Below are the therapeutic modalities used by the clinicians associated with Positive Growth. These are evidenced-based treatment theories used to assist client with identifying, developing, and reaching mental health goals. Your clinician is trained in several different approaches and will help you to understand them and how they will be used during your sessions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most common used methods of treatment in the behavioral health field. This modality is proven to be effective with clients who experience a wide range of diagnosis, to include depression, anxiety, mood disorder, substance abuse, self-esteem, severe mental illnesses, and others. CBT is used by accurately understanding our thoughts in order to purposefully change our reactions and behaviors. Our internal thoughts are viewed as mechanisms for change.
Core Principles:
- Faulty, unhelpful, and unhealthy ways of thinking lead to psychological problems.
- Psychological problems are based, to some extent, on learned patterns of unhelpful behavior and actions.
- Specific ways of coping can be identified in order to lead a more effective and healthy life.
- With a deeper understanding of personal cognition and its relationship to behavior, people can change their lives through changing the way they think.
- Increasing mindfulness of conscious thoughts and interrupting automatic negative thoughts can lead people into a healthier outlook.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that was originally developed to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, it has since been adapted to address various other mental health conditions characterized by emotional dysregulation, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse.
DBT is based on the dialectical philosophy, which emphasizes finding a balance between acceptance and change. In therapy, this translates to helping individuals accept their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors while also working to change those that are harmful or problematic.
The key components of DBT include:
1. Mindfulness: Practicing present-moment awareness without judgment, which helps individuals observe and accept their experiences.
2. Distress Tolerance: Learning coping strategies to tolerate distressing situations without resorting to harmful behaviors.
3. Emotion Regulation: Developing skills to identify, understand, and manage intense emotions in healthy ways.
4. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Improving communication and relationship skills to navigate interpersonal conflicts and maintain healthy boundaries.
DBT typically involves both individual therapy sessions and skills training groups. Therapists help clients identify and challenge maladaptive patterns of thinking and behavior while providing validation and support. Skills training groups teach practical techniques for managing emotions, improving relationships, and coping with stress.
Overall, DBT aims to empower individuals to build a life worth living by fostering emotional resilience, improving interpersonal functioning, and enhancing overall well-being.
Positive Psychology
Positive Psychology is a therapeutic approach focused on enhancing well-being and promoting the strengths and virtues that enable individuals to thrive. Unlike traditional psychotherapy, which often focuses on alleviating symptoms of mental illness, Positive Psychology aims to cultivate positive emotions, character strengths, and meaningful experiences to improve overall life satisfaction and resilience.
Key principles of Positive Psychology include:
1. Focus on Strengths: Positive Psychology emphasizes identifying and leveraging individual strengths and talents to foster personal growth and resilience.
2. Cultivation of Positive Emotions: Therapeutic interventions in Positive Psychology aim to increase positive emotions such as joy, gratitude, and contentment, which have been linked to better mental and physical health outcomes.
3. Pursuit of Meaning and Purpose: Positive Psychology encourages individuals to explore and pursue activities and goals that align with their values and contribute to a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life.
4. Building Positive Relationships: Healthy and supportive relationships are emphasized in Positive Psychology as a cornerstone of well-being, with interventions designed to improve communication, empathy, and connection with others.
Therapeutic techniques used in Positive Psychology may include gratitude exercises, mindfulness practices, strengths assessments, goal setting, and interventions to enhance optimism and resilience.
Overall, Positive Psychology offers a holistic approach to mental health that focuses on enhancing positive aspects of human experience to promote flourishing and resilience. It complements traditional therapy approaches by shifting the focus from pathology to strengths and well-being.