Services We Provide
An introduction to the techniques and treatment modalities our clinical team provides:
Traditional Individual Therapy
Individual Therapy is a safe place to establish strong rapport and be authentically YOU without fearing judgment or consequence. It is a wonderful process to brainstorm new ideas and weigh options before making an important decision, for example. Traditional therapy sessions allow you to explore conflicts of self such as: "I feel trapped", "This isn't the life I pictured for myself", "What is my purpose?", "Why don't I feel happy?" Through individual therapy, you will learn how your thoughts and patterns of thinking impact your feelings and subsequent behaviors- a pivotal concept that underlies both acceptance and change.
Family Therapy
Family Therapy sessions help you and your loved ones develop meaningful connections rooted in empathy and understanding. Family Therapy honors individual family members' needs while simultaneously supporting the family system as a whole. Skills of validation, empathy, interpersonal effectiveness, boundaries and emotion regulation will be addressed. Family Therapy can be of tremendous support during significant transitions within the family system including mental or physical illness, death, divorce, new employment, household relocation, or symptoms of addiction.
Therapy for Children
Child Therapy can be beneficial to children and adolescents who are experiencing difficulties with their emotions or behavior. Child Therapy helps children and adolescents receive emotional support, resolve conflicts with others, understand their own feelings & try out new solutions to old problems. Goals for therapy may be specific (change in behavior, improved relations with friends or family), or more general (less anxiety, better self-esteem). Playing, drawing, building, pretending & talking are all important ways of sharing feelings and resolving problems. The need for therapy can be based on such things as the child's current problems, history, level of development, ability to cooperate with treatment, and which interventions are most likely to help with the presenting concerns. The child must feel comfortable, safe, and understood. This type of trusting environment makes it much easier for the child to express their thoughts and feelings, and to use therapy in a helpful way
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a treatment rooted in the notion that emotional issues & unwanted behaviors are based in irrational thoughts and belief systems. The focus is on developing personal coping strategies to solve current problems and change unhelpful cognitive patterning. It is a problem-focused, action oriented approach where the therapist’s role is- in the context of a supportive therapeutic relationship- to help the client develop concrete thought & action plans to combat unwanted feelings and actions. CBT is based in the belief that thought distortions and maladaptive behaviors play a role in the development & maintenance of psychological problems- such as depression and anxiety- and that symptoms & associated distress can be reduced by teaching new information-processing skills and coping mechanisms.
Cognitive Processing Therapy
CPT is an evidence based psychotherapy model used in the treatment of PTSD in adults and older adolescents. CPT is a 12-session model that is rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with the goal of helping the client to gain understanding of the impact that trauma has had on their thoughts and beliefs about themselves, others, and the world. CPT aims to help clients consider alternative perspectives regarding the traumatic event that may lead to more helpful, healthier, and balanced ways of understanding their experience.
Grief Counseling
The grieving process often involves complicated emotions although joy, contentment, and humor do not have to be absent during this difficult time. Self-care, recreation, and social support can be vital to the process of grieving. Feeling occasional happiness does not mean a person is finished mourning. Grieving the loss of a loved one can be due to death, a breakup, or other circumstance. One of the hardest challenges is adjusting to the reality of living in the absence of a loved one. Adjusting may require a person to develop a new daily routine, or even to rethink their long term plans. While creating a new future, a person may adopt a new sense of identity.
Click [here] to read Loss & Grieving: Observations of a Grief Counselor, a blog by Ally Fischman, MS, LCMHC, NCC.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a counseling method that helps people resolve ambivalent feelings and explore insecurities in order to find the internal motivation they need to change behavior. It is a practical and empathetic process that takes into consideration how difficult it is to make life changes. In session, the therapist attempts to increase the client's awareness of the potential problems caused, consequences experienced, and risks faced as a result of the behavior in question. MI encourages clients to think differently about their behavior, and ultimately to consider what might be gained through change.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
DBT is an evidence-based practice that allows you to reduce suffering and improve your quality of life by teaching & coaching skills of mindfulness (being non-judgmentally present), emotion regulation (regaining control of feelings and moods), distress tolerance (coping through difficult situations) and interpersonal effectiveness (creating and maintaining relationships). DBT assumes that all people, at any given time, are doing the best they can while considering the idea of exploring & learning coping skills that could be beneficial.
