Theoretical Models
Here are some of the "schools of thought" from which I borrow perspectives and
methods, in order of how much they influence me:
Interpersonal Neurobiology
This theory presents an integrated view of how the brain gives rise to the “mind”
and how brain development, and therefore human development, gets directly
shaped by our experiences with others during childhood and beyond. It pulls
ideas from several scientific disciplines, including brain science and the study of
how humans develop psychologically.
Client-centered Therapy
This approach assumes that you take responsibility for yourself, and the
therapist is willing for you to keep that responsibility. The therapist creates a
warm, non-judgmental atmosphere in which you are free to express any
attitudes and feelings you may have, no matter how unconventional, absurd, or
contradictory they might seem. You are free to withhold things too. The
therapist attempts to provide you with an experience of respect and empathic
understanding. These elements tend to be quite therapeutic all by themselves.
Experiential Therapy
This approach focuses on your actual experience in the "here and now." Quite
often, what you do in a therapy session represents a sample of what you do in
the outside world. The therapist helps you become more aware of your own
thoughts, feelings, behaviors, mental images, and physical sensations, right
there in the moment. Once you become aware of these things and come to
acknowledge them as part of yourself, you can choose whether or not to make
changes. Separate schools within this heading include: Gestalt Therapy,
Focusing, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Somatic Experiencing.
Existential/Humanistic Therapy
This approach is called "Existential" because it views therapy as a life-changing
experience that focuses on the facts and experiences of human existence. It is
called "Humanistic" because it focuses on helping you realize your human
potential. It is centered on your being alive in the present moment, seeks to
heighten your conscious awareness of that experience, and uses your
awareness to bring you a richer and more meaningful life.
Mind/Body Therapy
This approach views the mind as an experience that emanates from the brain
and is well integrated with the body. It views mental processes from the level of
bodily processes, providing a holistic approach to therapy including not just
information stored in the mind, but in the body too. You gain a much greater
awareness of your body and your physical sensations and what they mean.
Note: The way that I use this approach does not include any touching.
EMDR
This approach views your mind as an information processing system. It
facilitates the adaptive processing of memories of negative life experiences that
might result in post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, addictions, or
phobias. You focus on a specific “target” memory while simultaneously paying
attention to some action provided by the therapist, such as side-to-side
movement of the therapist’s fingers. This causes you to relax, make use of both
sides of your brain, and integrate past memories with present moment
experiences. It results in less sensitivity to the target memory and an ability to
make better sense of the original experience. Here is how I use EMDR in
therapy.
Psychodynamic
This approach places emphasis on understanding how your past plays a role in
your present and maintains that bringing the unconscious into conscious
awareness promotes insight and resolves conflicts. It evolved from Freudian
psychoanalysis in which the therapist interprets the patient's words and
behaviors. Separate schools within this heading include: Ego Psychology, Self
Psychology, and Object-Relations Therapy.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This approach emphasizes the role of your thoughts and beliefs in how you feel
and what you do. CBT stresses the fact that thoughts, rather than people or
events, cause our negative feelings. CBT is a structured collaboration between
you and the therapist and often involves homework assignments. Separate
schools within this heading include: Cognitive Therapy, Rational Emotive
Behavioral Therapy, and Behavioral Therapy.
Here are some of the "schools of thought" from which I borrow perspectives and
methods, in order of how much they influence me:
Interpersonal Neurobiology
This theory presents an integrated view of how the brain gives rise to the “mind”
and how brain development, and therefore human development, gets directly
shaped by our experiences with others during childhood and beyond. It pulls
ideas from several scientific disciplines, including brain science and the study of
how humans develop psychologically.
Client-centered Therapy
This approach assumes that you take responsibility for yourself, and the
therapist is willing for you to keep that responsibility. The therapist creates a
warm, non-judgmental atmosphere in which you are free to express any
attitudes and feelings you may have, no matter how unconventional, absurd, or
contradictory they might seem. You are free to withhold things too. The
therapist attempts to provide you with an experience of respect and empathic
understanding. These elements tend to be quite therapeutic all by themselves.
Experiential Therapy
This approach focuses on your actual experience in the "here and now." Quite
often, what you do in a therapy session represents a sample of what you do in
the outside world. The therapist helps you become more aware of your own
thoughts, feelings, behaviors, mental images, and physical sensations, right
there in the moment. Once you become aware of these things and come to
acknowledge them as part of yourself, you can choose whether or not to make
changes. Separate schools within this heading include: Gestalt Therapy,
Focusing, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Somatic Experiencing.
Existential/Humanistic Therapy
This approach is called "Existential" because it views therapy as a life-changing
experience that focuses on the facts and experiences of human existence. It is
called "Humanistic" because it focuses on helping you realize your human
potential. It is centered on your being alive in the present moment, seeks to
heighten your conscious awareness of that experience, and uses your
awareness to bring you a richer and more meaningful life.
Mind/Body Therapy
This approach views the mind as an experience that emanates from the brain
and is well integrated with the body. It views mental processes from the level of
bodily processes, providing a holistic approach to therapy including not just
information stored in the mind, but in the body too. You gain a much greater
awareness of your body and your physical sensations and what they mean.
Note: The way that I use this approach does not include any touching.
EMDR
This approach views your mind as an information processing system. It
facilitates the adaptive processing of memories of negative life experiences that
might result in post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, addictions, or
phobias. You focus on a specific “target” memory while simultaneously paying
attention to some action provided by the therapist, such as side-to-side
movement of the therapist’s fingers. This causes you to relax, make use of both
sides of your brain, and integrate past memories with present moment
experiences. It results in less sensitivity to the target memory and an ability to
make better sense of the original experience. Here is how I use EMDR in
therapy.
Psychodynamic
This approach places emphasis on understanding how your past plays a role in
your present and maintains that bringing the unconscious into conscious
awareness promotes insight and resolves conflicts. It evolved from Freudian
psychoanalysis in which the therapist interprets the patient's words and
behaviors. Separate schools within this heading include: Ego Psychology, Self
Psychology, and Object-Relations Therapy.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This approach emphasizes the role of your thoughts and beliefs in how you feel
and what you do. CBT stresses the fact that thoughts, rather than people or
events, cause our negative feelings. CBT is a structured collaboration between
you and the therapist and often involves homework assignments. Separate
schools within this heading include: Cognitive Therapy, Rational Emotive
Behavioral Therapy, and Behavioral Therapy.
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d a n m e t e v i e r, p s y.d.
c l i n i c a l p s y c h o l o g i s t
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