Narrative Therapy is a treatment model that seeks to help clients identify their values and the skills and knowledge they have to live these values, so they can effectively confront whatever problems they face.  It’s primary emphasis is on “telling the story” of our lives in a manner that reflects who you are, what you are capable of, and what your purpose is, separate from your problems.  Viewing clients as seeking out therapy when they are stuck, or have reached a point where their life has no meaning, the therapist uses questioning, evaluating and redefining the meanings attached to life stories so that the individual can embrace the internal strengths they have to think differently, reframe and reorganize future thoughts and goals. We are at war with perspectives that impact health and wholeness, joy and peace.  As clients embrace their stories within God’s greater story, they can find the meaning they are searching for.

For more information about Narrative Therapy, please visit https://dulwichcentre.com.au/what-is-narrative-therapy/

We are told in 2 Timothy 1:7 that through Christ we have been gfted with the power of a sound mind, a spirit of fear, but one of power and love.  It is through the constant renewing of our amazing minds (see Romans 12: 1-2) that we keep that sound mind, one that can be confident even in the days of disaster or trial.  Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, while based not in Christian thought, is strongly supported by scripture and is a powerful methodoloy to treat distressing symptoms and learn news ways to be controlled by a sound mind and not by our emotions, behaviors, other people’s emotions and behaviors or distressing events of changes in our lives.  By looking closely at how we think that impacts our feelings and behaviors, the CBT therapist helps clients attack the lies they believe.  By definition, CBT is a “short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy treatment that takes a hands-on, practical approach to problem-solving. Its goal is to change patterns of thinking or behavior that are behind people’s difficulties, and so change the way they feel.” CBT can help you address the patterns that get you stuck and move you to a place where you can function and respond to challenges with ease.  It can improve your relationships and is effective with multiple presenting issues.

For more information about CBT, visit https://psychcentral.com/lib/in-depth-cognitive-behavioral-therapy/

The field of psychotherapy continues to evolve over time as new information is learned through scientific research. The more we learn, the more we now know that trauma has a significant impact on the human body (and more specifically, the brian’s response) and psyche.  If we do not understand this, some generalized methods of treatment become less effective or result in a “band-aid” solution to a deeper problem.  We have learned the necessity of having strong bonds of human attachment and our need for safe, trusting relationships to thrive in a world of stress and unexpected turbulence.  When these bonds are compromised, we may struggle to reach for help when we need.  Processing stressful situations effectively and completely is compromised, and leads us to rely upon our emotional response,  which has been heightened through the activation of the “fight or flight” response.  God designed this response to protect our bodies from an immediate threat, not to run continously or to be activated when no real threat exists.  Trauma compromises this natural ability within us to mange our worlds effectively.  When clinicians combine the neurobiological research with the study of human attachment in developing theoretical models to treat individuals who have experienced a traumatic event, powerful gains can be made.  My understanding of this powerful interaction of the brain’s response system and human relationships drives the manner in which I apaproach therapy with individuals, couples and families.

TF-CBT is an evidenced based designed specifally for treating children and adolescents (as well as their parents and caregivers) who have experienced traumatic events.  It has been found to effectively reduce the negative impact of the experience of trauma and is useful when clients exhbit symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress, depression, panic, anxiety, and behavioral problems.

The Murray Method is a theory developed to explain how individuals survive trauma and deprivation. It provides a clear and concise explanation for the consequences of childhood pain and addresses the manner in which trauma, abuse, and neglect, and the resulting defense mechanisms, create distorted thinking and emotions that greatly influence health and behavior. It is especially useful for situationas of abusive and dysfunctional backgrounds including (1) physical, sexual, emotional and/or spiritual abuse, (2) neglect and emotional deprivation, (3) relationship problems, (3) codependency, and (4) addictions. The goals of this method is to move from an unhealthy, out-of-balanced person to one with healthy balance in life in all areas – Intellectually, Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually. The model is practial and experiential, most often known for its use of the “Trauma Egg.”

For more information about the Murray Method, please visit  http://www.hriltd.org/murraymethodgp.shtml