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing and SAFE EMDR
EMDR is a powerful, research-supported treatment that is endorsed by EMDRIA & the Veteran's Administration for the compassionate and effective treatment of trauma and related disturbances. EMDR uses what we know about neuroscience and the brain to help us identify, locate, and address the "root(s)" of our current discomforts, thus effectively and efficiently alleviating symptoms of emotional, psychological, physical and/or attachment trauma.
Many of our therapists are trained in Somatic and Attachment-Focused EMDR. SAFE EMDR takes the constructs of EMDR and incorporates aspects of body-centered psychotherapies & attachment theory to deepen the potential for transformation and healing. The somatic components of SAFE EMDR use resources to help you gently build awareness, provide opportunities to release excess arousal from the nervous system, and increase feelings of safety within your physical body. The attachment components of SAFE EMDR bring attention to the environment you grew up in, understanding how those adaptations were helpful at the time, while gaining insight into how those same adaptations may currently be a blockage of authentic connection at this stage in your life. With increased insight, knowledge, and awareness comes an increased ability to make lasting behavioral changes.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
ACT is a "Third Wave" therapy that aims to help clients develop cognitive and behavioral strategies to increase psychological flexibility in the service of building a rich, full and meaningful life. ACT focuses on skill building in three main areas: (1) Defusion: Distancing from & letting go of unhelpful thoughts, beliefs, and memories (2) Acceptance: Making room for painful feelings, urges, and sensations by allowing them to come & go without a struggle (3) Contact with the present moment: Engaging fully with your here-and-now experience with an attitude of openness and curiosity. The objective of ACT is to be present for whatever life brings us and to be available to uncomfortable feelings. Clients can expect an equal balance of skill-building through experiential exercises in session, as well as thorough clarification of personal values in order to make lasting behavior changes.
Click [here] to read Living a Rich, Full and Meaningful Life During a Pandemic: The Power of Acceptance in Turning Pain to Purpose, a blog by Ally Fischman, MS, LCMHC, NCC
Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness is an essential skill to understanding one's needs and beginning the process of healing. Mindfulness can be thought of as the soil that grows everything else: skills, goals, treatment plans, coping, etc. The more skillful and engaged one is in their mindfulness practice, the more fluidly they are able to notice and respond to needs without becoming dysregulated or emotionally activated. Mindfulness itself is a set of skills: observing, describing, participating, one-mindfully, effectively and non-judgmentally. A mindfulness-based therapist will help you tune into your own system and help you practice keeping track of emotional & bodily experiences in any given moment. Mindfulness is a state of awareness, noticing what's happening in a given moment, how it is impacting you, and allowing it to be there without judgement.
Brainspotting
Brainspotting is a gentle and effective mindfulness-based treatment that focuses on the brain & body connection. The focus of this approach is on alleviating psychological pain and trauma. Brainspotting visits deeper places within the brain quicker and more effectively than traditional talk therapies. This technique helps people access, process and overcome trauma, negative emotions and psychologically induced physical pain.
Maternal Mental Health
Pregnancy, postpartum, and the welcoming of a new baby can bring a range of unique emotions to birthing parents, their partners & families. New parents might feel overwhelmed, sad, or anxious at different times during pregnancy or after the baby arrives. Some birthing people find that these uncomfortable feelings go away on their own. For others, emotions can be challenging and may stay for varying lengths of time throughout this life transition.
Click [here] to read A Maternal Mental Health Moment, a blog by Sara Crow, MEd, LCMHC, NCC
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
TF-CBT is a therapeutic treatment that focuses interventions on treating symptoms related to traumatic events a child may have experienced. TF-CBT is designed for children and adolescents (ages 3-18) who are experiencing symptoms directly related to the traumatic event(s). The average length of treatment is between 8-25 weekly sessions depending on the individual’s needs.
Treatment targets negative effects of trauma, including posttraumatic stress, depressive/anxiety, behavioral symptoms, assisting in safely processing traumatic memories, overcoming unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and developing effective coping and interpersonal skills. A child’s caregiver is also an important part of success in TF-CBT. As the child completes modules to build skills and decrease symptoms, caregivers can learn skills related to stress management, positive parenting, behavior management, and effective communication to feel better equipped in supporting the child through the healing process.
TF-CBT is an internationally evidence-based treatment, meaning decades of research has determined this treatment to be highly effective across many populations and backgrounds. Outcomes have shown significant decrease in post-traumatic stress symptoms, depressive and anxiety symptoms, behavioral difficulties, and improved trauma-related caregiver distress as well as caregiver-child relationships.
