Available Therapy Options
Some general information on Willow Tree Services
IFS - Internal Family Systems. This therapy was created by Richard Schwartz. IFS says that we have many 'parts' of ourselves that can be in conflict with one another. Have you ever said, "part of me wants to, but another part doesn't." That is IFS language. IFS works to help us relate to and harmonize our 'parts' in new ways. This can help manage impacts from trauma, navigate relationships better, reduce emotional reactivity, can foster a better understanding and trust of ourselves, and manage many other mental health concerns.​
ACT - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Ever feel like your mind pushes you around? Stops you from doing things you want to do? This therapy created by Russ Harris helps us with skills and insights to Be Present, Open Up, Do What Matters to us - even through great stress, trauma, and emotional distress. ​
DBT - Dialectial Behaviour Therapy. DBT was created by Marsha Linehan. It was created for people in extreme distress, or "in hell,"as Marsha Linehan says. It has been predominantly used with folks who have been diagnosed with a personality disorder called Borderline Personality Disorder. DBT, however, can be for anyone. DBT skills have been an incredible help to me in my own life, (as well as IFS and ACT). DBT skills focus on acceptance and change, and offer skills to practice both. ​
These therapies are much more than I have stated here - they are incredibly nuanced and extend far beyond these introductory statements. If you have questions about them, let's chat in session!
Understanding therapies
A good metaphor might be, therapy modalities are like the branches of the tree. All connected to the trunk, all providing some shade, nutrients and other goodness to the tree, but all look different - some may be really long, some much shorter and smaller, some may bend and curve.
Another way of looking at them is thinking about modalities like different types of construction tools to build a house - all look different, do different things at different stages or times, and still help build the house
Like many therapists, I draw from a broad range of methods, theories and activities from counselling, from social work, and from psychology, as well as philosophy. I believe this better serves your unique needs, and, is aligned with my philosophy that there are a constellation of paths one can walk to heal, restore, learn and grow. So, while I have the three modalities I primarily pull from, I also acknowledge I bring in knowledge and skills from a range of places.
