Therapeutic Approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and treatments that are based in this theory is one of the leading treatments for a range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, OCD and trauma. CBT interventions focus on what one can change, such as taking action (eg: facing our fears) and thinking (eg: unhelpful thought patterns or beliefs).

Interpersonal psychotherapy is an attachment-focused therapy that centers on resolving interpersonal problems to improve low mood and other symptoms. In this approach we typically focus on one of the following interpersonal areas: 

• conflict in relationships that is a source of tension and distress

• life changes, such as job loss or the birth of a child, that affect people's feelings about themselves and others

• grief and loss

• difficulties in starting or sustaining relationships (teaching skills)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy has been shown to be effective for anxiety and depression in particular. The interventions are guided by the client's values and goals while also using some cognitive and mindfulness based strategies.

EMDR is backed and supported by an extensive amount of research and considered evidence-based practice for trauma. This approach can be applied to a variety of clinical issues with success, even when other forms of therapy have been less impactful. Negative events, such as trauma, are sometimes said to be “stuck” in the brain, resulting in symptoms and emotions that negatively impact the individual. EMDR is said to access this area of the brain, by focusing on the target problem and alternatively stimulating each side of the brain, using eye movements, sounds, or tapping. In this way, the target problem is said to be re-processed and the event becomes less distressing and problematic for the individual. EMDR allows a client to process trauma, possibly without going into graphic detail, per client preference. It is also possible to process multiple traumatic events at once (simply put). For these reasons, many first responders and military veterans choose this treatment.

​

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is often referred to as the "gold standard" for BPD. However, the skills from this treatment can be very useful for most people! While we do not offer a comprehensive DBT program, the skills training aspect can be incorporated into individual therapy to help with emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness and interpersonal skills.

Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy are two CBT based treatments that are very effective for treating PTSD. While these treatments are different, they are both equally effective and manualized short (10-12 sessions) protocols.

​

In short, PE focuses on two types of "exposure" (bringing on an avoided emotion/experience on purpose aka facing your fears). One exposure is called "in vivo" which means working with your therapist on compiling a list of avoided situations to gradually approach, and the other type of exposure is called "imaginal" which is retelling the trauma narrative.

​

In CPT, the focus is less on the trauma details and more on how the trauma has impacted you - your sense of self, your ability to feel safe in the world and trust others, etc. We will explore the impact in the following core themes - safety, trust, power/control, esteem and intimacy. This treatment was originally developed for survivors for sexual assault but through reserach it has been found to be effective in other types of trauma too, such as combat and critical incidents.