Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidenced based therapeutic approach which identifies automatic thoughts that lead to certain emotions and behaviors. According to American Psychological Association, “CBT treatment usually involves efforts to change thinking patterns. These strategies might include:
Learning to recognize one’s distortions in thinking that are creating problems, and then to reevaluate them in light of reality.
Gaining a better understanding of the behavior and motivation of others.
Using problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations.
Learning to develop a greater sense of confidence in one’s own abilities.”
Automatic thoughts come from our core beliefs. Core beliefs are developed from our early experiences and shape the way we view the world, ourselves or our future. CBT is most beneficial when clients complete CBT related homework in order to draw more awareness of how negative thinking affects negative emotions.
The Mayo Clinic has noted certain disorders that may benefit from CBT. This disorders include:
Depression
Anxiety disorders
Phobias
PTSD
Sleep disorders
Eating disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Substance use disorders
Bipolar disorders
Schizophrenia
Sexual disorders
Gottman Method Couple’s Therapy
Gottman Method Couple’s Therapy provides research based tools and understanding for relationships. The Gottman approach looks at strengths and weaknesses within your romantic relationship. The beginning sessions are an assessment to look at those strengths and weaknesses before treatment begins. The first session brings the couple together to discuss their presenting concerns and history. The next (second) session the couple meet with the therapist to discuss their upbringing, previous relationships and any other personal data. During this week the couple is also completing an online questionnaire through the Gottman Institute called the Gottman Connect. This is an online questionnaire that is completed separately. During the last assessment session (third) the therapist will provide the couple with the results of the online questionnaire, determine couple’s motivation to begin treatment, and develop therapeutic goals. Here is a link to take a quick and free quiz: https://www.gottman.com/how-well-do-you-know-your-partner/.
According the Gottman Method, “Some of the relationship issues that may be addressed in therapy include:
Frequent conflict and arguments
Poor communication
Emotionally distanced couples on the verge of separation
Specific problems such as sexual difficulties, infidelity, money, and parenting”
Please note, insurance companies do not typically cover couple’s counseling unless it is “medically necessary.” That means, if the presenting problems within the marriage are due to a mental illness of one or both partners we can submit a claim. Please call for further information.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals reduce feelings of distress associated with traumatic experiences and memories. During EMDR therapy the client attends to emotionally disturbing material in brief sequential doses while simultaneously focusing on an external stimulus. Therapist directed lateral eye movements are the most commonly used external stimulus but a variety of other stimuli including hand-tapping and audio stimulation are often used (Shapiro, 1991).
EMDR therapy uses a three pronged protocol:
(1) the past events that have laid the groundwork for dysfunction are processed, forging new associative links with adaptive information
(2) the current circumstances that elicit distress are targeted, and internal and external triggers are desensitized
(3) imaginal templates of future events are incorporated, to assist the client in acquiring the skills needed for adaptive functioning*
Resources:
https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/about/pac-20384610