I utilize an eclectic array of evidence-based practices, including Brainspotting, Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Solution-Focused therapies, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive-Behavioral approaches. These approaches are evidence-based and provide a sustainable path forward to improving all areas of your life.
Brainspotting was discovered by Dr. David Grand, a psychotherapist in New York, in 2003. While conducting Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dr. Grand discovered that a fixed eye position can unlock trauma that is deeply stored into our brains. By staring at a fixed eye position, one can unlock traumatic memories and process them safely with a trained Brainspotting therapist.
Brainspotting goes beyond traditional talk therapy. Brainspotting involves the Neuroexperiential Model (NEM), which encompasses both the culture of human connection involved in global perspectives and modern psychology. Dr. Grand proposes that we follow Heisenberg's "uncertainty principle" to break down the 1-4 quadrillion synaptic connections in the human brain. Brainspotting applies human development, rather than the diagnosis model, to navigate traumatic experiences throughout a person's life. Brainspotting partners the human need to feel seen and heard with visual sensory processing to open and process traumatic "capsules" stored as memories in the subcortex - rather than the neocortex - of the brain. Brainspotting believes that human resilience is profound.
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Motivational Interviewing (MI) was created by William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick for treating substance use disorders by tapping in to people's natural expertise of themselves and the choices they make throughout their lives. The four processes of MI include engagement, focusing, evocation, and planning. This approach recognizes a common aspect of humanity - natural resistance to change - and helps people who are not confident about making changes, people who are ambivalent or unsure about making changes, and people who doubt their abilities to make changes. This person-centered approach helps people who have a desire to change any behavior, including alcohol and other substance use, exercise, eating, and other health behaviors.
As a Motivational Interviewing therapist, I apply empathy and compassion and accept my clients where they are at in the change process through a strong partnership.
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was created by Dr. Marsha M. Linehan with the original intention of treating people who struggle with suicidal ideations and self-harm. The general premise of this approach is balancing acceptance and change of stressful situations, emotions, and behaviors. There are four components of this approach: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance. Today, DBT is an evidence-based practice utilized for most issues, including anxiety and OCD, depression and bipolar disorders, trauma and PTSD, behavioral disorders, personality disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based practice that focuses on changing our thoughts to change our behaviors. This modality is used for most issues and is adaptable for trauma, dissociation, and other specific issues.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) was developed by Dr. Patricia Resick in the 1980s due to the increasing recognition of trauma. CPT offers a short-term therapy solution for individuals to navigate their thoughts and core beliefs surrounding five areas: safety, power and control, intimacy, trust, and esteem. In this approach, we identify "stuck points", or core beliefs, that have been developed due to a traumatic event, childhood upbringing, or across generations. In this approach, I help clients restructure thought patterns to improve their ability to manage life stressors, improve self-worth, improve emotion regulation, and improve well-being, and recover from trauma.
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