Therapy Services

What is Individual Therapy?

Individual therapy sometimes called talk therapy or counseling is a process where a client works one-on-one with a trained mental health professional in a safe, confidential, and supportive setting. The goal is to help clients explore their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and life experiences to better understand themselves and make positive changes.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), individual therapy can help people address a wide range of concerns, including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, and personal growth. Sessions are tailored to each person’s unique needs and may involve learning new coping strategies, processing past experiences, improving communication skills, or strengthening emotional resilience.

At its core, individual therapy provides a space for healing, self-discovery, and personal empowerment.

What is IFS (Internal Family Systems)?


Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an evidence-based, compassionate approach to therapy that helps people understand and heal the different “parts” of themselves. Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, IFS is based on the idea that we all have many inner parts such as the parts that protect us, the parts that carry pain, or the parts that want to achieve and grow. None of these parts are “bad”; each one has a role and an intention, even if its strategies sometimes cause distress.

At the center of IFS is the belief that every person has a core Self, a calm, wise, and compassionate inner resource that can guide healing. Therapy focuses on helping clients reconnect with their Self so they can lead their inner system with clarity, balance, and confidence.

According to the Internal Family Systems Institute, IFS has been shown to be effective for trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and personal growth. It offers a gentle, respectful way to explore the mind, reduce inner conflict, and create lasting change.

What is CBT (Cognitive

Behavioral Therapy)?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a widely used, evidence-based form of talk therapy that focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The idea behind CBT is that our thoughts shape how we feel and act and by identifying and changing unhelpful thinking patterns, we can improve emotional well-being and make healthier choices.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), CBT has been shown to be effective for many concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, and relationship challenges.

In CBT, you and your therapist work together to:

  • Identify negative or unhelpful thought patterns

  • Learn practical skills to challenge and reframe those thoughts

  • Practice new behaviors that support your goals and well-being

CBT is typically structured, goal-oriented, and focused on empowering you with tools you can use both inside and outside of therapy.

What is Trauma-Informed Therapy?


Trauma-informed therapy is an approach to counseling that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and emphasizes safety, trust, and empowerment in the healing process. Rather than asking “What’s wrong with you?” this approach asks, “What has happened to you?”

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), trauma-informed care is guided by five key principles: safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. A trauma-informed therapist works with sensitivity to avoid re-traumatization and helps clients build skills for regulation, resilience, and healing.

This type of therapy does not focus on one specific method, but rather ensures that treatment—whether talk therapy, EMDR, IFS, or other approaches is delivered in a way that respects each client’s unique experiences and supports their recovery at a pace that feels safe.

Trauma-informed therapy creates a foundation for healing by honoring your story, building a sense of safety, and empowering you to move forward with strength and compassion.

What is Trauma?


Trauma is an emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, leaves them feeling helpless, and can impact their sense of safety, identity, and connection with others. Trauma is not defined only by the event itself, but also by how a person experiences and processes it.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), trauma can result from experiences such as accidents, natural disasters, abuse, violence, neglect, or sudden loss. These experiences can affect people emotionally, physically, and psychologically, sometimes leading to difficulties such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or challenges in relationships.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) explains that trauma often has lasting effects on a person’s well-being, including their mental health, physical health, emotions, and behavior. Healing from trauma is possible with the right support, resources, and therapeutic approaches.

What is EMDR (Eye Movement

Desensitization and Reprocessing)?


Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy designed to help people heal from trauma and other distressing life experiences. Developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR works by helping the brain reprocess painful memories so they no longer feel as overwhelming or “stuck.”

During EMDR, the therapist guides the client in recalling specific memories while using bilateral stimulation (such as side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or tapping). This process helps the brain re-organize how the memory is stored, reducing the emotional intensity attached to it.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), EMDR is an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has also been shown to help with anxiety, depression, grief, phobias, and other emotional difficulties.

EMDR does not erase memories, but it allows clients to remember past experiences with less distress, making space for healing, resilience, and a renewed sense of well-being.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity, and without judgment. It involves becoming more aware of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surroundings, rather than getting caught up in worries about the past or future.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), mindfulness can reduce stress, improve focus, and support emotional regulation. Research has shown that regular mindfulness practice can help with anxiety, depression, trauma recovery, and overall well-being.

Mindfulness can be practiced in many ways, such as through meditation, breathing exercises, or simply pausing to notice your experiences throughout the day. The goal is not to stop thoughts or feelings, but to relate to them with greater compassion and clarity.


Sources

  1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Patients and Families – American Psychological Association. Accessed August 18, 2025.

  2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Overview – Mayo Clinic. Accessed August 18, 2025.

  3. Cognitive Behavior Therapy – APA Dictionary – American Psychological Association. Accessed August 18, 2025.

  4. Trauma – APA Topics – American Psychological Association. Accessed August 18, 2025.

  5. Trauma and Violence – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Accessed August 18, 2025.

  6. What is Child Trauma? – National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN). Accessed August 18, 2025.

  7. Trauma-Informed Approach and Trauma-Specific Interventions – SAMHSA. Accessed August 18, 2025.

  8. Trauma-Informed Care Resources – NCTSN. Accessed August 18, 2025.

  9. Psychotherapy – APA Topics – American Psychological Association. Accessed August 18, 2025.

  10. Psychotherapy Overview – Mayo Clinic. Accessed August 18, 2025.

  11. Psychotherapy | NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Accessed August 18, 2025.

  12. What is Internal Family Systems? – IFS Institute. Accessed August 18, 2025.

  13. Internal Family Systems Therapy – Psychology Today. Accessed August 18, 2025.

  14. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – American Psychological Association. Accessed August 18, 2025.

  15. EMDR Therapy Overview – Mayo Clinic. Accessed August 18, 2025.

  16. Continuing Education: Trauma-Focused Therapies – American Psychological Association. Accessed August 18, 2025.

  17. Mindfulness Exercises – Mayo Clinic. Accessed August 18, 2025.