avoid interruption in treatment and one that gives everyone greater access and care.

Often referred to as “talk therapy” psychotherapy improves on an individual’s well being and mental health. This treatment modality provides the client a safe space to resolve internal conflicts that may trigger problematic behaviors that affect thoughts, emotions and relationships. The goal in therapy is for the client to find their own solution and gain greater self- awareness of unconscious conflicts along with gaining emotional insight so they can proceed to experience emotional repair and move forward with their lives.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an integrative, comprehensive, evidenced-based psychotherapy that originally was used for PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder), but later proved effective for the treatment of anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, addictions, relational issues and recent traumatic events. Through eye movements or bilateral stimulation, EMDR allows the individual to reprocess traumatic or disturbing events and desensitizes these memories and takes it to an adaptive resolution. Positive outcomes after EMDR treatment can alleviate emotional distress, increase confidence and result in other healthier behaviors and interactions.

DBT-informed is an intervention for treating co-occurring disorders and includes elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness meditation. An individual can learn to regulate their emotions, practice distress tolerance, mindfulness and interpersonal effectiveness. In Dialectical Behavior Informed, a person who is non-suicidal or does not present severe symptoms can benefit from this approach with a personalized treatment plan and training skills. DBT-informed is not a comprehensive program, meaning it does not provide group skills training or phone coaching. A person that has completed a comprehensive DBT- informed program may benefit from this intervention or may practice DBT in tandem with another therapy modality.

Family systems can lead to an opportunity for awareness that eventually leads to healing and expanding new constructs within the family. Structural family therapy allows the therapist and family to explore recurrent patterns of interaction that family members create over time and learn how these patterns and working alliances accommodate each other. The goal of family therapy is to tap into underutilized strengths and establish positive interactions among and between family members while learning to adapt to constant change in the social environment.

Somatic Experience (SE) is a body-oriented psychotherapy that allows the client to develop the capacity to tolerate uncomfortable body sensations and suppressed emotions due to a traumatic experience. This gentle approach carefully tracks the natural biological responses, slowly discharges trauma energy from the body and resets the nervous system. SE helps the individual to learn how to self-regulate, foster resilience and increase the ability to self-regulate. With regular SE sessions, clients experience a more regulated nervous system along with feeling more balance emotionally and physically.

Sometimes people don’t feel they need therapy and instead want Solution Focused therapy or guidance, especially when considering a new career, change in schools, leaving home, question their relationships, dating, parenting, creating a healthy lifestyle, spirituality or just finding a sense of purpose. In Solution Focused Therapy I look at the person’s present and future circumstances and goals instead of past experiences. However sometimes seeking short term therapy may lead to looking at deeper unresolved issues from the past that, once resolved, can give the client the momentum to move forward. Taking the steps to seek guidance in a safe place without judgment can lead a person to a willingness to engage in new life experiences that facilitate their personal growth and a fulfilled life.