Therapy modalities refer to different approaches and techniques used in psychotherapy to address mental health concerns. Our diverse team of professionals offer a variety of modalities to fit your needs. Every therapist on staff works differently, but most use an eclectic approach (unless otherwise requested by a client). We use different modalities based on a client’s symptoms and presenting problems/issues. If you have a request about the type of therapy you’d like to engage in with your therapist, please feel free to discuss it with them, ask questions about how/if they use it, and make requests about ways you’d like to engage in therapy!
Learn a bit more about therapy modalities below.
Therapy Modalities
CBT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented type of talk therapy that can help manage mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, and emotional concerns, such as coping with grief or stress. CBT can also help manage non-psychological health conditions, such as insomnia and chronic pain. {source: Cleveland Clinic}
All of our therapists utilize CBT.
Art Therapy
Art therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change. {source: American Art Therapy Association}
Meet our Art Therapists: Jacqueline, Hannah
ACT
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps you move beyond negative thoughts and feelings in a meaningful way by accepting that your thoughts and emotions are an appropriate response to certain situations and committing to making changes in your life that match your values. {source: Cleveland Clinic}
Meet our ACT Therapists: Mehrose, Jon, Alexa, Hannah, Kirsten
ERP
Used commonly as a treatment for OCD, the exposure component of ERP refers to practicing confronting the thoughts, images, objects, and situations that make you anxious and/or provoke your obsessions. The response prevention part refers to making a choice not to do a compulsive behavior once the anxiety or obsessions have been “triggered.” {source: International OCD Foundation}
Meet our ERP Therapists: Alexa, Hannah, Rachel, Mehrose, Kirsten
IFS
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is frequently used as an evidence-based psychotherapy, helping people heal by accessing and healing their protective and wounded inner parts. IFS creates inner and outer connectedness by helping people first access their Self and, from that core, come to understand and heal their parts. {source: IFS Institute}
Meet our IFS Therapists: Jon, Rachel, Angie, Breanna, Kirsten
Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy is a form of body-centered therapy that looks at the connection of mind and body and uses both talk therapy and physical therapies for holistic healing. In addition to talk therapy, somatic therapy practitioners use mind-body exercises and other physical techniques to help release the pent-up tension that negatively affects a patient’s physical and emotional wellbeing. {source: Psychology Today}
CPT
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD experienced after traumatic events. CPT helps challenge and modify unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma. In so doing, the patient creates a new understanding and conceptualization of the traumatic event so that it reduces its ongoing negative effects on current life. {Source: American Psychological Association}
DBT
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy, specially adapted for people who experience emotions very intensely. DBT is especially effective for people who have difficulty managing and regulating their emotions. {source: Cleveland Clinic}
Meet our DBT Therapists: Kristin, Kasia, Jacqueline, Hannah, Jenny, Kylie, Rachel, Alexa, Jon, Kirsten, Rosangela
Play Therapy
Play therapy is a structured, theoretically based approach to therapy that builds on the normal communicative and learning processes of children. Therapists strategically utilize play therapy to help children express what is troubling them when they do not have the verbal language to express their thoughts and feelings. {source: Association for Play Therapy}
Meet our Play Therapist: Hannah
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy treatment that is designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy, people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference. {source: EMDR Institute}
Meet our EMDR Therapists: Kristin, Angie, Kasia, Breanna, Kylie, Savanha, Rachel
EFT
Emotional freedom technique (EFT) or "tapping" is a method some people use to help manage emotions and troubling thoughts and lower their stress and anxiety. Using EFT, you tap your fingertips on pressure points on your hand, head, and torso. The pressure points are similar to those used in acupuncture. {source: HealthLink BC}
Meet our EFT Therapist: Jenny
Yoga Therapy
Yoga is a mind-body practice that focuses on your physical, emotional and mental health. The practice uses movement, mindfulness, meditation, relaxation and breathing exercises to help you relax, relieve stress and manage underlying conditions or symptoms. {source: Cleveland Clinic}
Meet our Yoga Teachers: Kristin, Angie, Lesli
Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy is a form of counseling that views people as separate from their problems and destructive behaviors. This allows clients to get some distance from the difficulty they face; this helps them to see how it might actually be helping or protecting them, more than it is hurting them. {source: Psychology Today}
Meet our NarrativeTherapist: Mehrose, Kirsten
Humanistic Therapy
Humanistic therapy is a form of talk therapy that focuses on a person’s individual nature, rather than assuming that groups of people with similar characteristics have the same concerns. Humanistic therapists aim to consider the whole person, especially their positive characteristics and potential for growth.{source: Psychology Today}
Meet our HumanisticTherapist: Mehrose
MBSR | Mindfulness
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an evidence-based program designed to reduce stress & enhance wellbeing through mindfulness practices, like meditation, body scans & mindful movement. to encourage present-moment awareness & acceptance. {source: Positive Psychology}
Meet our MBSR Therapist: Mehrose, Kirsten
Motivational Interviewing
Attachment-Based Therapy
An attachment-based approach looks at the connection between a person’s early attachment experiences with primary caregivers - and the person’s ability to develop normally and ultimately form healthy emotional and physical relationships as an adult. {source: Psychology Today}
Meet our Attachment-Based Therapist: Kirsten
Trauma-Focused Therapy
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) addresses the mental health needs of people suffering from the destructive effects of early trauma. The treatment is particularly sensitive to those with post-traumatic stress and mood disorders resulting from sexual and physical abuse, violence, or grief. {source: Psychology Today}