My Counseling Approach
Depending on why you are coming to counseling, I will utilize one of the following therapies, or a combination of therapies, to guide our work together. Each section has a link to a webpage with more in-depth information about the therapy. It is beneficial to understand what your therapist practices to ensure it aligns with your beliefs about change and what you want to achieve through counseling. Some of these are structured, while others are more flexible and involve talk therapy. At the heart of it, you know what will work for you, and I am here to support you through unconditional acceptance, non-judgment, and honoring your autonomy.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Enhanced (CBT-E)- This is an evidence-based, structured treatment that is designed to help those with eating disorders (EDs) and disordered eating. Therapy typically lasts 20 weeks, but can extend up to 40 weeks if weight restoration is necessary. The first four weeks consist of two sessions per week to establish regular eating habits and reduce harmful behaviors. Then we move to weekly appointments for the next 12 weeks, where we continue with regular eating and add in body image and other co-occurring issues. The final four sessions are spaced every two weeks, followed by a final check one month later.
Family Based Therapy (FBT)- This therapy incorporates family sessions for 12-16 weeks, with time for other issues (ex: anxiety, depression, self-harm) once regular eating is established.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) - This is an evidence-based psychotherapy that enables individuals to recover by accessing and healing their protective and wounded inner parts. Together, we guide you in discovering your "parts" and accessing your inner Self. IFS is a non-pathologizing way of understanding personal and intimate relationships and stepping into life with the 8 Cs: confidence, calm, compassion, courage, creativity, clarity, curiosity, and connectedness. There is no set number of sessions, and it can be used in combination with CBT-E and other therapies.
Relational-Cultural Therapy- This therapy brings into the forefront the client’s past and current relationships, race, gender, socioeconomic class, sexuality, and other intersectional identities. A primary goal of RT is for clients to leave their therapy sessions feeling connected, understood, and empowered rather than empty, vulnerable, and exposed. Being culturally competent and curious is at the core of my being a counselor.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)- Trauma and complex trauma are often associated with EDs. In my work, I lean on CPT as a guiding evidence-based treatment. CPT does not require you to relive your trauma or go into deep details about what happened. Instead, we examine your "stuck points" and explore how to address your thoughts and feelings to move through the traumatic events, rather than avoiding and becoming stuck.