Therapeutic Modalities
At the Center our Clinicians use a variety of therapeutic modalities to best meet our clients' specific needs. We recognize that clinical terms and jargon can be a lot of information to digest. This page is intended to serve as an informative page, allowing you to read and process the different modalities at your pace and convenience.
EMDR
EMDR is a psychotherapy technique designed to relieve the distress associated with disturbing memories. Short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, it involves recalling a specific troublesome experience while following a side-to-side visual stimulus delivered by the therapist. The resulting lateral eye movements are thought to help reduce the emotional charge of the memory so that the experience can be safely discussed, digested, and stripped of the power to trigger anxiety and avoidance. Check out these further explanations of what EMDR is here and here.
Internal Family Systems
IFS is an approach to psychotherapy that identifies and addresses multiple sub-personalities or families within each person’s mental system. These sub-personalities consist of wounded parts and painful emotions such as anger and shame, and parts that try to control and protect the person from the pain of the wounded parts. The sub-personalities are often in conflict with each other and with one’s core Self, a concept that describes the confident, compassionate, whole person that is at the core of every individual. IFS focuses on healing the wounded parts and restoring mental balance and harmony by changing the dynamics that create discord among the sub-personalities and the Self. Check out these further explanations of what IFS is here and here.
Child/Play Therapy
Play therapy takes place in a comfortable playroom where few rules are imposed on a child, allowing the child free and spontaneous expression of feelings. The therapist, schooled in child psychology, usually has an array of toys that children can use to act out their feelings. In addition, the therapist may ask children questions about the toys they’re using that reveal hidden worries and concerns. Check out these further explanations of what Play Therapy is here and here.
Cognitive Behavioral Theory
CBT is a short-term form of psychotherapy based on the idea that the way someone thinks and feels affects the way he or she behaves. Cognitive Behavioral Theory aims to help clients resolve present-day challenges like depression or anxiety, relationship problems, anger issues, stress, or other common concerns that negatively affect mental health and quality of life. The goal of treatment is to help clients identify, challenge, and change maladaptive thought patterns in order to change their responses to difficult situations. Check out these further explanations of what CBT is here and here.
Theraplay
Theraplay is an approach to child and family therapy that aims to address behavioral, emotional, or developmental issues and improve the parent-child relationship through play and healthy interaction. Typically, this approach is used in treatment with children up to age 12. However, Theraplay techniques may be combined with other modalities and can be adapted for use with teenagers and adults seeking therapy for these same concerns. Check out these further explanations of what CBT is here and here.
Integrative Attachment and Trauma Protocol
In the Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol, EMDR and family therapy are integrated through specific steps. The family therapy provides the foundational work, increasing sensitivity in parents and improving children's emotional skills. The EMDR Therapy directly treats traumatic memories and triggers. Check out these further explanations of what IATP is here and here.