Our Approach

Integrative, Holistic, Whole-person

Our approach to therapy is integrative, trauma-informed, and grounded in both psychological science and nervous system understanding.

We draw from a range of evidence-based modalities: EMDR, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). We will assess where you are and work collaboratively with you to tailor treatment to your unique needs, history, and goals. Sometimes the work involves building new skills. Other times, it’s not about knowing what to do, but addressing what gets in the way of being able to do it.

Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Integrating somatic and attachment frameworks

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

EMDR is a structured psychotherapy designed to help people process and heal from traumatic or distressing experiences. EMDR focuses on healing the root of distress, not just managing symptoms.

At its core, EMDR is based on the idea that:

  • Trauma or a distressing memory can get “stuck” in the brain in an unprocessed form

  • These memories continue to trigger distress, and our nervous system can react as if the event is still happening. This trigger and reaction can be the root of anxiety, fear, self-doubt, and other symptoms.

  • Throughout the EMDR process, the brain can reprocess these memories so they become less emotionally intense, and the memories feel like a past event rather than a present threat.

During the process:

  • EMDR process can help you develop a new and desired belief. The process can help increase resilience and emotional regulation.

  • EMDR process doesn’t require talking in detail about trauma for long periods or reliving the trauma

  • EMDR helps you not just understand the “why” but also change how the memory feels. The goal is not to erase the past, but for those memories to no longer hold you back.

  • Many people also find that EMDR can work relatively efficiently, with some clients experiencing meaningful change in as few as 6–12 sessions. However, the number of sessions varies depending on the individual and the complexity of the trauma history.

EMDR in our practice integrates both somatic therapy and attachment-focused work:

  • Somatic focus: Attention is given to how experiences are held in the body, including physical sensations, tension, and nervous system responses. This supports regulation and helps the body release stored stress.

  • Attachment focus: We explore how early relationships and relational experiences shape current patterns, including beliefs about safety, trust, and self-worth. EMDR can help shift these patterns toward greater security and stability.

This integrative approach allows for deeper, more comprehensive healing.

Research consistently shows that EMDR significantly reduces trauma, anxiety, and depression

A large review of 26 clinical trials found that people who received EMDR had:

  • Clear reductions in PTSD symptoms

  • Noticeable improvement in depression

  • Noticeable improvement in anxiety

  • Even larger improvements in overall emotional distress

Source:
Chen, Y. R., et al. (2014). EMDR significantly reduces PTSD symptoms and shows improvements in anxiety and depression outcomes compared to control conditions in a meta-analysis of randomized trials. PLOS ONE.

EFT is a structured and deeply experiential therapy. Sessions often focus on present-moment emotional experiences rather than just discussion or analysis. EFT helps individuals and couples understand, process, and transform emotional patterns that impact relationships and well-being.

At its core, EFT focuses on:

  • Transform emotional patterns so that individuals feel more secure, understood, and connected, both within themselves and in their relationships.

  • Identify the negative emotional cycles that keep people stuck, and understand the deeper needs underneath.

  • Help you access and express underlying emotions in a way that creates new emotional experiences, which often leads to greater trust, responsiveness, and closeness in relationships.

During the process, clients often experience:

  • Greater emotional awareness and regulation

  • Reduced conflict or emotional reactivity

  • Increased ability to express needs clearly and safely

  • Stronger emotional connection and trust in relationships

  • A shift from disconnection toward secure bonding

Research shows that, for participants who receive EFT:

  • Couples showed meaningful improvements in relationship satisfaction after treatment

  • About 70% of couples were no longer distressed by the end of therapy

  • Gains were maintained at follow-up (up to 2 years in some studies)

  • EFT outperformed waitlist and showed advantages over some alternative couple interventions

Source:
Spengler, P. M., Lee, N. A., Wiebe, S. A., & Wittenborn, A. K. (2022). A comprehensive meta-analysis on the efficacy of emotionally focused couple therapy. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 11(4), 246–263.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

DBT is an intensive, evidence-based psychotherapy method that combines cognitive-behavioral techniques and mindfulness (being in the present) to help people regulate intense emotions, reduce impulsive or self-destructive behaviors, and improve their relationships.

At its core, DBT teaches the philosophy of “dialectics” - two opposing thoughts can be true at the same time. My favorite one is that “self-acceptance” and “change” can happen at the same time.

  • Strengthen emotional regulation

  • Reduced impulsive or self-destructive behaviors

  • Improved ability to cope with stress and crisis

  • Stronger communication and healthier boundaries in relationships

  • Increased self-awareness and sense of control over your emotions, behaviors, and thoughts

During the process of DBT, there are 4 core skills to learn:

  • Mindfulness

  • Distress Tolerance

  • Emotion Regulation

  • Interpersonal Effectiveness

Rather than focusing only on insight, DBT emphasizes skill-building and real-life application. You don’t just talk about problems, you will learn how to respond differently in real-life situations.

Research shows that, for participants who receive DBT:

  • Participants showed significant reductions in self-harm and suicidal behaviors after DBT. DBT was also associated with improvements in psychological functioning and BPD symptoms. (Linehan et al., 2006)

  • DBT was associated with improvements in emotional regulation and overall psychological functioning, while adults receiving DBT-based treatment for ADHD showed reductions in core ADHD symptoms. (Halmøy et al., 2022)

  • Many participants experienced reductions in borderline personality disorder symptoms and depressive symptoms. (Linehan et al., 2006)

Source:
Linehan, M. M., Comtois, K. A., Murray, A. M., et al. (2006). Two-year randomized controlled trial and follow-up of dialectical behavior therapy vs therapy by experts for suicidal behaviors and borderline personality disorder. Archives of General Psychiatry, 63(7), 757–766.

Halmøy, A., Ring, A. E., Gjestad, R., et al. (2022). Dialectical behavioral therapy-based group treatment versus treatment as usual for adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A multicenter randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry, 22, 738

Rather than using a single method for every client, we combine our approaches and work flexibly. We support healing not only at the cognitive level, but also at the emotional, relational, and physiological levels.

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