Treatment Modalities

I practice evidence based treatments and am trained in multiple modalities including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Polyvagal Informed Therapy (PVT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). I tailor therapy to meet individual needs and practice an eclectic model where I incorporate parts of different treatments after assessing what will be most effective for you. Below is more information on a few of the more specialized forms of therapy I practice.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

IFS is an evidence based therapy that was developed by Dr Richard Schwartz in the 80s. While practicing family and individual therapy Dr Schwarts noticed that each individual has a system of parts in themselves that are similar to family systems. IFS believes that we are all born with different parts and that through time those parts take on roles which are meant to protect us but become extreme. These parts can all be healed by self, which is a healing presence that everyone also has inside of them. IFS is a form of therapy which has the goal of empowering everyone to have the ability to lead their own internal healing.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR was developed by Dr. Robin Shapiro in 1987 and is an evidence-based therapy which utilizes bilateral stimulation while simultaneously focusing on memories and somatic experiences. EMDR was created as a brief model for Post-traumatic stress disorder however it has also been found to be an effective treatment modality for adaptively processing current, past and future experiences. EMDR uses visual (lights) audible (tones) or tactile (vibrations) as bilateral stimulation to help shift how memories are processed by the brain. EMDR allows the brain to resume integration of events that are stuck in the fight /flight/freeze response. The brain creates new maps of the experience through the process which allows the creation of a new map that can now give directions.

Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT)

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) was developed by Dr. Sue Johnson and Les Greenbern in 1985. EFT is considered one of the most effective forms of therapy for couples and families. Dr. Johnson created EFIT as specific evidence-based model of EFT to be used with individuals. EFIT is emotionally focused, experimental, and routed in systems and attachment theory. As a therapy it helps us understand our patterns of behavior in the context of our past relationships and heal on a nervous system level.