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Decorative Books

 Treatment Methods 

What We Do

We have advanced training in a variety of evidence-based treatment models, including Internal Family Systems, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, and Brainspotting.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Internal Family Systems, or IFS, is a therapeutic approach that views your mind as made up of different "parts," or aspects of your personality, which each have their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. These parts might show up in different ways—sometimes they’re easy to recognize, and other times they’re more hidden or unconscious.

Think of it like an internal family, where each part plays a role. Some parts are protective, while others may be vulnerable, hurt, or needy. These parts can interact with each other in ways that sometimes lead to conflict or confusion. For example, you might have a Critical Part that’s harsh on you, while another part, the Inner Child, feels scared or sad. Or maybe a Protector comes forward when you feel stressed, trying to shield you from pain, but in the process, it might push others away.

The main idea behind IFS is that all of these parts, even the ones that feel difficult or cause pain, are trying to help you in some way. They have good intentions, even though their methods might not always be healthy or effective. The goal of IFS is to help you connect with and understand each part—including those that might feel overwhelming or confusing.

In IFS, there's also an idea of your True Self—a calm, compassionate, and wise part of you that is always present, even if it feels distant at times. When you are able to access your True Self, you can begin to help guide your internal parts toward healing and integration. Your True Self acts as a compassionate leader that can bring harmony and understanding to all of your parts, helping them work together in healthier ways.

IFS is helpful because it doesn’t just focus on changing behaviors or managing symptoms—it helps you understand the deeper emotional layers at play. By connecting with and understanding your parts, you can begin to heal old wounds, ease inner conflicts, and build a stronger relationship with yourself.

For example, let’s say you're struggling with anxiety. IFS would explore what part of you feels anxious, and why. It might be that a Protective Part is trying to keep you safe from perceived danger, but is doing so in a way that’s now unhelpful. By understanding this part and the fear or past experiences driving it, we can work to shift that protective energy into a healthier response, allowing you to feel calmer and more in control.

In therapy, we’ll work together to identify the different parts that show up in your life. We’ll spend time understanding them, listening to their concerns, and building a sense of trust between you and these parts. The more you get to know these inner parts, the more you can heal old wounds, change unhelpful patterns, and move toward a more integrated, peaceful sense of self.

It’s a process of self-discovery and self-compassion—learning to love and care for all parts of yourself, even the ones that might feel difficult to face. I’ll be there to guide and support you through this journey, as you start to make sense of what’s happening inside you, and work toward feeling more aligned, whole, and at peace.

What is Internal Family Systems (IFS)?

How Does IFS Work?
Why is IFS helpful?
What Does It Look Like In Therapy?
Balancing Rocks

Emotionally-Focused Therapy

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a structured approach to therapy designed to help individuals and couples strengthen their emotional bonds. Developed by Dr. Sue Johnson in the 1980s, EFT is grounded in attachment theory and emphasizes the importance of emotional connection in relationships.

 

  • Attachment Theory: EFT is based on the idea that humans have a fundamental need for secure emotional attachments. How we connect with others influences our relationships and overall well-being.

  • Emotional Awareness: A central aspect of EFT is helping clients become aware of their emotions. Recognizing and understanding feelings is crucial for effective communication and connection.

  • Negative Interaction Patterns: EFT identifies unhelpful cycles in relationships, such as withdrawal, criticism, or defensiveness. These patterns often lead to misunderstandings and emotional disconnection.

Key Concepts of EFT:
Phases of EFT:
  • Creating a Safe Space: The therapist provides a supportive environment where clients can explore their emotions and vulnerabilities without judgment. This safety is essential for fostering openness and honesty.

  • Restructuring Relationships: EFT guides couples through exercises that encourage more positive interactions. Clients learn to respond to each other’s emotional needs, replacing negative patterns with supportive behaviors.

  • Building Emotional Connection: The ultimate goal of EFT is to strengthen the emotional bond between partners. By fostering trust, intimacy, and security, couples can develop a deeper, more satisfying relationship.

EFT typically follows three phases:

  1. Assessment and De-escalation: In this initial phase, the therapist helps identify negative cycles and understand each partner’s emotional experiences. The focus is on de-escalating conflicts and increasing awareness of feelings.

