Therapeutic Techniques

Brainspotting

Developed from Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting is a powerful therapeutic approach that utilizes the visual field to access and process areas of the brain where trauma may be held or blocked. It targets the emotional brain, or the subcortical structure, and skips the part of the brain (prefrontal cortex) that creates logical engagement, primarily used in talk therapy. Therefore, brainspotting can be more time efficient in addressing trauma compared to traditional talk therapy; even one session can bring powerful results.

Brainspotting is considered a “bottom-up” therapy approach, which emphasizes connecting with bodily sensations, emotions, and physical experiences to promote healing, intuition, and self-awareness. By working from this somatic approach, you can address deep-rooted issues and build resilience from a solid foundation of embodied understanding. I am an avid advocate for brainspotting and became trained in it after experiencing its transformative power myself as a client. Although a relatively new therapy, I have witnessed great breakthroughs working with Brainspotting, with minimal risks or costs associated.

Ecotherapy

Ecotherapy is the idea of partnering with nature and aspects of the non human world as a tool for healing and self soothing. In practice this may look like prescribing mindful walks in nature, the creation of simple rituals outdoors, or creating altars or spaces to return to for grounding and calm reflection.

Ecotherapy can be particularly helpful in calming the nervous system and providing us with a renewed sense of hope for those who may find it difficult to disconnect from technology or a seemingly constant stream of negative news.

Additionally, ecotherapy supports those experiencing eco grief, climate anxiety, or a sense of dread about environmental collapse, and can be healing to those affected by climate related disasters or displacement.

Narrative Therapy

Narrative therapy focuses on the power of language and invites us to notice how the stories we tell and the words we choose can dictate how we feel and shape our understanding of ourselves. It allows us to detach ourselves from the problem and look at it from a different context. For example, instead of saying “I’m anxious”, we could reframe this into, “I am temporarily experiencing anxiety as a normal and healthy reaction to an abnormal situation.”

Solution Focused Brief Therapy

I find that many clients come to therapy with a very specific goal and are searching for somebody who can keep them accountable in a clear and compassionate way. The therapeutic map for these sessions is structured uniquely, according to the goal of every client and takes into consideration their natural strengths and past examples of resilience or effective coping.