Therapeutic Techniques &
 Treatment

DBT is a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals manage intense emotions and reduce conflict in relationships. It combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with concepts of mindfulness and acceptance.  Other skills include radical acceptance, present moment focus, distress tolerance (to include distraction techniques, relaxation techniques and coping thoughts), and learning to use wise mind (trusting your instincts when making decisions

Key components of DBT include:

Skills Training: Clients learn practical skills in four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

CBT is a widely-used, evidence-based approach that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. It is structured, goal-oriented, and typically short-term. Key elements of CBT include:

Cognitive Restructuring: Helps clients identify and challenge distorted or irrational thoughts.
Behavioral Activation: Encourages clients to engage in activities that improve their mood and reduce avoidance.
Skills Training: Teaches practical skills to manage anxiety, depression, and other issues.

ACT is a unique approach that combines acceptance strategies with commitment and behavior-change strategies. It helps clients accept negative thoughts and feelings rather than fighting them, and commit to actions that align with their values. Key components include:

Acceptance: Learning to accept and make room for unpleasant thoughts and feelings.
Cognitive Defusion: Techniques to reduce the impact of negative thoughts by seeing them as just words or images.
Values Clarification: Identifying what is truly important to the client to guide meaningful action.
Committed Action: Developing concrete goals and taking steps towards them.

Somatic experiencing is a type of therapy geared towards helping people heal from trauma. Brainspotting is one technique that unwraps the trauma our brains “bubble wrap” to store away for a safe time to process. Feeling triggered by small things, sudden anxiety, extreme emotions out of proportion to the situation, are some alarm bells signaling there may be something the brain needs to release. Once processed, the brain can let go and the body naturally heal itself from those emotional trip wires. It leaves one less emotionally blocked and more calm as they release stress and emotion from the body. Somatic experiencing helps one increase awareness of their internal experience, in a world where many of us walk around, disconnected from our bodies.

Mindful Breathing: Focusing on the breath to anchor attention.
Body Scan: Bringing awareness to different parts of the body to reduce tension and stress.
Mindful Observation: Noticing sights, sounds, and other sensory experiences without judgment.
Mindfulness Meditation: Practicing formal meditation techniques to cultivate mindfulness.

Executive Functioning Coaching involves screening for 10 areas within executive function to target. These areas include self-understanding, organization, time management, emotional and behavioral control, flexibility, initiative, attention, memory and persistence. You will learn skills within each area of weakness and develop a plan, with your therapist, to make lasting behavioral changes.
teaching clients about their mental health conditions and how their brains function. Understanding the Brain: Learning about brain structures and functions relevant to their issues. Executive Function Skills: Techniques to enhance skills such as attention, memory, and problem-solving.
Practical Strategies: Developing routines, using reminders, and breaking tasks into manageablesteps.
Self-Monitoring: Encouraging clients to track their progress and adjust strategies as needed. 

Brainspotting is a specialized therapy similar to EMDR, aimed at processing trauma and emotional pain by pinpointing specific eye positions, known as "brainspots." This approach allows therapists to access trauma that the brain stores, allowing the emotions to release, facilitating healing. The brain naturally wants to heal itself, and Brainspotting facilitates this process safely and efficiently.