APPROACH
THERAPEUTIC APPROACH
Kate primarily draws on three approaches:
Client-Centered Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy
Solution Focused Therapy
SOLUTION FOCUSED
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” (Vincent Van Gogh)
Solution-focused therapy recognizes the strengths and resources that clients bring to the session.
I adopt this positive, strength-based focus by considering:
- What has worked? What hasn’t? How have you coped so far? What are your strengths? What are your goals and hopes?
- The client is the expert on his/her self, the therapist is the expert on counselling, psychology technique
- Counseling is a collaborative process
- The more clearly we identify our goals, the more likely we are to reach them; we can also build on our strengths and past successes
COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOURAL
“As you think, so you become.....Our busy minds are forever jumping to conclusions, manufacturing and interpreting signs that aren't there.” (Epictetus)
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Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most evidence-based model of therapy with lots of research to support its effectiveness for a wide range of presenting concerns. CBT has cognitive and behavioural components. The cognitive component looks at how self-talk and thoughts affect feelings. The behavioural component looks at ways of directly modifying unhealthy, maladaptive behaviours.
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I will help you recognize patterns and traps in your thinking and unhelpful behaviours. I will also help you recognize how these patterns developed over time so that you can make different choices in the future.
CLIENT-CENTERED
"When I look at the world I'm pessimistic, but when I look at people I am optimistic."
“The good life is a process, not a state of being.” (Carl Rogers)
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Client-centered therapy stresses the importance of therapist empathy and acceptance of the client as a person. Under these conditions, clients are able to self-actualize and reach their potentials.
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I believe that a safe, caring environment is needed to help clients explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and strive to meet their potentials. Underneath all of the techniques and ideas, a strong, accepting, and safe therapeutic relationship is the key for change.
SPECIALTY TRAINING
PLAY THERAPY FOR CHILDREN
Play therapy is the systematic use of play to help children alleviate distress and improve functioning. A variety of mediums are used depending on the age and interest of the child (e.g., art, sand tray). Whereas adults are able to talk directly at length about their problems and goals, children communicate and work through issues with play.
EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING (EMDR) FOR TRAUMA
EMDR is a holistic approach to addressing past trauma. Past trauma may be big “T” Trauma (e.g., a motor vehicle accident) or little “t” trauma (e.g., an embarrassing moment during childhood). Regardless of the magnitude, all trauma molds and shapes who we are. Sometimes, we naturally resolve and work through these issues. Other times, these past experiences get “locked” in the nervous system (e.g., with flashbacks of the event, stuck feelings and thoughts, fight/flight/freeze responses to the triggers).​ EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (e.g., eye movements similar to eye movement during REM sleep) to help the nervous system reprocess past memories so that they no longer cause distress in the present.
NATURAL PROCESSING FOR TRAUMA
Combines EMDR and Somatic Experiencing with EMDR
- More closely tracks the nervous system, body sensations while processing trauma
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ACCELERATED RESOLUTION THERAPY (ART) FOR TRAUMA
Variation of EMDR that is more directed, scripted.
BODYNAMICS FOR TRAUMA
Body-oriented approach developed in Europe that theorizes that certain muscles related to stages of childhood development and certain psychological skills.