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Individuals come in will all sorts of issues and challenges. Counseling can be a place to work through difficult transitions, process life events or learn different tools and resources for coping. Using principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Therapy. The better we are understand are values and accept what is important to us the better we can commit are life to living in accordance with them. With CBT we look at the negative thoughts and beliefs driving are actions and behaviors if we are able to shift are thoughts we can shift are beliefs about are selfs and ultimately change are behaviors.
Couples are usually stuck in relational patterns that are not working for them and leaving the couple hopeless about change. It’s not about the “dishes” or the “ laundry” it is usually about what is underneath the process/ and messages couples are giving each other in regards to the realationship. Using Gottman techniques in order to turn towards and not away and looking at different love languages and attachment styles couples can learn to change dysfunctional patterns and love each other in a way that the other understands.
Pre-teens/Teens When working with teens or adolescents I like to employ basic CBT or ACT principals. Many teens suffer from anxiety or depression based on difficulties in their current stage of emotional or physical development or difficulties at home or school. When one of these becomes overwhelming generally what can develop is Anxiety, Anger, and or Depression. I like to help alleviate and teach pre-teens/teens basic coping skills of becoming more aware of feelings, thoughts, and emotional triggers. This can then help the teen then start become aware and identify possible negative thoughts or core beliefs driving the behaviors and thoughts.
Children experience anxiety and depression and emotional disturbance just like adults. However, it can display itself in different ways such as anger, acting out, difficulty completing tasks at home or school. Since kids can’t always verbalize their thoughts and feelings like adults, emotional outbursts can be a way to express what is going on internally.
In order to better understand a child’s emotions I generally utilize play therapy techniques, sandtray, games, and art therapy techniques. The goal is to allow the child to express and work through whatever is driving or emotionally disturbing them through play and art. Then after assessment, providing parents and or caregivers with the tools and resources to better help their child and family system.
Trauma is defined as: a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. Most people have experienced some sort of traumatic experience in their life whether it be big or small.
Sports Psychology can be helpful for those who are blocked in their sports performance or are experiencing performance anxiety. If you are an athlete and recovering from an injury sport psychology can also be effective in helping you develop healthy mindsets during your time off during recovery.
Image Transformation Therapy
EMDR is one the most highly recommended tools for helping individuals reprocess difficult or traumatic events in a individuals life that may be keeping them stuck.
