Approaches to Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an empirically based therapeutic approach that uses mindfulness strategies to increase psychological flexibility. One aspiration we hold for each of us is to experience more confident and conscious choice in each moment. ACT emphasizes helping you to identify your core values and goals and working together to align your behaviors with those values and goals.
Our implementation of ACT is informed by extensive study and practice of Buddhist wisdom traditions as well as principles from humanistic, gestalt, and psychodynamic psychology. We bring a sophisticated understanding of the functioning of the mind in both sanity and confusion. From a place of openness and non-judgment, we use a precise awareness of the present moment to work with you through obstacles to flourishing.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of healing that focuses on the interaction between your behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. By developing a greater understanding and awareness of the connection between these mental and behavioral aspects, individuals can learn to alter their psychological well-being and better adapt to their environments.
CBT has been empirically validated as a successful treatment for depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, ADHD, eating disorders, and other significant issues. This form of therapy tends to feel more structured in session and involves the client being active and practicing CBT techniques between sessions with the therapist.
Cognitive Processing Therapy is an adaptation of standard cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)practices and has been shown to be successful in helping people cope with some of the worst traumas that humans can be faced with. Issues stemming from sexual and personal violence, traumatic accidents, PTSD, distress caused by military service and more can all be helped through this method.
Coherence therapy is not an approach that seeks to diagnose you with one condition or another. It is a method that can help you navigate the resolution of tough situations you might face in life. It has been used successfully to relieve participants of a variety of psychological struggles, including anxiety, depression, feelings of under-achievement, relationship troubles, difficult life transitions, and even phobias.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is widely recognized as an effective form of treatment for anxiety and trauma-related issues. The focus of EMDR is to deal with difficult experiences from the past, the current situations that trigger them and the positive experiences necessary to adapt to future change.
Gestalt therapy is a form of humanistic and existential psychology initially created in the 1940s. This form of therapy can support individuals experiencing symptoms from depression, anxiety, relationship issues (friends, family, and romantic), attention problems, chronic pain, and many others.
A central aspect of this therapy technique is the belief that people are constantly striving to achieve some form of balance, or homeostasis, through their behaviors. These actions can include seeking rewards or diminishing suffering. Many of us are not even aware of what our bodies and minds are focused on and discover ourselves trapped in a pattern of thoughts, behaviors, and emotions that cause pain and difficulty.
In this approach to therapy, we work together to investigate your present moment experience. Awareness is just like a muscle that can be built through exercise. Mindfulness-based psychotherapy involves bringing attention to what is happening right now – thoughts, feelings, physical sensations – with an attitude of friendliness rather than judgment.
When our habitual reactions are held in our awareness with an attitude of loving-kindness, we begin to have more choice about whether we want to continue engaging in these patterns of emotion and behavior. As this happens, a sense of confidence, freedom and joy begins to emerge.
Telehealth therapy is online video-based counseling with a trained psychotherapist over your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
The Metis Center has been providing telehealth therapy and counseling since 2016. Our staff are trained in online counseling, and can provide a full range of counseling services as well as many clinical assessments online.