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Therapeutic Models

My interest is geared towards therapeutic models that have been well researched for their long term efficacy and ability to treat individuals who have not experienced significant relief from traditional "talk therapy". Below are a few models I use in individual and couples therapy.

  • Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Dialectic Behavior Therapy ( DBT)
  • Gottman Method to couples therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing ( EMDR )

EMDR is a therapy that was originally developed for the treatment of trauma. Its amazing results were seen with Vietnam vets

who were experiencing agonizing flashbacks, nightmares, and debilitating social and occupational functioning. Since its inception, EMDR has been researched for its efficacy in treating "Big T" trauma and "Little t" trauma. Big T trauma includes rape, death, abuse, divorce, adoption, and more. "Little t" trauma includes events that have led to phobias, anxiety, depression, and a general sense of insecurity and worthlessness.

EMDR explores earlier life experiences that continue to influences one's current functioning negatively as well as one's outlook of the future. EMDR aims to promote healing on an emotional, cognitive, and physiological level. ( Body, Mind, and Spirit)  

I am an EMDR therapist and have witnessed incredible changes in my clients who have participated in this therapy.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy ( DBT )

DBT is a model that emphasizes the importance of core mindfulness as a way to assist clients to regulate emotions, improve relationships and interpersonal effectiveness, and tolerate chaos and distress. DBT teaches clients to use a "wise mind" or balanced approach to manging daily living by learning and employing 21 life skills.

Using DBT, I work to create a validating. nonjudgmental environment in which clients can explore their feelings and experiences openly while gaining skills that can replace maladaptive behaviors.  

Recommended Readings :

Power of Now

Stop Walking on Eggshells

Hold Me Tight

The Mindful Way Through Depression

Healing the Addictive Mind

The Gift of Fear

Emotional Blackmail

The Seven Principals to Making Marriages Work

The Relationship Cure

Gottman Method to Couples Therapy

 The Gottman Institute has studied thousands of couples to better understand, "what makes a successful relationship?". The principals outlined in Gottman's couples therapy are appropriate for gay and straight couples as well as married or dating couples. The Gottman method suggests that a couple's happiness and success is founded on friendship, admiration, turning towards your partner, ability to tolerate and resolve conflict, developing a shared meaning (The Sound House Model).

Couples participating in the Gottman method therapy will be given a thorough assessment to determine the couple's strengths and deficits. Specific skills will be taught and practiced to help increase each partner's empathy and validation of each other's thoughts and feelings, repair painful and hurtful interactions between the couple, develop resiliency to cope with life changes, and develop shared meaning to enhance intimacy and connection.

I have completed Level I and Level II trainings offered by the Gottman Institute .

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