Therapy with Stacey

There are many different reasons that my clients decide to begin therapy. For some, they are coming back to therapy after years of doing well. For others, this might be the first time they have ever called a mental health professional. Either way, you have taken the first step on a new path!

I work with people who are experiencing things like:

 (click on each to learn more) 

• Family conflict. Difficult relationships with family or origin, extended family, or partner’s family
• Relationship issues, fighting with your partner, separation and divorce*
• Emotional struggles related to trauma (Learn more about Big T and little t trauma)
• Healing from spiritual abuse, religious trauma and deconstructing religious upbringing
• Anxiety, stress, and difficulty managing life

* I work with individuals who are coping with relationship issues but do not see couples. I can refer you to a couple’s counselor if you are looking for sessions with your partner.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Internal Family Systems, also known as IFS, is a type of therapy based on the idea that we are made up of different parts. Sometimes those parts work against you and IFS helps to integrate the parts so that they can begin to work together. At some point in your life you have probably said something like: “A part of me feels like…” or “a part of me wants to…” and that is the basis of parts work.

Dr. Richard Schwartz, the creator of IFS described it as: “In IFS, the mind is considered to be naturally made up of multiple sub-personalities or families within each individual’s mental system. These sub-personalities take on different roles, such as an inner critic or inner child, and consist of wounded parts and painful feelings like anger and shame.

IFS is a relatively new therapy compared to some that you might be more familiar with but it is evidence-based. The National Registry of Evidence-Based Practices and Programs recognized IFS as evidence based in 2015. It also found that IFS is effective for clients experiencing anxiety, depression, issues with self-concept, and physical health conditions.

IFS is often used in collaboration with EMDR therapy. See below for more about EMDR.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) was developed in 1980 by Dr. Marsha Linehan. Initially DBT was created to more effectively treat Borderline Personality Disorder but since its inception it has been clinically proven to treat depression, drug and alcohol problems, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has shown to be effective with traumatic brain injuries, binge-eating disorder, survivors of sexual abuse, and other mood disorders! It also successfully treats specific symptoms and behaviors associated with spectrum mood disorders, including self-injury. [Citations 6-13] DBT is essentially a fusion of traditional Cognitive Behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and skill building. DBT focuses on building and strengthening emotional regulation skills, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.

What is the difference between “emotional sensitivity” “highly sensitive person” and “Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?”

These terms are often used interchangeably and can overlap. I have met and worked with people who are highly sensitive or have extreme emotions but who do not meet the criteria for BPD. Some people who have been diagnosed as having BPD actually have Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD.)

Whether you are someone that has intense emotions, is extremely sensitive, or has difficulty controlling your emotions, DBT can make your daily life much easier.

DBT “Lite”

Please note that I offer what I refer to as DBT “lite.” DBT as Dr. Linehan developed it has 3 parts – individual therapy, skill building groups, and phone coaching. Currently, I am not able to offer groups or phone coaching. Please contact me for more information about where you can find complete DBT treatment.