Approach & Practice
Each person is unique and carries their own set of challenges, therefore we draw from a number of evidence-based practices to meet our client's needs.
Therapy Approaches
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a skill derived from Buddhist and Hindu teachings that highlight a non-judgmental, present-focused awareness in order to accept and anchor into the present moment. Mindfulness allows us to slow down, pay attention with purpose, in the present moment, without judgment. Understanding and identifying our emotions allows us to acknowledge them to then help you understand yourself better and move forward.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a skills-based approach to examining how thoughts, physical sensations, and behaviors are connected and impact our overall well-being. CBT focuses on identifying maladaptive thinking and behavioral patterns and implementing specific strategies to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, etc. CBT is an active, problem-focused approach that helps to directly challenge various cognitive distortions and change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior.
Relational Cultural Theory
Relational Cultural Theory is based off a model of growth and effectiveness that suggests people grow and are most productive in relationships that are characterized by mutuality and empathy. Together, you learn to identify how you may be pushing people away rather than attracting them and also come to understand how these behaviors are related to past experiences.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses on learning to manage difficult or intense emotions and to decrease conflict in relationships. The underlying philosophy of DBT hinges on the important dialectic that we are all doing the best we can, and we have the ability to be better. DBT specifically focuses on providing therapeutic skills in four key areas—mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Specialties
Eating Disorders
Our team specializes in disordered eating/eating disorders (Binge Eating Disorder, OSFED, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, ARFID). We adhere to the principles of Health At Every Size and take an anti-diet and weight-inclusive approach in our work, meaning we help support those in all bodies to recognize non-adaptive behavioral patterns, develop tools for regulating emotions, and work towards body liberation. We believe best practice for treating an eating disorder is collaborating with the patient's outpatient team (RD, Psychiatrist/NP, PCP, etc.)
Body Image
The relationship we have with our bodies did not form overnight. For those recovering from an eating disorder, it is unrealistic, and often harmful, to expect that we can move directly from body hatred to body love. Instead, through self-compassion and an understanding of how our culture has taught us to equate our bodies with our worth, we can begin to unpack the fatphobia we have internalized and develop a more compassionate relationship with our bodies. This work can create a path toward body neutrality, body acceptance, and ultimately, body liberation. It allows us to build a relationship with our bodies rooted less in judgment and more in compassion, acceptance, and freedom.
Life Transitions
A life transition is any change or adjustment that impacts your life in a significant way. We all experience transitions throughout our lives — big and small, planned and unplanned. Life transitions, even positive ones, can leave us feeling stuck, anxious, confused, lost and even, despairing. How you ride the waves of change makes a big difference in how it affects you.
