EVIDENCE BASED TREATMENTS

Mindfulness and Mindful Self-Compassion

Mindfulness is the practice of bringing awareness to the present moment with openness and non-judgment. It helps individuals develop greater emotional regulation, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) takes this a step further by integrating self-kindness, common humanity, and mindful awareness to help individuals treat themselves with the same care and understanding they would offer a close friend.

As a therapist, I use mindfulness and MSC to help clients navigate difficult emotions, manage self-criticism, and build resilience. By learning to be present with their experiences without judgment and responding to themselves with compassion, individuals can break free from cycles of shame and self-doubt. These practices foster inner strength and a deeper sense of self-acceptance

 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment that helps individuals understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By identifying and challenging unhelpful thinking patterns, CBT empowers individuals to develop healthier coping strategies and make meaningful changes in their lives.

I use CBT to help clients manage anxiety, depression, stress, and other challenges by teaching practical skills such as cognitive restructuring, problem-solving, and behavioral activation. Through this structured approach, individuals learn to replace negative thought patterns with balanced perspectives, regulate emotions more effectively, and take action toward their goals.

 

 

 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy  

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a powerful, skills-based approach that can help individuals with ADHD improve emotional regulation, impulse control, and executive functioning. DBT’s structured techniques—such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness—are highly effective in addressing the core challenges of ADHD.

As a therapist, I use DBT to help clients develop practical strategies for managing impulsivity, improving focus, and building frustration tolerance. By strengthening self-awareness and coping skills, DBT empowers individuals with ADHD to navigate daily challenges with greater confidence, and emotional balance.

Exposure and Response Prevention  

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is an evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). I guide clients through gradual, structured exposures to feared thoughts, situations, or sensations while helping them resist compulsions or avoidance behaviors.

A key part of ERP is helping clients recognize that OCD operates like a “bully” demanding obedience through intrusive thoughts and rituals. Through ERP, individuals learn to take back control, standing up to OCD rather than giving in to its demands. Over time, they build resilience, weaken OCD’s grip, and develop the confidence to face uncertainty with greater ease. With the right support, ERP provides lasting relief and empowers individuals to live with freedom and flexibility.

Parent Training & Education  

Parenting a child with ADHD can come with unique challenges, especially when it comes to oppositional behaviors, school struggles, and navigating special education services. Understanding how ADHD impacts your child’s emotions, behavior, and learning is key to providing the right support and advocating effectively.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an effective, mindfulness-based approach that helps individuals develop psychological flexibility, manage impulsivity, and stay focused on what truly matters. ACT teaches individuals to accept their thoughts and emotions while committing to actions aligned with their values.

As a therapist, I use ACT to help clients with ADHD and anxiety build self-compassion, enhance attention through mindfulness, and develop strategies to move forward even when challenges arise. By shifting the focus from struggling with symptoms to living a meaningful life, ACT empowers individuals to embrace their strengths, adapt to challenges, and create lasting positive change.

Solution Focused

As the name suggests, Solution Focused therapy is brief and emphasizes issues and solutions for current issues versus issues of the past and directs individuals toward a short-term goal-oriented approach.

Exposure Therapy for Phobias

Exposure Therapy helps people gradually confront and desensitize their fears in a safe and supportive environment. By exposing individuals to their feared object or situation in a controlled manner—starting with mild exposures and progressing to more challenging ones—they learn that their fear response naturally decreases over time.

 I guide youth through structured exposure exercises, teaching them coping skills to manage anxiety while building confidence. This approach helps them break the cycle of avoidance and regain a sense of control over their fears, allowing them to engage more fully in everyday life.

Common Phobias in Youth:

  • Fear of the dark 
  • Fear of flying 
  • Fear of animals
  • Fear of needles 
  • Fear of social situations (Social Anxiety Disorder)
  • Fear of storms 
  • Fear of Enclosed or tight spaces