Types of Therapy
If you have ready any articles or listened to the news lately you may have heard about different types (or modalities) of treatment. This page will provide you information on the types of treatment provided at Serenity In Solutions.
Liz Hemme LADC-MH has completed training/certification in all treatment modalities listed below.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that treats problems and boosts happiness by modifying dysfunctional emotions, behaviors, and thoughts. CBT focuses on solutions, encouraging patients to challenge distorted cognitions and change destructive patterns of behavior. CBT is an evidence based therapy, meaning that study after study has shown this type of therapy works! CBT has been shown to help alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety and help patients with thought disorders (schizophrenia) and mood disorders (bi-polar). CBT is also used to treat patients with Chronic Pain. Anxiety spectrum disorders like OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), and problems like Hoarding, and Phobia's are treated with CBT based therapies.
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy that has been effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD that have developed after experiencing a variety of traumatic events including child abuse, combat, rape and natural disasters. CPT is generally delivered over 12 sessions and helps patients learn how to challenge and modify unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma. In so doing, the patient creates a new understanding and conceptualization of the traumatic event so that it reduces its ongoing negative effects on current life. This treatment is strongly recommended for the treatment of PTSD. CPT has been validated by the Department of Defense and Veteran's Administrations, and developed into an evidence based practice for Military trauma survivors.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational interviewing (based on Person-Centered Therapy) is a counseling method that helps people resolve ambivalent feelings and insecurities to find the internal motivation they need to change their behavior. It is a practical, empathetic, and short-term process that takes into consideration how difficult it is to make life changes. Motivational interviewing is often used to address addiction and the management of physical health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. This intervention helps people become motivated to change the behaviors that are preventing them from making healthier choices.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) provides clients with new skills to manage painful emotions and decrease conflict in relationships. DBT specifically focuses on providing therapeutic skills in four key areas. First, mindfulness focuses on improving an individual's ability to accept and be present in the current moment. Second, distress tolerance is geared toward increasing a person’s tolerance of negative emotion, rather than trying to escape from it. Third, emotion regulation covers strategies to manage and change intense emotions that are causing problems in a person’s life. Fourth, interpersonal effectiveness consists of techniques that allow a person to communicate with others in a way that is assertive, maintains self-respect, and strengthens relationships.
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Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR therapy includes a set of standardized protocols that incorporate elements from many different treatment approaches. Scientific research has established EMDR as effective for post traumatic stress. However, clinicians have also reported success using EMDR in treatment of the following conditions: Panic Attaks, Complicated Grief, Dissociative Disorders, Disturbing Memories, Phobias, Pain Disorders, Performance Anxiety, Stress Reduction, Addictions, Sexual and/or Physical Abuse, Body Dysmorphic Disorders, Personality Disorders. For more information on EMRD click here.
Cognitive (Behavioral) Therapy
Cognitive therapy encompasses a variety treatment approaches. The following are a few of these methods.
Rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) encourages the development of rational thinking to facilitate healthy emotional expression and behavior. Based on the notion that we are typically unaware of our deeply embedded irrational thoughts and how they affect us on a day-to-day basis. Three guiding principles of REBT are known as the ABCs: activating event, beliefs, and consequences.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) combines cognitive behavioral techniques with mindfulness strategies in order to help individuals better understand and manage their thoughts and emotions in order to achieve relief from feelings of distress. Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one's attention to experiences occurring in the present moment. Practicing mindfulness helps patients to train their brains to focus, reduce distractions and develop the "calm within the storm" ability.