Therapy can give you skills to reboot your life. Let's review how...
Flourish is a new way to meet your needs. My patients would tell you that during our time together, my focus is on you and our work to help you feel better. It's also important that we start off on the right foot. So for our first series of sessions, you'll come in weekly but after you've laid that groundwork, you may come in less often depending on how you're doing.
During our sessions, I love to use metaphors and meditations for their ability to shake us out of old ways of thinking. I am also big fan of drawing and diagramming to help you understand your emotional life even though my drawings can sometimes be...um...lacking in artistic skill. I'll use ideas like an "internal critic" or a "wise compassionate friend" to help you understand your inner life. Listening to your inner voice can be difficult on your own. Together we'll figure out what you need to face the inevitable bumps in the road.
I'll help you build on the skills that you already have and and we'll work together to develop new emotional toolkit based in science-proven strategies. I provide therapies that are evidence-based. Evidence-based therapy means paying attention to 1. the scientific literature, 2. your experience, and 3. my experience. Together, we can find an approach that is a good fit for you.
CBT
cognitive behavioral therapy
CBT focuses on teaching you how to listen to your inner voice, to know what you are feeling, and to change the behaviors that are getting in your way or jeopardizing your relationships.
You'll learn that your thoughts, emotions and behaviors are connected, how to study your thoughts, and how to shift how you are feeling and acting.
CBT is effective in treating depression, anxiety, bulimia nervosa and binge eating.
To learn more, check out books like, Feeling Good or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple.
DBT
DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY
DBT focuses on teaching you ways to integrate your logical and emotional mind, tolerate distress, regulate your emotions, and communicate better with the people in your life.
You'll learn that you can survive letting yourself feel all the feels, you don't have to judge your emotions, and that paying close attention to your body can help in times of distress.
DBT is really helpful for eating disorders, self harm, and improving relationships.
A good intro is the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook.
FaMILY therapy
Family therapy provides new ways to talk to each other and to deepen your connection to each other. I also work with eating disorders using family-based therapy or FBT.
FBT is a specialized and very effective type of therapy that helps young people overcome their eating disorders. You'll learn that you can be close as a family without taking on responsibility for each others' feelings. You'll find new ways to become close and find sense of belonging and support.
To learn more read How to Talk so Kids will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk. For FBT, I highly recommend How to Help your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder, Eva Musby's book, and the FEAST resources and forum.
ACT
ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY
ACT is a newer therapy built on CBT. ACT focuses on teaching you how to turn down the volume on negative thoughts and find new ways to treat your self with compassion and kindness.
You'll learn more about the values that guide you in your life and how your thoughts get in the way of living a life you value.
To learn more check out The Happiness Trap and Self Compassion: the Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself. My colleague at UNC, Karen Bluth, PhD also has an awesome self-compassion workbook for teens.