Therapeutic Approach
My approach to treatment is a collection of concepts and strategies from several evidence-based therapy modalities. I have had success pulling from a variety of modalities because it allows me to provide treatment custom to every client. The primary modalities I use are described below.
Acceptance &
Commitment
Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) seeks to increase psychological flexibility, or the ability to feel and think with openness, to attend voluntarily to your experience of the present moment and to move your life in directions that are important to you (Hayes, 2020). ACT work focuses on helping the client stop the struggle with or against intense emotions, and instead learn to manage them with also moving forward living one's values. The ACT modality teaches how to separate the self from one's thoughts & feelings. ACT also encourages setting goals and taking action steps, no matter how small.
Person
Centered
Therapy
Person-centered therapy is an approach that puts the client in the driver’s seat of the therapy process. The therapist is a guide who follows along with the client as they process their situation, providing deeper insight and empowering the client to resolve issues as they see fit. This type of therapy revolves around three core concepts: genuineness (a trusting relationship where feelings can be honestly shared), unconditional positive regard (an environment free of judgement), and empathetic understanding (the therapist reflects back the client’s thoughts & feelings so the client may gain further insight about themselves). Another key concept of person-centered therapy is the self-concept, or the beliefs and perceptions one has about oneself. Our self-concept can influence our behavior, both positively and negatively.
Strength-
Based
Therapy
Strength-based therapy focuses on a client’s individual strengths and resilience. The goal is to build upon what a client already does well, promoting a more positive mindset and worldview. This approach can involve adjusting a client’s life narrative to highlight the overcoming more than the trauma. It is based on the idea that what a person needs to heal and/or change is already within them.