Theoretical Orientation
The short version
I use a relational approach to working with clients and believe that the relationship built between me and my clients is often central to helping create change. I also use Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), both are empirically validated treatment modalities for a wide range of psychological problems, including anxiety disorders, depression, self-injury, and eating disorders.
The long version
I work primarily from an interpersonal and relational approach, having been heavily influenced by the interpersonal process approach to therapy (IPT). This therapeutic model synthesizes ideas from three traditions that have a relational emphasis: 1) interpersonally oriented theorists, 2) object-relations and attachment theory, and 3) family systems.
I also integrate Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in my work with clients when it is needed. DBT is especially useful in treating clients engaging in dangerous behaviors, such as eating disorders and/or those with a significant trauma history, as both groups typically have significant behavioral and emotional regulation difficulties that necessitate direct intervention before moving into deeper work.
I have been privileged to receive highly advanced training in the treatment of complex trauma (C-PTSD) from some of the nation's leading experts, and when treating complex trauma I have been trained in using phase based approaches, and specifically I most frequently use Component Based Psychotherapy (CBP; Hopper, Grossman, Spinazzola & Zucker, 2015). Phase based approaches are currently considered best practice by the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN). The goal of a phase based approach is to focus on safety and stability (eg getting a good handle on DBT skills) before moving into deeper trauma processing work in order to do so safely and effectively. CBP contains 4 progressing and overlapping components of treatment the relationship, regulation, and identity fragmentation (dissociation), and narrative work.
When working with a client, I obtain a comprehensive understanding of the person, particularly focusing on the client’s past and present relationships and exploring if their early relationship and attachment needs were met. In line with interpersonal and attachment theories, I believe that when people do not get their relational needs met, especially early in life, they develop ways to cope and get those needs met that may not be healthy or effective in all situations. The belief that “people make sense” is central to my understanding of clients. Specifically, people’s current symptoms, maladaptive behaviors (such as self-injury and eating disorders), and relational patterns make sense given the context in which they originally developed and at one point in time they were effective and helped the client survive. In addition to learning new ways of coping, understanding where and why these behaviors developed is key to a client’s journey towards psychological health.
Often, I believe a critical task in therapy is to help clients recognize their problematic internal working models and related unhealthy relationship patterns. I seek to help clients learn new ways of understanding self and others in relationship instead of constantly enacting past patterns. The therapeutic relationship is of the utmost importance because the client’s past relationship patterns will inevitably be enacted in the relationship. When enactments occur I strive to respond to the client in more effective ways than he/she has experienced in the past and discuss what is happening between the client and myself. This approach facilitates the client’s exploration of current relationships and how their earlier relationships with attachment figures have affected the client’s current intrapersonal and interpersonal functioning. Change happens for the client when these patterns emerge but the therapist does not respond in the old problematic ways, creating a corrective emotional experience. Through this experience the client discovers that they do not have to respond in their old ways, nor do they have to receive the same unwanted treatment from others. By learning a new way of being in relationships, combined with developing healthier ways to cope through DBT skills, clients can have healthier more balanced lives and obtain relief from their symptoms.
I use a relational approach to working with clients and believe that the relationship built between me and my clients is often central to helping create change. I also use Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), both are empirically validated treatment modalities for a wide range of psychological problems, including anxiety disorders, depression, self-injury, and eating disorders.
The long version
I work primarily from an interpersonal and relational approach, having been heavily influenced by the interpersonal process approach to therapy (IPT). This therapeutic model synthesizes ideas from three traditions that have a relational emphasis: 1) interpersonally oriented theorists, 2) object-relations and attachment theory, and 3) family systems.
I also integrate Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in my work with clients when it is needed. DBT is especially useful in treating clients engaging in dangerous behaviors, such as eating disorders and/or those with a significant trauma history, as both groups typically have significant behavioral and emotional regulation difficulties that necessitate direct intervention before moving into deeper work.
I have been privileged to receive highly advanced training in the treatment of complex trauma (C-PTSD) from some of the nation's leading experts, and when treating complex trauma I have been trained in using phase based approaches, and specifically I most frequently use Component Based Psychotherapy (CBP; Hopper, Grossman, Spinazzola & Zucker, 2015). Phase based approaches are currently considered best practice by the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN). The goal of a phase based approach is to focus on safety and stability (eg getting a good handle on DBT skills) before moving into deeper trauma processing work in order to do so safely and effectively. CBP contains 4 progressing and overlapping components of treatment the relationship, regulation, and identity fragmentation (dissociation), and narrative work.
When working with a client, I obtain a comprehensive understanding of the person, particularly focusing on the client’s past and present relationships and exploring if their early relationship and attachment needs were met. In line with interpersonal and attachment theories, I believe that when people do not get their relational needs met, especially early in life, they develop ways to cope and get those needs met that may not be healthy or effective in all situations. The belief that “people make sense” is central to my understanding of clients. Specifically, people’s current symptoms, maladaptive behaviors (such as self-injury and eating disorders), and relational patterns make sense given the context in which they originally developed and at one point in time they were effective and helped the client survive. In addition to learning new ways of coping, understanding where and why these behaviors developed is key to a client’s journey towards psychological health.
Often, I believe a critical task in therapy is to help clients recognize their problematic internal working models and related unhealthy relationship patterns. I seek to help clients learn new ways of understanding self and others in relationship instead of constantly enacting past patterns. The therapeutic relationship is of the utmost importance because the client’s past relationship patterns will inevitably be enacted in the relationship. When enactments occur I strive to respond to the client in more effective ways than he/she has experienced in the past and discuss what is happening between the client and myself. This approach facilitates the client’s exploration of current relationships and how their earlier relationships with attachment figures have affected the client’s current intrapersonal and interpersonal functioning. Change happens for the client when these patterns emerge but the therapist does not respond in the old problematic ways, creating a corrective emotional experience. Through this experience the client discovers that they do not have to respond in their old ways, nor do they have to receive the same unwanted treatment from others. By learning a new way of being in relationships, combined with developing healthier ways to cope through DBT skills, clients can have healthier more balanced lives and obtain relief from their symptoms.