Modalities
Therapeutic Orientations & My Integrative Approach
Choosing a therapist often means navigating a lot of unfamiliar terms and approaches. This page is here to gently explain the therapeutic orientations that influence my work, so you can get a sense of what therapy with me might feel like.
I take an integrative, client-centered approach—meaning I draw from multiple evidence-based modalities and tailor therapy to your unique needs, goals, and pace. Below is an overview of the approaches I use and value.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a practical, structured approach that looks at the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we explore patterns that may be keeping you stuck—like negative self-talk, avoidance, or unhelpful habits—and build more supportive ways of thinking and responding.
CBT often includes concrete tools and skills you can use in daily life, and can be especially helpful for anxiety, depression, and stress.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT is a skills-based approach that helps with intense emotions, relationship challenges, and feeling overwhelmed or out of control. It focuses on four key skill areas: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
DBT blends acceptance and change—helping you feel understood while also building practical tools to create meaningful change.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness-based therapy helps you develop a present-moment, non-judgmental awareness of your thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. This can include guided mindfulness practices, grounding exercises, breathwork, and self-compassion techniques.
Mindfulness can reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and deepen your connection to yourself and others.
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
YoMotivational Interviewing is a collaborative, non-judgmental approach that helps you explore ambivalence and strengthen your motivation for change. Rather than telling you what to do, MI honors your autonomy and helps you clarify what matters most to you.
This approach is especially helpful for behavior change, addiction recovery, and strengthening commitment to personal goals.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT (pronounced like the word “act”) is a mindfulness-based approach that focuses on helping you live in alignment with your values, even when difficult thoughts or emotions are present.
Instead of trying to get rid of uncomfortable feelings, ACT helps you change your relationship to them—building flexibility, compassion, and a sense of meaning in your life.
Attachment-Based Therapy
Attachment-based therapy explores how early relationships shaped the way you relate to others and yourself. Patterns like fear of abandonment, difficulty trusting, or people-pleasing often make sense in the context of past experiences.
In therapy, the relationship itself becomes a safe space to explore these patterns and build new experiences of security, connection, and emotional safety.
Trauma-Informed & Trauma-Focused Therapy
A trauma-informed approach means that safety, choice, collaboration, and empowerment are central to therapy. Trauma-focused therapy includes methods specifically designed to help process and integrate traumatic experiences in a way that reduces their emotional intensity and impact on your present life.
We move at your pace, prioritizing stabilization, grounding, and resilience before exploring deeper material.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
IFS is a gentle, non-pathologizing approach that views the mind as made up of different “parts” (like protective parts, wounded parts, and a core Self). Rather than trying to get rid of parts of you, IFS helps you build a compassionate relationship with them.
This approach can be deeply healing for trauma, shame, inner conflict, and self-criticism, and often fosters a strong sense of self-compassion and inner harmony.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy views your life as a story—and you as the author. Rather than seeing problems as who you are, this approach separates you from the problem and helps you explore alternative, more empowering stories about your identity and experiences.
It can be especially helpful for identity work, trauma, life transitions, and reclaiming agency and meaning.
Existential Therapy
Existential therapy focuses on themes like meaning, purpose, freedom, responsibility, and identity. It invites deeper reflection on what it means to live an authentic life and how to navigate uncertainty, loss, and major life questions.
This approach can be powerful for people exploring spirituality, life transitions, grief, or questions about purpose and identity.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR is a research-supported trauma therapy that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories so they feel less overwhelming and intrusive. Through guided bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping), EMDR helps integrate traumatic experiences in a more adaptive way.
Many people find EMDR helpful for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and deeply rooted negative beliefs about themselves.