research based treatment strategies

Emotion-focused therapy is an effective and experiential approach useful for a vast range of psychological concerns. Emotions are distinct biological events and often drive thoughts and behavior without conscious awareness. Mood states (e.g. depression) can be understood as prolonged and persistent emotional patterns. Unwanted, distressing, or dysregulated emotions can be transformed into adaptive and motivating forces once they are accepted consciously, experienced fully, and channeled properly. Corrective emotional experiences can lead to lasting changes whereby individuals are better able to understand, regulate, and intentionally shift emotional/mood states.

CBT is an empirically supported treatment strategy for a variety of mental health concerns and includes several techniques such as cognitive restructuring, metacognitive strategies and behavioral activation. CBT helps people make connections between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT focuses on changing unhelpful cognitive and behavioral patterns to improve mental health, cognitive flexibility, accurate perception, and ability to make healthy life choices.

DBT is an evidence based, skills-focused treatment system that incorporates four core skill domains including mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT encourages practice in balancing seemingly opposite experiences, developing a "both/and" mentality, and walking "the middle path." DBT is effective in treating many different mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, various forms of self-harm, suicidal behaviors, eating disorders, addictions, destructive ways of coping, and unhealthy relationship patterns. DBT can also be particularly helpful for individuals who have tried other forms of therapy without getting the relief or results they hoped for.

Psychodynamic therapy is another highly effective and empirically supported treatment modality that is relational, insight oriented, and leads to lasting change. This form of therapy developed out of traditional psychoanalysis, and incorporates: a focus on self-reflection, an understanding of defense mechanisms, how early attachment and relationship experiences influence personality development, use of dream interpretation, attention to transference/countertransference in the therapy relationship, and working through unresolved conflicts from the past that may be manifesting in the present as mental health symptoms or general distress.

Interpersonal and relational therapy approaches focus on working through current relationship concerns having a negative impact on mental health and/or quality of life. Relational dynamics that will be explored can include different communication styles, gender roles, family systems, cultural factors, power differentials, and how one's relationship history may be having an impact on current approach to relationships. Techniques will be focused on improving communication, ability to navigate interpersonal challenges skillfully, and relationship satisfaction.

Mindfulness-based therapy approaches involve nonjudgmental present moment awareness of internal and external processes such as our self-perception, emotions, interactions with others, and situations that are outside of our control. Mindfulness is a powerful way to decrease distress and suffering without bypassing painful feelings. Mindfulness approaches are informed by neuroscience and have a positive impact on our ability to regulate emotions, mitigate life stressors, and enhance emotional wellbeing, self-awareness, acceptance, life satisfaction, and physical health. 

Humanistic treatment approaches understand the human spirit to be resilient and growth oriented. Humanistic therapy focuses on the importance of the therapy relationship in providing the necessary conditions for growth. Common existential concerns that may be explored include death anxiety, isolation, freedom/responsibility, and the meaning of life. Humanistic and existential therapy approaches are effective in addressing several different psychological and life concerns.

Faith-based therapy or counseling emphasizes the importance of one's spiritual life and faith in healing and working through mental health concerns. This treatment approach will integrate scientific understanding of psychological concerns with the individual's or couple's spiritual/religious beliefs and supportive cultural healing practices. This approach can be particularly helpful for persons of faith who have experienced religious trauma or abuse, as well as for believers who want to ensure their spiritual needs are met during their mental health treatment. 

This approach may be a good fit for individuals navigating general life concerns, looking to enhance mental or physical wellbeing, or seeking support to reach specific goals for personal growth. A coaching or mental health mentoring approach prioritizes problem solving and practical solutions to reach meaningful personal goals. Specific behavioral goals are identified and progress towards goals is reviewed each session in a collaborative setting where accountability, motivation, and action-oriented change are prioritized and tracked closely. This may be of interest for individuals who are working to reach specific wellness goals or are preparing for high level performance in sports/athletics, creative arts, and professional or academic settings.