Our therapy orientation is a combination of Systemic, Cognitive Behavioral, Emotionally Focused Therapy (Sue Johnson), and the Gottman Method of couples therapy.
Systemic therapy seeks to identify stagnant patterns of behavior in groups of people such as a couple or family and address those patterns directly. For example, a common dynamic in couples is when one spouse is over functioning and the other is under functioning- this can be a result of illness, depression, anxiety, differing levels of education, etc. However, what brings them into counseling might be intimacy issues, an affair, trouble with an adolescent, addictive behaviors, etc. Systemic therapy is used to help identify this pattern, re-balance the functioning level between the spouses, and improve the family’s overall functioning and satisfaction in life.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps patients to understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviors. Treatment consists of tracking your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors either through journaling or self-reporting, examining how they connect, and working together to find healthier and more productive ways to think, feel and act. Our therpists use CBT as a tool to assist the overall therapy process.
Emotionally focused therapy’s (EFT) basic message is that much of the distress couples experience is the result of disruption in the attachment bond with our most intimate partner. That distress gets expressed in a myriad of ways, such as angry pursuit, silent stoney withdrawal, and repetitive, apparently intractable patterns that can wear down even the most committed couples. As couples are able to slow down and get under these reactive patterns and talk about the underlying hurt and alienation, they give their partner a way back in, leading to new patterns of engagement and strong, stable bonds. The research on using EFT in couples therapy shows that 70% of couples have lasting improvement in their relationship up to two years post treatment.
The Gottman Method is a type of couples therapy developed by John and Julie Gottman, www.gottman.com. This is the other researched and most effective form of couples therapy apart from EFT. It is an excellent resource for pragmatic and behavioral exercises couples can do to improve their relationship.
