Theoretical Frameworks
Systems Theory
Systems theory is based on the principle that individuals or circumstances are best understood through the whole of their parts, not one individual factor. Systems theory allows therapists to look holistically at a client’s experiences and environmental factors to gain a better, more complete perspective of why they may be facing hardships.
Attachment Theory
Attachment theory focuses on the connection between an individual and their primary caregivers in infancy and early childhood and utilizes the resulting attachment style to help explain one’s subsequent development and relationships.
Psychosocial Theory/ Person in Environment Theory
Psychosocial theory, or Person in Environment (PIE), focuses on the development of one’s personality over time as it relates to self-understanding, interpersonal relationships, and the environment in which one lives.
Cognitive Behavioral Theory
Cognitive Behavioral Theory highlights how people’s thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and behaviors are interconnected and linked to one another.
Therapeutic Modalities
Strengths Based Approach
Strengths based therapy focuses on highlighting an individual’s capabilities, resourcefulness, and strengths to build resilience and a positive outlook rather than focusing on one’s failures or weaknesses. Strengths based therapy encourages a more individualized approach, acknowledging solutions often come from the individual.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a combination of talk therapy and behavioral therapy in which we will work together to identify negative thinking patterns and reframe them into positive thoughts which in turn result in positive actions and behaviors.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a combination of cognitive and behavioral therapies with the goal of providing you with a set of skills to cope with difficult emotions and situations on your own. DBT skills are focused on the following areas of life: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an action-oriented approach in which we will work together to stop avoiding, denying, and suppressing difficult emotional experiences and instead work to accept these feelings as appropriate responses to challenging life experiences. I will then help you to practice behaviors which align with your personal values and goals, instead of spending time fighting current and past emotions.
Person Centered Therapy
Person Centered Therapy is based on the belief that humans have an innate ability and drive towards personal growth and self-discovery. Person Centered Therapy allows for you as the client to take more of a lead role in therapy sessions, with the me as a therapist acting as a compassionate guide. During this process, you may discover your own hurts and develop your own solutions with my guidance.