  2. Changing Interaction Patterns: This phase involves restructuring the way partners interact. Couples learn to express their emotions more openly and respond to each other in supportive ways, breaking the cycle of negativity.

  3. Consolidation and Integration: In the final phase, the focus is on reinforcing new patterns and ensuring that the changes are sustainable. Couples work on integrating their new skills into everyday life to maintain emotional closeness.

  • Improved Communication: Couples learn to communicate their needs and feelings effectively.

  • Stronger Bonds: EFT fosters a deeper emotional connection, leading to greater trust and intimacy.

  • Conflict Resolution: By understanding and changing negative patterns, couples can resolve conflicts more constructively.

  • Emotional Safety: Clients often feel more secure in their relationships, which promotes openness and vulnerability.

Overall, EFT is a powerful therapeutic approach that helps individuals and couples navigate their emotional landscapes, ultimately leading to healthier and more fulfilling relationships.

Benefits of EFT:
two arms reaching, holding hands

Brainspotting

Brainspotting is a powerful therapeutic technique that helps you process and release deep emotional pain or trauma that may be stored in your body and mind. It’s based on the idea that where you look can influence how you feel and how your brain processes information.

In simple terms, Brainspotting uses your eye position to help access and process emotional material that may be stuck or difficult to reach with traditional talk therapy. It’s a bit like using your eyes as a “window” into your brain and body, helping you tap into deeper emotions and memories that might not be accessible through just words.

When you’re experiencing trauma, stress, or overwhelming emotions, your brain can get "stuck" in those experiences. This can make it harder to move forward, because your body and brain are still holding onto that unresolved pain. Brainspotting helps by identifying a “spot” in your vision that relates to that emotional or physical experience.

Here’s how it works in therapy:

  1. Identifying the Brainspot: We start by identifying an issue or emotion you want to work through. I will ask you to focus on the emotion or memory you’re experiencing, and then I’ll guide you to find a specific point in your visual field that resonates with that feeling. This might be a particular spot you look at while you feel the emotion, or it might be a spot that helps you feel more connected to the emotion you’re working through.

  2. Focusing on the Spot: Once we identify the right spot, you’ll focus on it while keeping your attention on the emotion or memory. The idea is that your brain will naturally start processing the feelings or memories associated with the spot. This allows your brain and body to begin releasing stored trauma and emotional blockages in a gentle, natural way.

  3. Tracking the Body and Emotions: While you’re focused on the brainspot, I’ll guide you through the experience by checking in with your body sensations, thoughts, and emotions. Often, you’ll notice shifts in how you feel or think, or physical sensations in your body that change as the brain processes the emotional material.

Brainspotting is effective because it’s more than just talking about your feelings—it works directly with how your brain stores emotions and trauma. It bypasses the cognitive, thinking parts of your brain and works with the deeper, emotional brain structures that hold onto pain or trauma. This allows you to process experiences on a deeper level, sometimes even when you’re not consciously aware of what’s going on.

Brainspotting is also a very gentle process. Unlike some therapies that might ask you to relive painful memories in great detail, Brainspotting works by allowing your body and brain to process memories in a way that feels safe and contained.

Brainspotting can be helpful for a variety of issues, including:

  • Trauma and post-traumatic stress (PTSD)

  • Anxiety or stress

  • Depression

  • Physical pain related to emotional stress

  • Unresolved emotions from past experiences

  • Performance enhancement (helping with focus, creativity, or overcoming mental blocks)

Because it works directly with your body and brain, Brainspotting can often help release emotional blockages more quickly than traditional talking therapies. It’s a deeply healing experience that allows you to access parts of yourself that you might not have been able to reach otherwise.

In a Brainspotting session, you might feel some physical sensations or emotions as you focus on the brainspot. These can range from feeling a sense of relief to experiencing deeper emotional reactions. Some people feel calm or peaceful, while others might have intense emotional releases. Everyone’s experience is different, but whatever comes up is a natural part of the healing process.

I’ll be there to guide you and support you through the process, making sure you feel safe and comfortable the entire time. The goal is to help you release whatever’s holding you back, so you can move forward in a more integrated, peaceful way.

How Does Brainspotting Work?
What's Unique About Brainspotting?
How Does It Help?
What Can You Expect In Session?
Woman Thinking
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