My approach to therapy

My approach is rooted in dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). This approach emphasizes building skills in four main focus areas: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance skills. DBT encourages individuals to follow a "middle path" in life, helping clients to find peace and balance in a stressful and tumultuous world. With this approach, I help clients to come to a place of total acceptance of who they are while still striving to make positive changes in their lives. I am currently a consult team member at DBT Eastside in Bellevue, where I am on a team providing gold standard DBT treatment. 

In addition to offering DBT, I have also received clinical training and consultation through Harborview Medical Center to provide Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) , an evidence-based therapy for treating PTSD and trauma. This approach can be helpful for many clients trying to move past a traumatic event or an unexpected loss, and can be used as needed after an initial consultation. 

Finally, I have also received training in and like to integrate elements of strengths and solution-focused therapies, motivational interviewing, interpersonal psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and internal family systems as needed for each individual client's needs. You are unique and thus my approach will be tailored to your specific needs, wants and abilities. There is no one-size-fits-all approach here. These approaches can be used for individual, couples, or family therapy as needed.

Below are brief summaries of some of the more commonly used approaches at Lookout Counseling.

CETA

Common Elements Treatment Approach has been shown to help posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depression in individuals who have endureda traumatic experience. CETA combines a variety of approaches (including psychoeducation, relaxation, gradual exposures, problem solving, behavioral activation, and cognitive coping) that have been proven to reduce client symptoms. CETA is structured, time-limited, and can be customized to each client based on presenting symptoms.

CBT

The idea behind Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is that our thoughts and feelings play a fundamental role in our behaviors. The goal of CBT is to teach people that while they cannot control every aspect of the world around them, they can take control of how they interpret and deal with things in their environment. It helps to uncover unhealthy patterns of thought and how they may be causing self-destructive behaviors and beliefs. This approach is very helpful in treating depression, anxiety and OCD. 

Strengths-Based

Strengths-Based Therapy is an approach that helps people build on their current strengths to enhance their ability to cope in the future. This approach sees problems as opportunities for change and growth. Through therapy, clients discover previously unrecognized levels of strength and character which can then add new dimension and confidence to their lives. This approach can be helpful for those struggling with self-esteem and identity issues, as well as depression.