CBT is based on the theory that the way individuals perceive a situation is more closely connected to their reaction than the situation itself. Individuals’ perceptions are often distorted and unhelpful, particularly when they are distressed. Cognitive Behavior Therapy helps people identify their distressing thoughts and evaluate how realistic the thoughts are. Then they learn to change their distorted thinking. When they think more realistically, they feel better. The emphasis is also consistently on solving problems and initiating behavioral changes. CBT uses a variety of techniques to change thinking, mood, and behavior., CBT helps people get better and stay better

DBT uses a framework that balances the treatment strategies of acceptance and change

Therapists work to enhance the capability (skills) of their client as well as to develop the motivation to change. In individual therapy you will problem-solve barriers to developing and maintaining a quality of life that facilitates building and sustaining a “life worth living”. The therapist will apply a variety of strategies within individual sessions to facilitate your goals, including a DBT diary card (a way of tracking what you are working on and the progress you are making), learning and using DBT skills and doing Behavioral Chain Analysis (a way of discovering what maintains a behavior you know is a problem but just seem to keep repeating. It helps uncover the chain of controlling variables that lead up to the problem behavior and helps you “break the links” in the chain. Once again you will be learning new skills to use instead of your old behaviors).

You will learn Skills Training, this includes Core Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness and Distress Tolerance

Internal Family Systems is a powerfully transformative, evidence-based model of psychotherapy. We believe the mind is naturally multiple and that is a good thing. Our inner parts contain valuable qualities and our core Self knows how to heal, allowing us to become integrated and whole. In IFS all parts are welcome.

IFS is a movement. A new, empowering paradigm for understanding and harmonizing the mind and, thereby, larger human systems. One that can help people heal and helps the world become a more compassionate place.

I am well trained and certified in EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.

It is a form of therapy that helps people heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. EMDR therapy has been extensively researched and has demonstrated effectiveness for trauma.

About EMDR Therapy

Our brains have a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events. This process involves communication between the amygdala (the alarm signal for stressful events), the hippocampus (which assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (which analyzes and controls behavior and emotion). While many times traumatic experiences can be managed and resolved spontaneously, they may not be processed without help. Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts.

When distress from a disturbing event remains, the upsetting images, thoughts, and emotions may create feelings of overwhelm, of being back in that moment, or of being “frozen in time.” EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories, and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original event is resolved.”

How is EMDR different from other therapies?

EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue, or homework between sessions. EMDR, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process. EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. Part of the therapy includes alternating eye movements, sounds, or taps. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.

What is NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback?

NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback is a dynamical neurofeedback system that offers information to the brain about what it has just done, which the brain can then use to organize itself. Getting the information (or feedback) the brain needs to organize itself allows the brain to release patterns that can get in the way of it functioning well.

How does NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback work?

During a NeurOptimal® session you will wear ear clips and two small sensors on the sides of your head. These pick up the electrical activity of your brain. NeurOptimal processes your brain signals very rapidly and when it detects them changing, or moving into an “instability”, the music pauses very briefly. This is the “feedback”. Unconsciously, our brain is able to understand the mathematics behind the timing of the pauses, and is able to adjust its activity without any effort from you. The brain learns from the information it is given until over time, and without your conscious awareness or effort, it learns to organize itself more efficiently. The result is that life feels easier and difficulties seem to slowly disappear.

What can NeurOptimal® help with?

The healing results are numerous and include areas such as improving focus, memory, alertness, energy levels, concentration, creativity, sleep, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, worry, panic attacks, fatigue, OCD symptoms, peak performance, PTSD symptoms, stress symptoms, mild brain injuries, learning disabilities, and migraines.

What does a typical session look like?

You’ll be invited to sit back and relax. You’ll wear ear clips and listen to music. Your brain will receive feedback by way of a quick pause in the music and your brain will adjust on its own. During your session you are welcome to read, get work done, or even be on your phone. The brain can respond to the feedback regardless of what you are doing— all it needs to do is hear the pauses. Many people enjoy closing their eyes and relaxing. It will take 33 minutes for one complete session.

How many sessions will I need?

Many people notice changes within 10 sessions, while others will need anywhere from 20-40. Some find they continue to notice shifts in areas of their life they didn’t even realize could improve. The results from each session build upon each other and remain over time. If you face setbacks in life, you can always invest in some additional sessions to get back on track.

Can I receive therapy and NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback?

Absolutely! Many clients find that they enjoy NeurOptimal® and receive the same benefits from neurofeedback alone. If you are receiving in person therapy, we can add on NeurOptimal® at the end of a session.