OnlineTherapyOntario.com
The number one influence on success in therapy is the relationship between the therapist and the client.
Work with a therapist who you feel comfortable working with, who allows different parts of you to emerge, and who will be on your team as you embrace personal work to become the best version of yourself.
The modalities that follow may emerge in our work together, the foundation of the therapy is relational and psychodynamic.
Therapy Modalities
Relational Gestalt Therapy
Relational Gestalt Therapy focuses on the dynamics between individuals and their environment, emphasizing the importance of relationships in human development and healing. It involves exploring patterns of behavior, uncovering hidden emotions, and finding new ways to interact with others. The therapist works with clients to develop awareness of their relational patterns, helping them understand how these patterns impact their lives.
Example: The Empty Chair Technique: The purpose of the "empty chair" technique is to facilitate self-exploration, insight, and emotional expression.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a structured, goal-oriented therapy that focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and beliefs. It aims to change maladaptive behaviors by altering these thought patterns. CBT often involves structured exercises, thought records, and behavioral experiments to help clients develop healthier thinking and behavior.
Example: Challenging assumptions, helping individuals develop awareness of cognitive distortions and learn to reframe their own thoughts in a more positive and balanced way.
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
Emotion-Focused Therapy is a humanistic approach that prioritizes the role of emotions in the therapeutic process. EFT helps clients identify, process, and express emotions in a way that fosters healing and relational growth. It is often used in couples therapy to explore underlying emotions and build empathy between partners.
Example: Guiding couples in identifying and addressing triggers, focusing on transforming harmful communication patterns into supportive and understanding ones.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is a goal-oriented approach that emphasizes finding practical solutions to specific problems. SFBT focuses on what is working well and aims to build on existing strengths to resolve issues. It encourages clients to envision a desired future and work toward achieving it with concrete steps.
Example: A worksheet for coaching and therapy clients on how to use journaling to set goals, track progress, and avoid negative spirals, emphasizing solution-oriented thinking.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on teaching skills to manage intense emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and increase emotional regulation. Originally developed for individuals with borderline personality disorder, DBT has evolved to help people with various emotional and relational challenges. It emphasizes four core skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT often involves a combination of individual therapy, group skills training, and homework assignments.
Example: A worksheet offering three ways to regulate emotions can relate to DBT's focus on developing skills for managing emotional distress. The worksheet provides practical strategies for coping with stress and emotional turmoil, reflecting DBT's structured approach to skill-building and emotional resilience.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative Therapy revolves around the idea that individuals form their identities through the stories they tell about their lives. It helps clients reframe and reconstruct their narratives in a way that is empowering and healing. This approach encourages exploring personal stories and finding new perspectives that contribute to growth and change.
Example: A worksheet for coaching and therapy clients focusing on journaling in a way that avoids negativity spirals. This approach aligns with Narrative Therapy by promoting the reframing of personal stories to create healthier narratives.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy explores unconscious processes and their influence on behavior. It focuses on gaining insight into the root causes of emotional distress and understanding how past experiences shape current relationships and patterns. This modality often involves examining childhood experiences and their impact on adult life.
Example: A worksheet for couples to address unsupportive words and phrases that trigger emotional responses. By exploring underlying patterns and dynamics, this approach can be linked to Psychodynamic Therapy's focus on unconscious influences and relational patterns.
Client-Centered Therapy (Person-Centered Therapy)
Client-Centered Therapy, also known as Person-Centered Therapy, is based on the work of Carl Rogers. It emphasizes creating a non-judgmental, empathetic environment where clients feel valued and understood. This approach fosters self-discovery and personal growth through unconditional positive regard, empathy, and active listening.
Example: A welcoming email for new clients that conveys empathy, encouragement, and a client-focused approach. This aligns with Client-Centered Therapy's emphasis on creating a supportive therapeutic environment.
The world of therapy is vast and diverse, with a multitude of approaches that often share common tools and techniques. As we embark on this journey together, we may find ourselves drawing from various therapeutic modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, and solutions-focused therapy, among others.
While these approaches have distinct principles and philosophies, it is not uncommon to see them intersect and converge in practice. By embracing the diversity of approaches and being open to exploring different techniques, we can tailor our therapeutic work to best suit your unique needs and goals. Together, we will navigate this rich tapestry of therapeutic approaches to promote growth, healing, and self-discovery.