HELPFUL INFORMATION
WHAT IS ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, is a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a substantial research base demonstrating effectiveness for a wide range of mental health concerns. In ACT, we assist you in developing new behaviors that can help you to reduce suffering and develop intentional lives. ACT is particularly helpful in addressing experiences like shame, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Strategies that assist in this process include cultivating flexibility in thinking and identifying your unique core values. ACT also teaches mindfulness and compassion. In these ways, ACT assists individuals in coping, and thriving, in the presence of discomfort, versus desperately fighting against it (and suffering even more as a result!). The goal is to help you move towards your chosen values and intentions so that you can live a life on purpose.
WHAT IS COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, refers to a variety of treatments that focuses on the interaction of thoughts/beliefs, feelings, and behaviors. CBT assists individuals in clarifying that not all thoughts are true or adaptive. This treatment approach is collaborative in that the therapist and client work together to learn how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are related to each other. From there, we can develop healthier responses and ways of thinking. This treatment focuses both on reducing negative thinking and on developing behaviors that help you to problem solve, tolerate distress, and gain mastery of your life.
WHAT IS MINDFULNESS BASED THERAPY?
Mindfulness is used to help individuals become aware of thoughts and feelings in the present moment, in order to experience them without being controlled by them. It is also used to create and increase emotional intelligence. Some people refer to mindfulness strategies like meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises. While these certainly are mindfulness-based activities - and are incredibly effective- I teach mindfulness as a mental state of awareness, focused attention, and whole-hearted openness. In this way, mindfulness allows one to be engaged in the "here and now," and less, or un-, burdened by challenging thoughts and emotions.
In ACT, mindfulness skills are cultivated by way of three core processes: acceptance of thoughts, feelings, and urges; defusion, or gaining distance from unhelpful thoughts and emotions; and, contact with the present moment, as it is, with curiosity.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (based on the large body of work by John Kabat-Zinn) are also effective modalities incorporating training in non-judgmental and intentional awareness with effective cognitive and behavioral strategies.
Mindfulness training is a core element of my practice because I believe it helps people to fundamentally change the way they relate to uncomfortable emotions and feelings. This, in turn, allows them to live their lives with more vitality and intention.
WHAT IS TELETHERAPY?
Services provided by way of secure, HIPAA compliant telehealth platforms allow clients to see their providers with greater ease and convenience. There is substantial evidence that teletherapy is an effective and appropriate alternative to in-person services for many individuals. Teletherapy allows for: more accessibility (for example, if the preferred therapist's office is far from the client, or scheduling constraints); potentially lower costs (not traveling for care, paying for childcare); privacy; and, as we navigate this pandemic/epidemic, better public health. Teletherapy is NOT appropriate for some individuals and may not be suited for certain treatment modalities. My practice has operated via Telehealth exclusively for several years with great success and patient-reported satisfaction. In our consultation call and throughout treatment, I will be assessing whether teletherapy is clinically appropriate for you.
Click above to link to a variety of mental health and psychological resources.