Therapy Methods

 From Laura's Introductory Letter to Clients:

             . . . When trying to understand a client’s presenting problem, I use the biopsychosocial model.  This provides a framework for me to understand the problem by including your physical health, the people around you, and the situations you live and work in, as well as your thoughts and emotions.  This means that I may recommend working to improve your physical health or your situation in addition to the therapy addressing your feelings and thoughts.  For example, if a client came to me for help in tolerating an abusive relationship, my first evaluation would be that the situation, the relationship, needed to change.  Thus, treatment may involve referrals to your doctor, a nutritionist, or other outside resource.

            At the most general level, I offer a respectful and attentive listener who can provide information about different psychological conditions and human behavior, then offer ideas for ways to address your challenges.  The specific therapeutic methods we use will depend on the nature of the psychological piece of the problem.  Mood disorders, especially depression, frequently cause the person suffering to think and believe many untrue or distorted things, for example, “I’m a complete loser – I can’t do anything right.”  I often use “CBT,” or Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, techniques, which include investigating whether beliefs about yourself are true; and helping you to look at situations or problems differently.  That is the “cognitive” piece.  The “behavioral” piece may involve homework assignments to change behavior by trying something new.  I also focus on communication issues and understanding other people’s behavior without imposing our own negative beliefs about ourselves onto their actions.  . . .

©  Laura Brand-Ballard, 2006.  All Rights Reserved.