Approaches to Therapy
Art Therapy
If you find it difficult to express your emotions, Art Therapy is an excellent modality to increase your ability to access feelings that may be too difficult to express with words. In an Art Psychotherapy session, I will also use Talk Therapy. The difference is that Art Therapy offers the additional feature of visual, motor and sensory expressions found in the art making experience.
The Canadian Art Therapy Association (n.d.) has defined art therapy as an approach that “combines the creative process and psychotherapy, facilitating self-exploration and understanding. Using imagery, colour and shape as part of this creative process, thoughts and feelings can be expressed that would otherwise be difficult to articulate” (para. 2).
What is art therapy? https://www.canadianarttherapy.org/what-is-art-therapy/
Talk Therapy
Psychotherapy, also known as Talk Therapy, supports a person in understanding their feelings and behaviours in order to make the desired changes. The therapy process begins by identifying and setting goals. The therapist supports the client in understanding how behaviours, attitudes and believes may be negatively impacting their life.
Some people attend talk therapy with short term goals in order to address an immediate problem, while for others, therapy may be a longer-term process. Whatever you choose, the effectiveness of the therapy relies on the strength of the relationship between you and myself as therapist.
I am a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
Main Therapeutic Approaches
I work primarily from a strength-based, person-centered, narrative, trauma-informed lens. In my experience however, a one-size fits all approach cannot meet the unique needs of each individual. In consultation with my client, I may suggest that we draw from other types of therapy. This is often referred to as an eclectic or integrative approach. Other therapies that may be integrated are, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness Based Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Attachment Based Therapy and Group Therapy.
Person-centred Approach
First and foremost, in a person-centered approach, it is essential to create a sense of safety. A person-centered approach places the values of empathy, honesty, congruency, and caring at the centre of the therapist’s role. A person-centered therapist accepts the client exactly as they are. This lack of judgment is a quality known as “unconditional positive regard.”
Narrative Approach
Narrative therapy sees individuals as the experts of their own lives. In a narrative therapy approach, problems are viewed as separate from the individual and assumes that people have the internal abilities to create an alternative story. The narrative therapist will support the client in recognizing their strengths and existing skills in order to reduce the impact of the problems for which they are seeking therapy.
Trauma-Informed Approach
A trauma-informed therapist recognizes and acknowledges the potential impact of trauma on each of their clients. A trauma-informed therapist understands that the impact of trauma is complex and unique to the individual and that responses to trauma are adaptive. Being trauma-informed, means that the therapist integrates the knowledge/impact of trauma in all aspects of the therapeutic process. This approach requires listening in a way that recognizes and respects a person’s resiliency and inner strength.