What is Integrative Psychotherapy?
What is "evidence based" treatment?
"Evidence based" means that a treatment has been researched and studies indicate valid, reliable and measurable results.
What is "person centered" therapy?
Person centered therapy simply means clients are viewed as unique and therefore treatment approaches are similarly unique. Rather than a "cookie cutter" treatment plan, a person centered therapist views the client as an integral and evolving partner in the therapeutic relationship. Interventions and therapy sessions are tailored to the comfort level and choice of the client. The therapist takes on a non-judgemental, positive regard for her client where mutual respect is foundational.
What is CBT?
CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most common and widely studied forms of psychotherapy. It is an "evidence based" treatment for many different mental health problems and can also help those dealing with grief, physical health problems or chronic pain to cope and reduce symptoms. CBT operates under the premise that thoughts, feelings and behaviors are interconnected. Deconstructing harmful thought or behavior patterns can produce significant, positive outcomes and improved well being. CBT teaches coping skills that help individuals identify faulty core beliefs, dysfunctional assumptions and automatic negative thoughts. The goal is to help clients be more accurate and aware of their thinking and behavior, which has been shown to greatly improve their lives.
What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy integrates principles from traditional psychotherapy, movement modalities, and holistic treatments. Somatic therapists use various mind-body techniques to identify and release stored stress and trauma in the body, restoring homeostasis to the nervous system. The body, rather than the mind, is the foundational point for healing. Somatic therapy isn’t a singular concept, instead, it’s an umbrella term used to describe the many physical techniques therapists use to address mind-body stress and dysregulation. Somatic therapists view the mind and body as inherently connected and recognize that there is great wisdom in the body. Mind does not "control" the body nor does body "control" the mind. Rather, the two are in a deep, symbiotic "relationship" with one another. Emphasis is on nervous system health and restoration.
What is MindBody Science?
MindBody science is a framework for viewing health and wellness. It is rooted in nervous system physiology and recognizes nervous system "states" as the foundation for emotions, mood, behavior, stress response (anxiety), relationship dynamics, productivity/focus and so much more. It emphasizes the nervous system as a conduit for bi-directional communication between mind and body, and that this communication is always through the lens of "safety" and "connection". Techniques include various meditations, deep breathing, novel movement, body awareness, mindfulness, self orienting physical touch, stress management and resiliency training.
What is Nervous System Regulation?
Nervous System Regulation is, at its core, the ability to move flexibly between different states of the nervous system in response to (actual) environmental cues and stressors, and then to recover completely once the stressor has been removed or resolved. For MANY reasons our culture has created an epidemic of nervous system dysregulation. The result can create a cascade of problems within the person, the family, work/school and beyond. Nervous system dysregulation can be the result of chronic stress, grief, physical health problems, pain/injury, developmental disorders, nutritional/digestive problems, media/video game over-use, trauma - and much more. Our culture easily deprives, even the most conscientious among us, of our nervous system's essential needs.
Nervous system regulation involves:
✔️ Developing a basic understanding of relevant nervous system PRINCIPLES
✔️ Establishing greater mind and body AWARENESS
✔️ Developing basic distress tolerance and emotion regulation SKILLS
✔️ Developing and maintaining a practice of simple "neural exercises" designed to increase VAGAL TONE (resilience of stress response)
✔️ Creating habits that nurture signals of SAFETY and CONNECTION within the body
The negative impact nervous system dysregulation has on your body, mind and relationships can be profound, but the efficacy of treatment is also profound. Nowhere in society are the essentials of nervous system health being educated or emphasized, and yet the nervous system is the gateway to our overall health, wellness, relationships and even behavior. This is one of the reasons nervous system health has become my specialty and passion. It is truly THAT crucial to healing, productivity and self development.
The science of neuropsychology has given us the tools to understand ourselves and each other like never before. It's truly my pleasure to help clients grow and thrive in this awareness!
