Individual Counseling

Our Individual Counseling Techniques

MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING (MI)

Change can be hard. This is a proven therapeutic method in which we create a strong, unconditional positive regard with the client to help elicit change. Through this relationship, the therapist accompanies the client through stages of changes. For instance, this technique can work to motivate a young person to do better academically, stop substance abuse, or find the courage to start a new sport or activity.

BEHAVIORAL ACTIVATION (BA)

Often a mental health problem sucks all of your energy. You get stuck in the same cycle of staying home, declining invitations to go out, and things get worse. Sometimes just having someone to support you to get back into the old activities you used to enjoy or explore new ones does the trick. This is an amazingly simple and effective therapy.

COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT)

One of the toughest challenges in our day-to-day life is coping with unhelpful voices within us that drag us down and prevent us from feeling fulfilled or from growing. An example of CBT in action can be teaming with a client to identify and challenge this negative automatic self-talk that happens day-to-day. It is not uncommon for someone to be their toughest critic. This unhelpful habit is common in today’s competitive society, which CBT helps to resolve. Anxiety is a common area in which CBT is used; CBT can have a role in reducing anxiety through real-life exposures to fears. Coping skills like mindfulness and positive self-talk are taught and practiced.

Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT)

Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) is a therapeutic approach that applies the principles of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to individual therapy. EFIT can help individuals who struggle with emotional regulation, self-esteem, and relationship issues.

EFIT focuses on exploring your emotional experiences and how they are related to your current struggles. The therapist helps the client to identify and express their emotions in a safe and supportive environment, and to develop more secure emotional attachments to themselves and others.

EFIT can help individuals by improving their emotional regulation, self-awareness, and self-esteem. It can also help individuals to identify and change negative patterns of thinking and behavior that are preventing them from achieving their goals.

EFIT is effective in treating a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship problems. It can also be used to help individuals who are experiencing stress related to life transitions such as divorce, loss, or career changes.

TRAUMA-FOCUSED CBT

This evidenced based therapy for children follows a sequence of steps designed to develop relaxation and self-regulation skills while re-exposing a child in a constructive way to their trauma to reduce PTSD symptoms.

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an interactive psychotherapy technique used to relieve psychological stress. It is an effective treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

SOCIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Sometimes we need to put in extra effort to learn social skills that come naturally to others. Adverse life experiences can interfere with social skill development as well as physical and mental health problems. Through role playing, in-vivo exposures, and positive encouragement, a client develops the courage to start practicing new social skills and reaps the rewards. Just like a muscle, the brain can be strengthened and toned to learn new skills.