Treatment focus

Do you ever hear yourself saying, "There's a part of me that feels... but then another part of me that feels...."Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a form of psychotherapy developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, LMFT that is compassionate, powerfully healing, and respectful of our inner life. IFS recognizes that our thought life and emotions are organized sub-personalities ("parts of us") that function in specific patterns for specific reasons. IFS has been effective in improving the symptoms of phobia, panic, generalized anxiety and physical health conditions. It is effective in addressing issues of personal resilience, self-concept; and depression.

"SOMATIC EXPERIENCING (SE) is a potent mind-body method for resolving trauma symptoms and relieving chronic stress. It is the life’s work of Dr. Peter A. Levine.  Rather than focusing on the psychological effects  (top down) of past or current trauma, SE uses the approach of focusing on the physiological (bottom up) effects. SE incorporates techniques to help regulate the Autonomic Nervous System which in-essence is stuck in "fight, flight, collapse/freeze."  SE offers a variety of benefits. It reframes and transforms current or past negative experiences, infuses a greater sense of oneself, confidence, resilience and hope. It reduces discomfort, strain and stress while developing a heightened ability to concentrate. 

All relationships experience cycles of harmony, disharmony, and repair. Relationship issues arise if either partner is not aware of how to properly repair the damage associated with disharmony. Relational life therapy was developed to address relationship concerns, but it may also be used to address family of origin issues and individual relationship conflicts. Therapists who practice this approach work to encourage people to develop assertiveness and the skills that may be necessary to achieve intimacy, passion, and unity. 

Your mind is the most powerful tool. Positive Psychology empowers the client with the skills to achieve a sense of inner balance by relying on all of the resources he or she possesses. Through body, spirit, mind, and emotion the client is taught various forms of psychotherapeutic techniques to aid the client in becoming his or her own therapist for his or her particular circumstances.

Polyvagal Theory describes a group of ideas related to the role of the vagus nerve in human psychology. According to this theory, the vagus nerve serves an important role in emotional regulation, social behavior, and fear response. Stephen Porges, director of the Brain-Body Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago, first introduced Polyvagal Theory in 1994.