Techniques

• Cognitive Therapy and DBT

  Cognitive therapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), focuses on changing thoughts in order to change feelings and behavior. For example, the thought “I can’t do anything right” may lead to feelings of depression or self-doubt, as well as to behaviors such as not attempting to do new things. If this thought is replaced with another thought such as “I can be successful if I keep trying”, the feelings and behaviors will probably change as well.

  Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan, combines Western CBT concepts with Eastern mindfulness practice, and has proven effective with emotion regulation, setting interpersonal boundaries, impulsivity, self-harm, confusion about self, and many other issues. DBT is most effective when clients attend group sessions to learn DBT skills and also attend individual sessions with a DBT therapist in order to apply the skills to their own life circumstances. I can provide individual DBT therapy and help you locate a DBT group.

• Trauma Therapy

  Traumatic events ranging from automobile accidents to witnessing violence to being the victim of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse can cause Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which leads to symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, or avoiding certain situations.

  To treat the symptoms of trauma, I use Somatic Experiencing (SE), a set of techniques that gently help to release traumatic energy held in the body, by working with the body’s natural self-regulation process and dealing with the trauma in small increments. It is particularly useful in cases of developmental trauma or when thinking about traumatic events is too painful.

• Art Therapy

  I work with children ages five and up. The best way to help them work through their concerns is through play, which is the best way for them to learn anything. As a former early childhood educator, trainer, and consultant, this way of doing therapy with children came very naturally to me. And of course I work with parents and guardians as well, to help with communication and behavior issues, and to help them understand the unique needs of their child.

• Art Therapy
  • Sand Tray

    The purpose of Sand Tray, as I do it, is to create visual representations of your interior “world”, either a troubling one that you’d like to change, or one that’s an ideal – or maybe a mixture of the two. Like all nonverbal techniques, it works by letting your subconscious or semiconscious mind communicate something so that your conscious mind can become aware of it.

    I keep on hand several types of Sand Tray materials, ranging from people to trees to lighthouses to animals to... I’m adding new things all the time!

  • Collage

    Collages can be done on just about any topic you want, and you don’t have to be an “Artist” to do them. One of the most popular types of collage with my clients is the Vision Board, on which you put images representing your goals and dreams for any and all aspects of your life. 

    If you would like, I’m happy to share with you several examples of Vision Boards I have created over the years.

  • Touch Drawing

    Touch Drawing is my favorite technique for bringing out nonverbal aspects of oneself. It was developed by Deborah Koff-Chapin, and I had the privilege of learning it from her a few years ago. Check out her website at: www.touchdrawing.com.

    It starts with a smooth board on which you roll out a thin layer of paint. Then you lay a sheet of paper on top, and use your fingers (or fingernails, palm, elbow, etc.) to make images.

    In a Touch Drawing session you will make a series of drawings, and the process is more important than the product. Often you will be working through an issue as you make the drawings, without realizing it until you and I look through them afterwards. I also do Touch Drawing in groups — contact me if you have a group which would like to schedule a session.