“You combine hard work, creativity and self-determination, and things start to happen”
— Sofia Amoruso
TECHNIQUES USED IN THERAPY
Motivational Interviewing (moves a client away from ambivalence, inaction and discrepancies through use of techniques that motivate an individual to make positive decisions/changes).
Cognitive Behavioral Techniques (Teaches an individual how to identify and re-frame a unhealthy or negative thoughts that impact self-esteem, view of the world and overall functioning). This technique is based on how thoughts, feelings and behaviors are interconnected. How a individual thinks or perceives a situation impacts their feelings and behaviors.
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Similar to the above, however, this is catered to younger children or population with a trauma history, and has a deeper focus on trauma reminders, triggers, flashbacks and how these can impact current functioning and how to manage this to improve well-being).
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (this is a specific type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, that focuses on mindfulness, interpersonal functioning, stress tolerance and emotional regulation).
Pscyho-dynamic-Techniques (focuses on a individual’s past experiences, beliefs and way of approaching and reacting to the world that lead to patterns of behaviors that may be contributing to dysfunction). This introspective approach serves to help the client have a better understanding of them-self.
Narrative Techniques (Address the mind, body and culture through writing or re-writing and establishing new meaning out concerns) This separates the client from the problem or concerns at hand, helps them identify their values, and focuses on the client’s power to resolve problems and improve functioning.
Gestalt Therapy (Provides greater awareness of how a person is experiencing the world, through accepting and trusting their feelings). Techniques include role play and imagining that a part of yourself or a person you are having conflict with is in the room, and what you would say to them, this is known as the empty chair technique).
Solution Focused Techniques (Is a evidenced based practice used for short-term therapy, where therapist and individual work together to identify all possible solutions to a concern/problem and then weigh the pros and cons of each possible solution to determine the best means to address the issue).
Art Therapy (expression of self, feelings, and concerns through artwork)
Biblio-therapy (Reading about your life situation or education about a mental health diagnosis for additional support, validation of what are going through, normalization and self-understanding).
Person Centered Techniques (This approach focuses on how the client is the expert in their treatment, and that needs and concerns may change overtime so techniques and goals are ever evolving). The therapist works with the client to guide them to evoke change. The therapist serves as a mirror in therapy to help the client gain more insight into themselves, their needs, and steps they need to take to reach their goals and attain improve wellness.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: This approach focuses on mindfulness, and strategies to assist with healthy detachment/coping from intense thoughts/feelings. This approach believes that this is needed to be able to take action steps toward change/wellness goals. I.e this is just a thought/feeling, I am not this thought or feeling. I will let these thoughts and feelings flow freely without judgement. Detachment occurs in the midst of an intense thought/feeling or trigger, and at a safer time later in that day or week when the intensity subsides a person circles back for self-reflection and processing of this event.