Treatment Approach
Noted are the various clinical perspectives which guide my overarching Integrative Therapy Approach to treatment. The Integrative Approach at its core is a holistic & welcoming approach centering around the client's individuality, motivation and clinical rapport between client & counselor.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
A primary form of psychotherapy/ 'talk therapy' used in counseling. CBT is rooted in the present time of a client's life & focuses on changing the automatic negative thoughts that can contribute to and worsen one's emotional difficulties. CBT focuses on the notion that the way an individual thinks and feels affects the way they will behave/respond.
Solutions Focused Therapy
Places the focus of treatment on present & future circumstances and goals. Aims to identify tools for more immediate improvement in handling emotions & coping with obstacles.
Strengths Based Therapy
Focuses on the identification of one's internal strengths, resilience & resourcefulness. Redirects the over-focusing on one's weaknesses, deficits or shortcomings.
Narrative Therapy
Explores significant events or "stories" that occur over time in one's life. Acknowledges how these "stories" may have shaped a person's identity. Challenges problematic stories/narratives one carries of self which inhibit growth and limit one's sense of internal peace. Focuses on not labeling or viewing oneself as "broken". Aims to allow one to get some distance from their preconceived narratives in order to re-assess their perspective and messaging surrounding it.
Mindfulness
Focuses on increasing awareness of the thoughts, feelings, and actions that limit progress thus allowing one to acknowledge, reflect without judgement and then choose how to respond. Increases one's 'presence' in their experiences as they are occurring.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
Emphasizes the understanding of the 'whole' client's background including age, ethnicity, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomics and belief system. Recognizes that it is more effective to vary the therapeutic approach from client to client than to use the same standard treatment approach for every client.
Affirmative Therapy
This approach does not pathologize sexual minorities, it rather focuses on how members from the LGBTQIA+ community think & feel about their gender and sexual identities. This approach aims at allowing clients to feel more comfortable with their identities by providing a safe and nonjudgmental space devoid of hostility, prejudice and bias.
