Therapy can involve a lot of unfamiliar language.
This page offers brief, plain-language explanations of some of the approaches and concepts you may hear referenced in our work together. These descriptions are not meant to be technical or exhaustive, but to give you a sense of how different frameworks support insight, emotional regulation, and meaningful change.
These descriptions are not meant to be technical or exhaustive, but to offer a sense of how different frameworks support insight, emotional regulation, and meaningful change.
You don’t need to understand or agree with every concept for therapy to be helpful — these are simply tools we may draw from depending on your needs.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an approach that helps people develop psychological flexibility — the ability to stay present with difficult thoughts or feelings while still moving toward what matters most.
Rather than trying to eliminate uncomfortable thoughts or emotions, ACT focuses on changing the relationship to them. Clients learn to notice thoughts without getting pulled into them, make room for emotional experience, and take meaningful action aligned with personal values.
ACT is especially helpful for people who feel stuck in cycles of overthinking, avoidance, or self-criticism — and want a more flexible, compassionate way of relating to their inner experience.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on understanding the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It helps people recognize patterns that contribute to distress and develop more flexible, supportive ways of responding.
CBT is often structured and goal-oriented. It can be particularly helpful for identifying unhelpful thinking patterns, building coping skills, and increasing a sense of agency in daily life.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Emotionally Focused Therapy is a relational approach that focuses on emotional safety, connection, and attachment. It helps individuals and couples better understand emotional needs, patterns of interaction, and moments of disconnection.
EFT works by slowing down emotional responses, strengthening secure bonds, and helping people communicate from a place of vulnerability rather than protection or reactivity.
Family Systems Therapy
Family Systems Therapy views individuals as part of interconnected emotional systems rather than in isolation. Patterns learned in families of origin — such as roles, communication styles, and emotional expectations — often shape adult relationships and coping strategies.
This approach helps people recognize these patterns and make intentional changes, even when other family members are not directly involved in therapy.
Genogram
A genogram is a visual map of family relationships across generations. It helps identify patterns related to roles, attachment, communication, trauma, and emotional dynamics.
Genograms can offer insight into how family history influences present-day relationships and emotional responses.
The Gottman Method
The Gottman Method focuses on strengthening relationships through emotional awareness, communication skills, and conflict repair. It emphasizes understanding patterns that erode connection — such as criticism or withdrawal — and building habits that support trust, friendship, and mutual respect.
Positive Psychology
Positive Psychology focuses on what helps people thrive — including meaning, resilience, connection, and well-being — rather than focusing solely on symptoms or pathology.
This approach complements therapeutic work by helping individuals identify strengths, values, and sources of fulfillment alongside areas of growth.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy focuses on understanding how unconscious patterns, early relationships, and emotional experiences shape current thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Rather than only addressing symptoms, this approach explores the deeper emotional and relational themes that repeat across time — including attachment patterns, defenses, and ways of relating to self and others. Through reflection and the therapeutic relationship, clients gain insight into how past experiences continue to influence present life.
Psychodynamic Therapy is especially helpful for people who want to understand the why beneath their struggles, recognize long-standing patterns, and create more freedom, authenticity, and emotional depth in their relationships and inner life.
Therapeutic Relationship
The therapeutic relationship — sometimes called the therapeutic alliance — refers to the collaborative, trusting connection between therapist and client. Research consistently shows that this relationship is one of the strongest predictors of meaningful change.
Feeling understood, respected, and emotionally safe creates the foundation for deeper insight and lasting growth.