Therapeutic Tools
Person- Centered Therapy
A non-judgmental approach that fosters self-growth by providing unconditional acceptance, empathy, and authenticity, regardless of differences in background or experiences.
The client might feel they have a different cultural background, experiences, values, race, religious beliefs, sexuality, SES, disability, or age from the counselor. The counselor focuses on their experiences, listening with empathy and reflecting on what the client shares about their needs, values, and emotions. This approach creates a safe space where the client feels empowered to share and explore their feelings.
Experiential Therapy
A therapeutic approach that focuses on engaging clients in activities or experiences to help them process emotions, gain insight, and develop healthier behaviors. Unlike traditional talk therapy, experiential therapy often involves active, hands-on techniques that help clients access and express thoughts and feelings that might be challenging to articulate verbally. A counselor encourages and assists clients in participating in activities that address their challenges.
Psychoanalysis
A person feels persistently sad and unmotivated but doesn’t know why. In psychoanalysis, they explore their past and realize their depression stems from childhood feelings of neglect, where they believed, “I’m not good enough to be loved.”
Through free association, they uncover how this belief affects their current relationships and self-worth. For instance, they constantly overwork to seek approval but still feel empty.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT helps individuals by identifying and challenging harmful thoughts. For instance, a person struggling with perfectionism feels overwhelmed at work which leads to drinking to relax. Their beliefs might be
"I must always succeed." CBT teaches them to reframe perfectionistic beliefs, develop healthier coping strategies for stress, and tolerate imperfection.
CBT also focuses on separating self-worth from achievements and fostering self-compassion.
Expressive Therapy
Expressive therapy is a wonderful non-verbal tool for individuals who have difficulty expressing their feelings verbally.
It is particularly beneficial for those with complex trauma, such as grief, chronic illness, language barriers, or neurodivergent development.
A person with depression might draw themselves in a small, enclosed space to symbolize isolation or use dark, heavy shading to express emotional weight. They could also create a “before and after” image, visualizing their current struggles and a hopeful future, helping them process emotions and find a path to healing.
Solution- Focused Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy helps with anxiety by focusing on strengths, goals, and actionable steps. It shifts attention from the problem to solutions, helping the person set specific goals, recognize past successes, and take small steps toward feeling better. A person experiences frequent panic attacks and says, “I feel like I’m losing control and can’t handle it. Focusing on Solutions: Together, they decide to try grounding techniques, like naming objects in the room or focusing on their breath, during the next episode. The counselor encourages the person to visualize calmly recognizing the early signs of panic and practice using the new techniques .
Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness practice helps someone for instance "in recovery" who struggles with sitting with themselves by teaching them to observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment. Instead of avoiding discomfort through constant activity, they learn to stay present and accept their emotions as they arise. A counselor might assign the client a simple practice, like taking 5–10 minutes of mindfulness before engaging in high-paced activities. Additionally, the client and counselor can practice mindfulness together to provide support and address challenges. Over time, they may feel more in control of their emotions, as these emotions become less overwhelming with practice.
Nutritional Psychiatry
A field of study and practice that focuses on the connection between diet, nutrition, and mental health. It explores how the foods we eat influence brain function, mood, and overall mental well-being. It's focusing on the gut-brain connection and the role of nutrients like omega-3s, B vitamins, and magnesium in mood and brain function. It promotes whole, nutrient-dense foods to reduce inflammation and support mental well-being, helping manage conditions like depression and anxiety.
This approach integrates healthy eating into mental health care for improved emotional resilience.