Specialties

EMDR Therapist in San Diego

EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the patient to briefly focus on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. Ongoing research supports positive clinical outcomes showing EMDR therapy as a helpful treatment for disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences.

EMDR Video link: https://youtu.be/Pkfln-ZtWeY

(Courtesy of EMDR International Association at emdria.org)

IFS Therapist in San Diego

Internal Family Systems is a powerfully transformative, individual, evidence-based model of psychotherapy that creates an inner dialogue between a person's core Self - the part in each of us that carries our wisdom, self-compassion and knowing - and the many "parts" a person develops over a lifetime. Some of these parts carry painful beliefs, emotions, thoughts, sensations and memories that may be negatively impacting us in our current lives. IFS allows a compassionate relationship to grow between these parts and the Self. Our inner parts contain valuable qualities and our core Self knows how to heal, allowing us to become integrated and whole. In IFS all parts are welcome.

https://ifs-institute.com/

ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)

"Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) gets its name from one of its core messages: accept what is out of your personal control and commit to action that improves and enriches your life.

The aim of ACT is to maximise human potential for a rich, full and meaningful life. ACT (which is pronounced as the word ‘act’, not as the initials ‘A.C.T.’) does this by helping you to:

a) develop psychological skills to deal more effectively with difficult thoughts and feelings, to reduce their impact and influence over you;

b) clarify your values (your heart’s deepest desires for how you want to behave as a human being; how you want to treat yourself, others and the world around you). You then use these values to guide, inspire and motivate yourself to take action: to do what matters, face your fears, live meaningfully, and change your life for the better;

c) focus your attention on what is important and engage fully in whatever you are doing."

-Russ Harris https://www.actmindfully.com.au/about-act/

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)

"CBT is based on the theory that the way individuals perceive a situation is more closely connected to their reaction than the situation itself. Individuals’ perceptions are often distorted and unhelpful, particularly when they are distressed. Cognitive Behavior Therapy helps people identify their distressing thoughts and evaluate how realistic the thoughts are. Then they learn to change their distorted thinking. When they think more realistically, they feel better. The emphasis is also consistently on solving problems and initiating behavioral changes."

https://beckinstitute.org/about/understanding-cbt/

Mindfulness Self-Compassion Therapy

Mindfulness is a practice found within multiple therapy approaches in which one learns to focus on the present moment. It is a process of acceptance, non-judgment, and gentle curiosity for whatever may arise. As the mind naturally drifts toward future planning and worries, or past frustrations and hurts, we kindly notice our minds have drifted and return to the present by way of a chosen focal point - often one's breath. One may also choose to gently explore, observe and "be with" whatever sensations, thoughts, feelings and memories arise, while aware they are still grounded in the present moment.

Mindfulness assists us to recognize that the source of much of our suffering is our dwelling in a future that hasn't happened, or a past that can't be changed. Mindfulness focuses on the power of presence, the only moment that truly is.