psychotherapy
Relationships are built on trust, and the therapeutic relationship is no different. It's important that you feel seen, heard, and understood for therapy to be successful. The first few sessions will give you the opportunity to see how your clinician works and to assess whether you feel comfortable working with them. Your clinician will listen and ask questions to get to know your specific symptoms, life circumstances, strengths, and goals. This information will then be used to formulate a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs, preferences, and goals. At the end of this assessment phase, your clinician will present you with a treatment plan and ask for your feedback, collaboration, and engagement to help reach your goals.
What can i expect?
You can expect therapy to be an educational, goal directed, and interactive experience. You will learn about important connections between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and you will gain problem-solving skills to change unhelpful patterns. You will also improve coping by learning ways to accept and be present with difficult realities. At times, therapy may be challenging, as you address and work through painful emotions. Rest assured that you will not be alone, and your clinician is trained to support you with compassion and sensitivity at every step.
Your treatment plan may include reducing symptoms, gaining new skills, increasing psychological flexibility, improving your relationships, increasing life satisfaction, and connecting to a sense of meaning and purpose in the world. Throughout your therapy, your clinician will closely monitor your symptoms and progress, making adjustments to the treatment plan as necessary, to ensure that you are meeting your treatment goals. Your individual circumstances and goals, along with the treatment selected, will inform how long you may anticipate being in therapy. Below you will find more detail on the specific types of therapy that we provide, as well as further information to estimate the costs of treatment.
therapies
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) refers to a group of psychotherapies focused on changing patterns of unhelpful thinking and behavior in order to improve mood and functioning. CBT is time-limited, goal-oriented, and focused on resolving present day symptoms and problems. Substantial research supports the effectiveness of CBT for a variety of concerns, including depression, anxiety, obsessions and compulsions, trauma, substance abuse, and relationship distress. Sessions are typically 50-minutes held once/week to start, with tapering to bi-weekly, monthly, and then as needed as clients reach their goals.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) is a type of CBT effective for treating those who have experienced a severe, discrete trauma. PE focuses on emotionally processing trauma-related memories by revisiting and recounting them in the safety of the therapeutic environment. Individuals also learn to gradually approach thoughts, feelings, and situations that are difficult to confront due to trauma. The goals of PE include reducing trauma-related and associated symptoms while improving overall functioning and health. Sessions are typically 90-minutes held once or twice/week, with the average course of treatment lasting between 8-15 sessions.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is another trauma-focused type of CBT that is supported by research. CPT focuses on identifying and changing negative or unhelpful beliefs that often result from trauma exposure. Particular attention is paid to alterations in thinking around safety, trust, power/control, esteem, and intimacy. The goals of CPT include symptom reduction, improved functioning, and developing balanced views of the self, others, and the world. Sessions are typically 60- to 90-minutes held once/week, with the average course of treatment lasting 12 sessions.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy aimed at developing and expanding psychological flexibility and committing to valued action regardless of life’s current stressors and pain. ACT holds that “our emotions are not a problem to be solved,” and that it is counterproductive to try to control or avoid painful internal experiences (e.g., thoughts, feelings, sensations). Instead, turning towards our pain with mindfulness, compassion, and acceptance, while committing to valued actions can lead to a life that is rich, satisfying, and full of meaning. Substantial research supports ACT as an effective treatment for anxiety, depression, OCD, substance use disorders, eating disorders, stress, and chronic pain. Sessions are typically 50-minutes held once/week, with treatment course depending on client goals.
Mindfulness-Based Therapies including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Compassion-Focused Psychotherapy (CFT) incorporate the practices of mindfulness, acceptance, and compassion into the traditional "change focus" emphasized in CBT. Mindfulness refers to the awareness we have when we are fully present in the moment, observing it without judgment and without trying to change it, even when it may be difficult or painful. Research suggests mindfulness helps us to regulate intense emotions, increase acceptance of the self and others, and respond effectively to relationship conflicts. Mindfulness is often paired with acceptance and compassion in psychotherapy and used as a technique to help reduce suffering.
Gottman Method Couples Therapy is a research-based treatment for couple distress that centers on teaching partners skills to manage conflict, build friendship and intimacy, and create shared meaning. It is helpful for high conflict and emotionally distant couples alike. Gottman Method Couples Therapy is particularly helpful for couples who struggle to communicate effectively and maintain connection in their relationship. It can be used to address and heal deep relational wounds due to infidelity or substance abuse, as well as typical stressors and conflicts. Couple sessions are typically 90-minutes held once/week, although greater frequency may be needed for some treatments.