Treatment Methods
Individuals
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Every major life experience we have carries with it a message – something we end up believing about ourselves or about others because of how we have interpreted these experiences. Based on these internal (and often unrecognized) messages, we assemble a little bag of behaviors that help us cope and survive. But when the message itself is faulty or distorted in some way, these behaviors can backfire, and sabotage our ability to have healthy relationships and maintain a healthy perspective on ourselves, others, and the world.
Neuro-based CBT: Understanding how our brain works can be very helpful in de-stigmatizing emotional and mental struggles. The runaway emotions that often make us feel “crazy” are rooted in mechanisms in the brain that are essential to our survival. It can be both empowering and motivating to develop an understanding of what interferes with the healthy functioning of our brain, and to learn how to get our mind and our brain back on track when these neural networks break down.
EMDR (Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing): EMDR is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing and traumatic life experiences. Extensive research has shown that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a past disturbing event, the unresolved, painful emotions can cause intense suffering in the present. An analogy often used is a car accident, in which traffic backs up due to the blocked road. Once the accident is cleared, traffic can flow freely again. In the process of trauma recovery, once the emotional block is removed, the brain’s natural healing processes and coping mechanisms can resume. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (a process believed to be connected with the biological mechanisms involved in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep) to open up neurological channels that allow the brain to process and transform disturbing memories and emotions.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Unfortunately, negative experiences and emotional wounds in life are inevitable. Ironically, focusing on trying to “forget” the past just gives it more power over our lives. The ongoing choices we make to direct our thoughts and our focus and to live the life we want now, despite the painful memories of the past, are what will determine our future.
Couples
Emotionally-Focused Therapy: The emotional intimacy we experience with one another is directly proportional to the risks we are willing to take in our relationship. We all have an intense need for someone in our lives whom we can count on to love and accept us unconditionally – to be there for us no matter what happens in life. When the fulfillment of that need is threatened, we tend to pull back behind our protective walls and distance ourselves from the one person in our lives who can help fill that need. Learning to share these vulnerable needs and fears with our partner, instead of pulling away from them, is the key to creating intimacy and connection with our significant other.
Gottman Therapy: At the heart of a healthy marriage is a solid friendship, based on mutual respect and admiration for one another. All marriages go through ups and downs, and it is normal to have negative feelings about our partner at times. Healthy relationships are those in which partners have learned to let their positive feelings about one another and the relationship override the negative. Nurturing our fondness and respect for our partner and learning to communicate our appreciation for one another in small every-day ways helps us to accept our differences, appreciate the gift of our spouse, and connect with one another on a powerful emotional level.