Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (referred to as CBT) is based on the idea that how you think about a situation plays a powerful role in determining how you feel and how you behave/act or respond. If someone thinks positively about something they will probably feel positively about it. Conversely, if they think negatively about something - whether or not that thought is supported by evidence - they will feel negatively. All of us have patterns of thoughts that are based on our personal experiences and shape how we feel and behave. At times we make incorrect assumptions or create unfounded negative thoughts (about situations) which we call irrational beliefs. When we consistently accept irrational beliefs as facts it can lead to negative emotions and unhealthy behaviors. The cognitive model helps patients identify and challenge their particular patterns of irrational thoughts and to ultimately change them so they can be more in control of their feelings and actions.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Anxiety Psychoeducation
Clients who seek treatment for anxiety often have limited knowledge about their problem. They might know that they are afraid of certain objects or situations or have a constant feeling of physiological discomfort but aren’t aware of how anxiety works or their ability to impact anxiety’s negative influence on them. My approach to working with clients seeking treatment for anxiety disorders is to help educate them on how to become experts in their own anxiety treatment. We begin by discussing what anxiety is and the difference between healthy and unhealthy anxiety - as a certain amount of anxiety is beneficial and is necessary for survival. We then discuss sources of anxiety and clients begin identifying situations which trigger them to feel anxious. Educating clients in how anxiety is created by two areas of the brain and how they are manifested differently and therefore need to be addressed differently is very helpful.