There are many styles of therapy that therapists may choose to incorporate into a therapy session. In most cases, therapists will use a combination of interventions from different evidence-based techniques during their treatment with a client. Clients will sometimes report at intake that they were recommended a certain type of therapy, but they do not fully understand what the treatment involves. In this article, we provide a brief overview of some of the most common evidence-based treatments used by our therapists at Pause Wellness Center.
Therapy Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT relies on the premise that negative or unhelpful thought patterns lead to unhealthy behaviors that contribute to stress and mental illness. Therapists using CBT provide psychoeducation to their clients on how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact and how changing one of these can lead to positive change in the other areas. A therapist will work with their client to identify unhealthy thought patterns and replace them with healthy alternatives. Behavioral intervention may also be used to reduce unhealthy behaviors. CBT has been demonstrated through scientific research to be one of the most effective treatments in improving mental health and treating disorders such as depression and anxiety (American Psychology Association, 2017).
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT builds upon CBT and centers on dialectics, which entails exploring the truths between conflicting opinions and recognizing that two things can be true at the same time (ex. you can be strong and vulnerable at the same time). This approach relies on building skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness (McLean Hospital, 2024). Skills are often presented as acronyms for ease of recall and use. DBT is a popular treatment for borderline personality disorder, but can also be applied when working with trauma, substance use, depression, and more.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT involves accepting rather than avoiding or denying one’s emotions, while also committing to making necessary changes in one’s behavior to positively move forward in life. Psychological flexibility is promoted through the processes of acceptance, cognitive diffusion, being present in the moment, expanding one’s identity beyond their thoughts and experiences, identifying personal values, and committing to take concrete steps towards positive change. Behavior is adjusted in ways that allow the individual to live up to their personal values and achieve their goals (Psychology Today, 2022). ACT is a popular treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder and is also used in the treatment of other conditions like general stress and anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
Art Therapy
Art therapy involves utilizing forms of artistic expression to engage in therapeutic exercises that cannot be accomplished with verbal communication alone. The artistic process may be used as both a therapeutic aid in session and coping skill for the client. This therapy can be especially helpful with young clients and/ or clients who have difficulty articulating their feelings with words. It can also be particularly helpful in times when a client experiences strong and overwhelming emotions, like times of grief, crisis, or when processing trauma (American Art Therapy Assocation, 2022). Clients do not need to be artistically talented to participate in art therapy interventions.
Play Therapy
Play therapy is a popular modality for young children, as it builds upon their natural desire to engage in play. Therapists will assist children in expressing themselves through play when they don’t have the words to describe their experiences or feelings. Problem-solving and interpersonal skills can also be improved through collaborative play with a trained therapist. Engaging in play therapy creates appropriate psychological distance between the child and their negative emotions and experiences while allowing them to express themselves in a way that is developmentally appropriate (Lilly et al., n.d.).
Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)
IFS conceptualizes that individuals are made up of multiple psychological “selves” or families. There are wounded parts, protective parts, controlling or directive parts, and the true self, which is considered to be a compassionate and capable being. IFS involves identifying the different parts of self, processing suppressed feelings associated with these parts, and learning to release these feelings. The goal is to accept each part and get them to work together so that the true self can emerge and take charge. IFS is often used in work with couples and families, but it can also be used in individual therapy to process trauma and treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and phobias (Psychology Today, 2022).
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
MI is used to help people develop sufficient motivation to make positive behavior changes. Therapists using MI work with their clients to identify their core values and goals, then explore if the client’s current behavior aligns with these values and goals. A therapist will assess where a client falls on the stages of change and figure out what may motivate them to progress along the stages to make a positive change in their life. Clients gradually gain a better understanding of themselves and their behaviors with the guidance of their therapist’s reframing techniques. MI was first developed to treat substance use disorders, but it can be used in treating other disorders as well (Hartney, 2023).
Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
Solution-focused therapy is also known as solution-focused brief therapy due to the goal-oriented nature and shorter duration than other therapies. This technique is used when clients enter therapy with a specific problem they are looking to address. The client is asked to identify what their life will look like once this problem is resolved, often using the “miracle question.” The therapist assists the client in identifying the tools they already possess that will allow them to solve the problem. From there, the two parties collaborate to come up with tangible solutions to the problem that will achieve the client’s desired goals (Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy, 2022). The therapist may then offer continued support to the client as they attempt to implement the solutions outside of therapy sessions.
PWC and our Therapists
At PWC, none of our therapists use one therapy modality alone. Instead, each therapist has their own eclectic approach and chooses a combination of interventions from different techniques depending on the needs of each client. We respect clients who come in with the desire to explore specific therapeutic modalities, but we also encourage them to trust their therapist and be open to other recommendations when appropriate.
Are you interested in getting started with one of our therapists? Fill out our “Appointment Request” form on this site or send us an email at info@pausewellnesscenter.com to discuss your options.
References
American Art Therapy Association. (2022). What is art therapy? Fact sheet. https://arttherapy.org/what-is-art-therapy/
American Psychological Association. (2017). What is cognitive behavioral therapy? https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral
Hartney, E. (2023, November 14). Understanding motivational interviewing. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-motivational-interviewing-22378
Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy. (2022). What is solution-focused therapy? https://solutionfocused.net/what-is-solution-focused-therapy/
Lilly, JP., O’Connor, K., Krull, T., Scheafer, C., Landreth, G., & Pehrsson., D. (n.d.). Play therapy makes a difference. Association for Play Therapy. https://www.a4pt.org/page/PTMakesADifference/www.google.com
McLean Hospital. (2024, July 9). Dialectical behavior therapy: your toolbox for managing emotions. https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/dbt