In considering therapy approaches that match the rebellious nature of adventure, I landed on a couple approaches to guide our adventurous work. They tackle the world's wicked problems with collaboration, curiosity, and openness.
Most importantly, these models were designed to be inclusive of folks who like therapy, hate therapy, or have never tried therapy before! I personally like them because they don't require a person to have a PhD to understand them... they cut through the psycho-babble and get people working directly with the bear in the middle of the road or elephant in the room!
our counseling philosophy
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY: PRACTICE ROOTS
ACCEPTANCE & COMMITMENT THERAPY
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an active approach to engaging life on its terms rather than ours. We're able to loosen our grip on what should happen and instead pursue what matters to us as the present moment unfolds. ACT sprouts from relational frame theory (RFT), which examines the complex and at times entangling relationship between language and beliefs.
ACT couples mindfulness and acceptance practices with commitment and value-driven action to help us remain open, centered and engaged with our life.
EXPOSURE & ERP
Exposure models, including OCD-gold standard Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP), directly target the fears and mental "stuff" that our brains can get stuck on. By putting our actions first, we begin to break the vicious cycle that limits our reality.
Through exposure and ERP, a series of intentional changes are made to improve our confidence while weakening the connection between the situations that scare us and our gut response.
FAMILY THERAPY: PRACTICE ROOTS
COLLABORATIVE & PROACTIVE SOLUTIONS
Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS, an admittedly bad acronym) addresses behavior problems that is gentle on the teen and friendly to the family by taking a "whole family" approach.
Through CPS, parents are able to take the lead in getting their kid back on track following a step-by-step guide involving collaboration, modeling and coaching.
ATTACHMENT-BASED FAMILY THERAPY
Attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) helps restore the foundation of trust within the family. ABFT understands the importance of a good parent-child relationship on a teen's mental health. By shoring up the quality of the relationship, kids can better face life's challenges with confidence and trust.
ABFT supports the family re-open the door for honest conversations through a series of relational tasks that promote a secure, emotionally protective parent–child relationship.