Therapeutic Approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that combines acceptance and mindfulness strategies with commitment and behavior change strategies. It's rooted in the belief that suffering is caused by the attempt to control or avoid unpleasant experiences, and that true psychological health is achieved by embracing life's difficulties and committing to actions that are consistent with one's values. ACT is an effective approach for anxiety and depression, stress, relationship concerns, trauma, substance use concerns, life purpose, and general self growth.

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Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)

Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) is used to retrain the brain when a person is experiencing chronic pain and other health conditions that are neuroplastic or have elements that are neuroplastic. Examples include but are not limited to back pain, foot pain, migraines, Fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, Long Covid, IBS. PRT uses education, gathering evidence, attending to and appraising pain or symptoms through a lens of safety, addressing contributing emotional threat, and moving towards positive feelings and sensations.  PRT typically involves a structured approach that includes techniques such as guided imagery, relaxation exercises, cognitive restructuring, and somatic experiencing. It may also incorporate elements of exposure therapy, where individuals gradually confront and process distressing memories or situations under the guidance of a therapist.  PRT can be used in conjunction with trauma processing therapies such as Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy.

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Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET)

Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) is a form of psychological therapy that targets the trauma, stress, and relationship problems that are found in many people with chronic pain, especially "centralized" (central sensitization, central augmentation) pain. EAET views centralized pain as potentially reversible if the person makes powerful changes in their emotions and relationships. EAET involves four components.  Education about the role of stress and emotions in their pain, talking and/or writing about traumas and/or psychological conflicts in their lives that appear to drive their pain, support around expressing emotions they have been avoiding or blocking related to trauma or stressors and learning skills to communicate more effectively, express emotions in a healthy way, set boundaries, and practice self-compassion. 

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Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy that has been effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD that have developed after experiencing a variety of traumatic events including child abuse, combat, rape and natural disasters.

CPT is a structured therapy that includes education around PTSD and trauma, understanding thoughts and feelings, identifying and challenging thoughts, examining beliefs, skill building and in some cases gradual exposure. 

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Alongside these therapeutic approaches I also incorporate elements of Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Mindfulness, and Compassionate Inquiry, Career Construction, and Existentialism.

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If you would like to know more about how my approach may help support your concern please reach out I would be happy to schedule a 15 minute free consultation to answer your questions.