Therapy Orientations & Approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
(CBT)

CBT focuses on shifting the way you think and behave, as a way to manage problems and reduce distressing symptoms. It is evidence-based; research shows its effectiveness for depression, anxiety, stress, OCD, and other mental health concerns.

We will examine thoughts and thought patterns, to identify where they are unhelpful and problematic, and explore how they link to earlier life experiences, unconscious core beliefs you hold (which influence how you perceive situations), and stressors that activate these types of thoughts. From there, we work to restructure thought patterns to be more neutral, realistic, and helpful for you.

CBT also breaks down behavioral patterns and responses which lead to negative impacts on your life. We work together to identify new skills and tools to reduce unhelpful patterns and impulses, so that you can respond to yourself and others in a more balanced manner.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
(ACT)

ACT is a form of behavioral and mindfulness therapy that facilitates a shift in how you relate to your thoughts and emotions and develop psychological flexibility to uncomfortable (often mislabeled as “negative”) emotions. Since so much of life is outside of one’s control, ACT teaches the practice of acceptance towards what is outside of your control while enhancing commitment to values that are you going to make your life fulfilling.

Life will always have distressing moments and emotions—it’s built into the human experience. In ACT, we will use practical tools to help you ride out those distressing moments, so that they are less intense and you can bounce back quicker.

Mindfulness plays a major role in ACT; not only is it an effective coping tool, it alters how you relate to yourself and engage in life, so that you can embody concepts like acceptance, compassion, presence, and gratitude.

Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)

CFT is a holistic-oriented model based on evolutionary psychology, attachment theory, and Buddhist compassion practice. It explores skills to help regulate mood and embody feelings of safety, self-acceptance, comfort, and self-compassion.

CFT helps you develop a kindness towards yourself, which can counter self-criticism and judgment, which are found to be more destructive than motivating. It also teaches how to self-soothe and offer yourself comfort in times of distress.

Through CFT, we will explore how you can connect more deeply to yourself and access comfort and emotion-regulation, through customized practices in session and for you to take home.

Intersectionality

Intersectionality examines how our multiple identities— such as race, religion, gender, sexuality, language, culture, ableness, citizenship, socioeconomic status, and more— impact us. The intersection of identities can cause greater marginalization and disparities for certain groups. By holding a lens of intersectionality in psychotherapy work, we gain a deeper understanding of how you respond and react to the world, based on your [marginalized] experiences and inner world, rather than from pathology of your mental health. Furthermore, most counseling theories are formed from Euro-centric, upper-middle class viewpoints and should be modified to fit the diverse needs of clients; my focus with you is to adapt the orientations we’re using to fit your needs and identity.