CBT helps clients identify and restructure unhealthy thinking patterns, examine and restructure negative beliefs, and confront destructive and negative self-talk. CBT is frequently used to treat symptoms of anxiety and depression, trauma, disordered eating, low self-esteem, and OCD.

Bibliotherapy utilizes the client’s relationship with the written word and the reading of specific texts as a form of therapy. Whether it’s poetry, non-fiction, or fiction, bibliotherapy can educate, provide emotional release and insight, help develop a better understanding of self, and reduce isolation by connecting the reader with a story that he/she/they can identify with.

“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive.”

- James Baldwin

Research indicates that writing about our feelings, thoughts, experiences, and significant life events can improve mental health and overall well-being. Expressive writing is frequently used to reduce stress and to alleviate symptoms of trauma, anxiety, grief, and depression. Techniques involve gratitude journaling, stream of consciousness, dream analysis, and narrative writing, just to name a few.

“I only write to understand myself better …”

- Paulo Coelho

DBT is an adaptive form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and is the go to intervention for those struggling to tolerate intense, uncomfortable emotions. It is often used to treat depression and suicidal ideation, disordered eating, and self-harm. Education and skills building are large components of DBT.

Psychological education - Psychoeducation - is an intervention that combines components of CBT, group therapy, and education. The practitioner provides clients and their support network with the necessary information, resources, and education so that everyone understands the illness and the treatment plan. Everyone works together to support the client and help them achieve the best possible outcomes.

Empowerment therapy seeks to help clients break free from obstacles that are holding them back in life by teaching skills, building knowledge, and identifying strengths. The focus is placed on self-worth. the right to self-determination. and drawing from one’s strengths to impact change. Empowerment therapy is a common intervention used with women survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, emotional, psychological, and physical abuse.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) takes a short-term, goal-focused approach and incorporates positive psychology principles to help clients problem solve and create positive changes in their lives. SFBT focuses on identifying and implementing solutions instead of merely focusing on the problem. SFBT is hope friendly, seeks to elicit positive emotions, and encourages a future-oriented approach to bring about lasting change.

PDT is a form of talk therapy that explores the connection between past experiences – often from childhood – and one’s current state of mind. This form of intervention typically involves discussing significant and sometimes traumatic life events. It is important for the therapist and client to develop a strong rapport and deep sense of trust when engaging in PDT.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) incorporates mindfulness practices such as present moment awareness, meditation, and breathing exercises. MBCT is typically used to manage symptoms of depression and anxiety. The goal is to teach skills to help the client remain in the here and now instead of obsessing about the past or the future and spiraling into a depressed and/or anxious state.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is designed to strengthen motivation and commitment to achieve a specific goal by eliciting and exploring the person’s own reasons for change within an atmosphere of acceptance and compassion. MI is often used for those who doubt their ability to change unhealthy habits and/or behaviors, those who are uncertain if they want to change, and those who feel uncertain about the benefits of changing and the disadvantages of staying in their current situations. Substance abuse, addictions, disordered eating, and low self-esteem are often treated withMI.