Individual Therapy

The Clear View Counseling Center is committed to providing quality, affordable, evidence-based individual therapy tailored to meet your unique needs.

Just as our team of expertly-trained licensed therapists are unique and differ in their approach to treatment, theoretical orientations, interventions, and demographics, we acknowledge and understand that our clients come from a wide range of backgrounds too.  What works for one person in individual therapy may not be the best fit for another.  At the Clear View Counseling Center we believe that you are the expert on you.  From start to finish, you and your therapist will work together in a collaborative process to identify and achieve your personal goals.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

What is CBT?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that is based on 3 core principles:

  1. Psychological problems are based, in part, on faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking.
  2. Psychological problems are based, in part, on learned patterns of unhelpful behavior.
  3. People suffering from psychological problems can learn better ways of coping with them, thereby relieving their symptoms and becoming more effective in their lives.

Numerous research studies suggest that CBT leads to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life. In many studies, CBT has been demonstrated to be as effective as, or more effective than, other forms of psychological therapy or psychiatric medications.

How Does It Work?

CBT therapy typically focuses on changing distorted or unhealthy thought patterns and maladaptive behaviors.  The “cognitive” part of CBT centers on learning to identify and challenge cognitive distortions and reframe unhealthy cognitive perceptions.  CBT emphasizes the use of behavioral symptom management skills for healthy coping including active self-care, positive activities, and relaxation techniques.  In CBT, the therapist and patient work together, in a collaborative fashion, to develop an understanding of the problem and to develop a treatment strategy.  CBT places an emphasis on helping you learn to be your own therapist. Through exercises in the session as well as “homework” exercises outside of sessions, patients are helped to develop coping skills, whereby they can learn to change their own thinking, problematic emotions and behavior.

CBT therapists emphasize what is going on in the person’s current life, rather than what has led up to their difficulties. A certain amount of information about one’s history is needed, but the focus is primarily on moving forward in time to develop more effective ways of coping with life.

Is CBT Right For Me?

CBT has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including:

  1. Depression,
  2. Anxiety
  3. Panic Attacks
  4. PTSD
  5. Phobias
  6. Alcohol and substance use problems
  7. Marital problems
  8. Eating disorders
  9. Severe mental illness.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

What is DBT?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy originally developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan to treat chronically suicidal adults diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.  Although DBT was developed for the treatment of severely suicidal patients, DBT skills can be very useful for anyone who is trying to manage stressful, painful, or challenging situations in their lives. DBT focuses on teaching patients and families several strategies to help tolerate painful emotions and to manage difficult situations in the best way possible. We all face situations that are out of our control, that are difficult to tolerate, and that cause us to feel emotionally out of control.

The 4 Modules of Dialectical Behavior Therapy

  1. Mindfulness: Mindfulness, at its essence, is simply being present. This means paying attention to what is happening right now. Without judgment. Without overthinking. Without invalidating your experience. Mindfulness is just being willing to show up to the present moment. It is acceptance of the present moment.
  2. Emotion Regulation: Emotion Regulation teaches you how to manage negative and overwhelming emotions while increasing your positive experiences. An important aspect of emotion regulation is understanding that negative emotions are not bad, or something that must be avoided. They are a normal part of life, but there are ways to acknowledge and then let go of these feelings so that you are not controlled by them.  This module encompasses three goals:
    1. Understand your emotions
    2. Reduce emotional vulnerability
    3. Decrease emotional suffering
  3. Distress Tolerance: Distress Tolerance skills are used to tolerating painful emotions without making the situation worse. These skills are not meant to solve your problems, per se, as you may be facing problems that you have no power to change. Instead, they are designed to help you overcome overwhelming emotions that can often emerge when we are faced with obstacles in our lives.
  4. Interpersonal Effectiveness: The goals of DBT’s Interpersonal Effectiveness skills are to build and maintain positive relationships. These skills are often natural in people who have experienced healthy relationships throughout their lives. Mastering these skills can be helpful for anyone, but especially for individuals who have experienced trauma or struggle with an attachment disorder. These skills are extremely important because the way we communicate with others has a significant impact on the quality of our relationships and on the outcome of our interactions. In order to communicate more effectively, DBT teaches skills that help you approach conversations in a more thoughtful and deliberate manner rather than acting and reacting impulsively due to stress or intense emotions.

Is DBT Right for Me?

Although DBT was originally created for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder, chronic suicidal ideation and parasuicidal behavior, DBT has been shown to be effective in treating:

  • Relationship Issues
  • Interpersonal Trauma
  • Attachment Disorders
  • PTSD
  • Childhood Abuse
  • Substance Use Disorders
  • Bipolar Disorder

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

What is Psychodynamic Therapy?

Psychodynamic therapy is the psychological exploration and processing of thoughts and emotions.  With its roots in psychoanalysis, psychodynamic therapy uses self-reflection and self-examination to alleviate emotional suffering without the time commitment of traditional psychoanalysis.

How Does It Work?

In psychodynamic therapy, therapists help patients gain insight into their lives and present-day problems through the evaluation of behavioral patterns developed over time.  To do this, therapists review certain life factors with a person in therapy including emotions, thoughts, early-life experiences, and beliefs.

Recognizing recurring patterns can help patients understand the development of maladaptive defense mechanisms.  Gaining insight into relationship patterns or reactions can help to develop healthier, more adaptive relationships and behavior patterns.

The therapeutic relationship is central to psychodynamic therapy. Known as the therapeutic alliance, your relationship with your therapist can reveal how you may interact with friends, family and loved ones in your life.

Is Psychodynamic Therapy Right for Me?

Psychodynamic Therapy can be applied to just about any psychological diagnosis or presenting problem including depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship issues.  Patients who best benefit from psychodynamic processing tend to be interested in gaining insight into how their past life experiences currently effect their maladaptive behavior patterns and exploring how their “go-to” reactions may be based on beliefs or experiences from their past.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

What is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy treatment that enables patients to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences.  EMDR was originally designed for the treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and is endorsed by the World Health Organization, Department of Veteran’s Affairs and Department of Defense, and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

How Does It Work?

EMDR therapy involves attention to three time periods:  the past, present, and future.  Focus is given to past disturbing memories and related events.  Also, it is given to current situations that cause distress, and to developing the skills and attitudes needed for positive future actions.  With EMDR therapy, these items are addressed using an eight-phase approach.  Treatment typically consists of 12 sessions, 60-90 minutes in duration, scheduled weekly.

Is EMDR Right for Me?

Multiple independent and controlled studies have demonstrated the clinical effectiveness of EMDR for the treatment of trauma disorders, both single-incident trauma and chronic, interpersonal trauma (Complex PTSD).  In addition, EMDR therapy has been shown to successfully treat:

  • Phobias
  • Panic Disoder
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Depression
  • Attachment Disorders
  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder
  • Sexual Dysfunction
  • Chronic Pain
  • Migraines

Does Insurance Cover EMDR?

EMDR is covered by most major insurance companies.  If your policy covers standard psychotherapy, it most likely will cover EMDR.