Center Street Psychology

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a type of psychotherapy based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), but specially adapted for people who experience emotions very intensely. The key difference between CBT and DBT lies in the concept of validation and relationships. DBT teaches that our experiences are real/valid and to accept them as such. It also informs us that we must make positive changes if we wish to have a healthy relationship with the ever-changing, and often-challenging world around us.

DBT works towards reducing one’s emotional distress that negatively impacts their wellbeing and the way they interact with their surroundings. More specifically, DBT focuses on skills training and includes mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness and distress tolerance.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy treatment that involves recalling distressing memories and re-experiencing them in a controlled way. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes.

EMDR therapy is an eight-phase treatment. Eye movements (or other bilateral stimulation) are used during one part of the session. After the clinician has determined which memory to target first, the client is asked to hold different aspects of that event or thought in mind and to use their eyes to track the therapist’s hand as it moves back and forth across the client’s field of vision. As this happens, internal associations arise and the clients begin to process the memory and disturbing feelings. In successful EMDR therapy, the meaning of painful events is transformed on an emotional level and creates a cognitive shift. This process helps people with PTSD deal with their traumatic pasts by reducing their emotional impact on daily life. Dealing with your pain and hurt can help you to make the necessary changes you desire.

Psychodynamic therapy (PDT) is a form of talk therapy. It is based on the idea that talking to a professional about problems people are facing can help them find relief and reach solutions. PDT's basis states deriving insights from childhood can give patients insights about their current problems to help them achieve a higher quality of life.

In any type of psychotherapy, the relationship between the patient and therapist is important, but especially in PDT. Psychodynamic therapy's success relies heavily on trust, since the topics discussed during sessions are often sensitive or traumatic. Changing old patterns and healing resurfacing wounds can have profound effects on your life. Dealing with your pain and hurt can help you to make the necessary changes you desire.

PDT can be compared to other popular forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Both aim to help patients increase their self-awareness and gain more control over their own mental health, however PDT puts a higher emphasis on unpacking how past traumas affect current emotions.

The Gottman Method is a couples therapy approach that focuses on improving communication and understanding in relationships. The basic premise behind the Gottman Method is that relationships can be strengthened if couples learn to recognize negative patterns in their interactions with each other, replace those patterns with more positive ones, understand each other better (and themselves), resolve conflict constructively rather than destructively, deal with problems as soon as possible instead of letting them fester or ignore them altogether.

Treatment begins with a conjoint session, followed by individual interviews with each partner. Couples complete questionnaires and then receive detailed feedback on their relationship, after which the couple and therapist decide on the frequency and duration of the sessions. Interventions are designed to help couples strengthen their relationships in three primary areas: friendship, conflict management, and creation of shared meaning. Couples learn to replace negative conflict patterns with positive interactions and to repair past hurts. Interventions designed to increase closeness and intimacy are used to improve friendship, deepen emotional connection, and create changes which enhances the couples shared goals.