TFCBT is appropriate for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma & meet the following criteria:
-Diagnosis of PTSD/PTS symptoms
-Verbal and clear memory of the trauma
-Substantiated or "more than likely not" abuse of some kind
-Currently living in a safe place, is stable "enough" and is not exposed to the perpetrator
-Behavioral concerns are not the primary reason for referral (i.e. no conduct disorder)
-Consistent, supportive, non-offending caregiver is involved in treatment
-No psychotic symptoms OR if they are present, they are well-managed medically
Child Parent Psychotherapy
CPP is an intervention model for children aged 0-6 who have experienced at least one traumatic event and/or are experiencing mental health, attachment, and/or behavioral problems, including post traumatic stress disorder. The treatment is based in attachment theory but also integrates psychodynamic, developmental, trauma, social learning, and cognitive behavioral theories. Therapeutic sessions include the child and parent or primary caregiver. The primary goal of CPP is to support and strengthen the relationship between a child and their caregiver as a vehicle for restoring the child's cognitive, behavioral, and social functioning. Treatment also focuses on contextual factors that may affect the caregiver-child relationship.
Parent Child Interaction Therapy
PCIT is an evidence based treatment model used in the treatment of child behaviors such as temper tantrums, noncompliance, destructive and aggressive behaviors, and negative attention seeking. This model is for children ages 2 to 7 years and their caregivers and draws from components of social learning theory, attachment theory, developmental theory, behavioral principles, and traditional play therapy. The goal of PCIT is to improve the quality of the parent child relationship by working with parents to develop a warm and supportive relationship as a vehicle for the development of social skills and emotional regulation in children.
Child-Centered Play Therapy
CCPT is a non-directive person-centered play therapy approach that allows the child to communicate naturally through play in a safe nonjudgmental environment with a clinician providing unconditional positive regard and empathy. It promotes emotion regulation and expression as well as self-control and esteem.
Child Parent Relationship Training
CPRT is an 8-10 week group therapy model working with parents of children ages 3-8 years old to strengthen the relationship/attachment, develop effective discipline techniques, and learn child-centered play therapy skills to utilize at home with their children. It can be done one-on-one with a parent if the parent cannot join the group.
FirstPlay
FirstPlay is a 6 week parent-child model to strengthen the relationship/attachment by combining infant baby massage techniques and storytelling for parents of children ages 6 weeks to 3 years old. It promotes co-regulation and safe touch between the parent and infant.
Theraplay
Theraplay is a directive parent-child model to strengthen the relationship/attachment by focusing on the four domains of secure attachment including structure, nurture, challenge, and engagement. It provides playful interactive activities between parent and child, effective discipline techniques, and co-regulation techniques.
Problematic Sexual Behavior Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (PSB-CBT)
Problematic Sexual Behavior Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (PSB-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment model for children who have engaged in problematic sexual behavior (PSB). Treatment includes both the child and caregiver(s) and can be done through group or family therapy. Currently, we are offering this treatment model for children ages 7-12 through family therapy sessions. PSB-CBT effectively addresses a wide range of problematic and illegal behaviors, including:
Failure to recognize socially acceptable physical boundaries
Excessive masturbation
Preoccupation with pornography and other sexualized content
Generation and/or dissemination of sexualized images of self or others
Coercive and/or aggressive sexual acts
Constructed Awareness
Constructed Awareness (CA) is a therapeutic model rooted in the principle that bringing awareness to something changes it. Think about how you act differently when you’re home alone than when you’re with others or how little kids behave differently when they know they’re being watched versus when they aren’t. CA builds on this idea by helping clients explore their experiences through three building blocks: thoughts, sensations, and external perceptions. By enhancing awareness of these areas, clients can develop a more balanced and integrated understanding of themselves, fostering self-acceptance and emotional healing. Designed for general mental health and trauma work, CA offers a practical, mindful approach to therapy that supports healing through observation and connection with one’s own awareness.
Couples Therapy
Couples Therapy is a beautiful place to learn helpful ways in which to communicate & connect with your partner, especially during times of stress. Life can be really difficult: health, schedules, finances, big decisions, a million small decisions. Often times, stress has a way of moving itself into our beloved relationships. During sessions of couples counseling, you and your partner will explore how to validate, understand and empathize with one another while addressing concerns that impact connectedness and attachment.
