Individual Therapy

During our first few sessions we will collaboratively determine a treatment plan that takes into account how YOU best respond to treatment, because while there are treatment protocols that work, it goes without saying that every person is unique and there is not a "one-size fits all" therapy. I believe that treatment planning is enhanced when there is full transparency and I will help you think through the pros/cons of each treatment, ensure you know what is expected of you in treatment and what you can expect of me, and how we can move you towards the life you value living.

Evidence-Based Therapies for PTSD

Evidence-based therapies (EBT's) for PTSD are therapies that have been rigorously studied and found to be effective for the treatment of PTSD. They are the "gold-standard" treatments for PTSD and trauma. They are time-limited and most require practice work between sessions. Below are some informational videos about the different treatments. I have found that having these quick looks at treatment can help you be better informed and empowered in making decisions about your treatment. The treatments are Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Prolonged Exposure (PE). *Presented in alphabetical order

Evidence-Informed Therapies for PTSD

Evidence-informed therapies are ones that have been studied for effectiveness and more information is needed before stating they are gold-standard treatments for PTSD (though they are evidence-based for other disorders besides PTSD). They are also time-limited and require practice between sessions. They are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) *Presented in alphabetical order

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is an evidence-based treatment for PTSD that examines how we've made sense out of the traumatic events(s) happening as well as the ways in which the trauma(s) has shaped our beliefs about ourselves, others, and the world. You will learn tools to challenge your beliefs and gain freedom from the ways trauma has altered your life.
CPT is a 12-session protocol and each session is typically 45-50 mins.
I have received multiple in-person trainings for CPT, completed 6 months of consultation, and met competency standards for providing CPT. I am a VA-certified provider for CPT and have practiced CPT since 2008.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy for PTSD that uses eye movements to help rapidly process traumatic memories. Memories are linked in the brain by physical sensations, emotions, or beliefs - targeting one often helps process the others.
EMDR lasts ~8-15 sessions and each session is 45-80 mins depending on your needs.
I received in-person training through the Department of Defense, completed consultation in 2011, and have practiced EMDR since that time.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) is an evidence-based therapy for PTSD and targets the avoidance that is so common in PTSD. The avoidance of memories, thoughts, situations, and other triggers. In PE you will target, in a gradual and systematic way, the things that you have been avoiding in order to re-learn that they are safe. In therapy you will confront the avoided memories in order to gain new understanding and to file it away as a memory.
PE typically takes ~10-15 sessions and sessions are 75-80 mins.
I received in-person training through the VA, completed consultation in PE, and met competency standards in delivering PE. I am a VA-certified provider in PE and have practiced PE since 2009.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-informed therapy for PTSD and an evidence-based therapy for depression that helps people move towards flexibility by helping them identify what their true values are and making committed actions in line with those values even when difficult thoughts, emotions, memories, etc. are present. Unlike other therapies, ACT is not focused on decreasing symptoms, it is focused on creating a value-driven life in spite of symptoms.
ACT typically takes 10-12 sessions and each session is 45-50 mins.
I have received in-person training in ACT through the VA, completed consultation in ACT, and met competency standards to provide ACT. I am a VA-certified provider in ACT, which I have practiced since 2017.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive treatment that balances acceptance and change and helps people create and achieve a life-worth living. While I do not currently offer a comprehensive DBT program, I do incorporate DBT skills into therapy when needed. The core skills are: mindfulness (awareness of self and of the present moment), distress tolerance (handling crisis moments without making them worse), interpersonal effectiveness (effectively asking for what you need/saying no to what you don't ), and emotion regulation (decreasing vulnerability to overwhelming emotions).
DBT Skills incorporation typically take 4-8 sessions, often as preparation for trauma-focused therapy.
I have received in-person training through the VA and through TIC, LLC; I also built and coordinate a comprehensive DBT Service at the Washington DC VAMC. I have practiced DBT since 2009.