EMDR is a psychotherapy treatment that uses either eye movements or bilateral tactile or auditory stimulation to help a person heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of traumatic life experiences. When something disturbing happens, our brains store it in a way that feels like the event is either going to happen again at any moment, or is happening now.
When some event happens that may be similar or just has an element that reminds us of the disturbing event, the brain reacts as if the original disturbing event is happening. EMDR helps to move the storage of that memory to a more functional part of the brain that can experience the event as actually being in the past. The events that used to trigger the brain into overreaction no longer have the same effect. The person can now react to the present without the past interfering. A prevailing theory for how EMDR works is that paying attention to both the bilateral stimulation and the recalling of a memory makes each task compete for working memory resources.
Because neither task can capitalize on working memory completely, the original distressing memory cannot be retrieved in its entirety – in other words, it gets blurred in its retrieval. This blurred memory then becomes the memory that is retrieved in future recall. Meta analyses of controlled clinical trials have supported the efficacy of EMDR in treating PTSD, depression, anxiety, as well as subjective distress.
ART is a newer evidence-based treatment for a number of conditions including PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, addiction, low self image, job-related stress, grief, OCD, phobias, cutting, and others. It is a unique approach that combines eye movements with techniques that engage a person’s creativity in order to replace negative images with positive ones. Once the negative images are replaced, the symptoms associated with those images dissipate. It is a quick therapy with most clients seeing dramatic improvement in just one session. Indeed, a course of ART does not typically last more than a few sessions. A defining feature of ART is that the client does not need to talk about the distressing event in order to rescript a negative memory to a positive one. I was trained in ART by its founder, Laney Rosenzweig.
This service, unique to Concord Counseling Associates, uses noninvasive EEG biofeedback to help a person learn or strengthen their meditation practice. Meta analyses of controlled clinical trials on the psychological impact of meditation have found that meditation can significantly reduce the symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and chronic pain.
To facilitate the learning and maintenance of a meditation technique that will lead to the desired outcomes (whether that be meditation for meditation’s sake, to balance the autonomic nervous system, or to obtain the psychological benefits of meditation), the individual is provided auditory feedback from an EEG device which leads to more efficient learning of meditation techniques, a shorter time to experience the calming effects, and long-lasting benefits of the meditation technique.
The tenets of improv– active and reflective listening, connection to others, and the ability to go with the flow– make it well-suited as a methodology to help reframe our ways of thinking. In a sense, the practice of improv teaches us to see our lives from a more open, non-judgemental perspective which allows for a deeper exploration of possibility.
Improv also improves interpersonal relationships by helping one learn to be more attuned to others, accepting what one cannot change about themselves, and enhancing our feelings of interpersonal trust and safety. From a polyvagal perspective, improv can help individuals engage their social connection system to help down-regulate hyperarousal.
The Polyvagal Theory, proposed by Stephen Porges, is a theory of the autonomic nervous system and how it is impacted by trauma. Before Porges, psychologists saw the autonomic nervous systems as consisting of two parts: the sympathetic (excitatory) and the parasympathetic (inhibitory) nervous systems. Porges discovered that there are two parts to the parasympathetic nervous system : the dorsal vagal pathways and the ventral vagal pathways.
The dorsal vagal pathway is responsible for responding to a life-threatening experience and is the one involved in the “freeze” reaction in “fight, flight, or freeze.” The dorsal vagal pathway then immobilizes the person by shutting down functioning and leading to a feeling of shame, hopelessness, and feeling overwhelmed. The ventral vagal pathway is in charge of the response to feeling safe and helps engage what Porges refers to as the “social engagement system.” The ventral vagal pathway slows our heart rate and breathing and allows us to connect, engage, and learn from others as well as helping us engage in play.
To simply summarize the work of Porges: humans have a built-in neural system responsible for helping us engage with others. It is through the engagement of this system that we feel safe and the mechanism by which healing from traumatic events happens. I integrate the tenets of the Polyvagal Theory into my work to help you reach a state of safety so that you can successfully process issues in a way that leads to long-lasting growth.
IFS is a transformative approach to therapy that invites individuals to explore the complexity of their inner world in a safe and compassionate way. The theory behind IFS views individuals as having a system of protective and wounded inner parts led by a core self. These parts each have their own unique emotions, beliefs and desires. However conflicts between these parts or with one’s core self can lead to distress and ineffective behaviors.
By deepening our understanding and relationship with these parts, IFS helps foster internal harmony and healing. This inviting approach empowers individuals to discover their own inner resources, cultivate self-compassion, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. IFS therapists have said that IFS teaches “people to become their own therapists.” Whether you are seeking therapeutic support or simply curious to understand yourself better, IFS provides a welcoming space to explore the fascinating dynamics of your internal world.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a type of psychotherapy that combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with Eastern mindfulness practices. DBT is designed to help individuals who are experiencing intense emotional experiences and engaging in self-destructive behavior. DBT uses specific skill building to help individuals develop coping skills to manage their emotions, better cope with stress, and improve their interpersonal relationships. DBT is very helpful for people with emotional dysregulation. Emotional dysregulation is characterized by an increase in sensitivity, reactivity, and a slow return to a baseline emotions state.
In DBT, the therapist creates a validating environment that helps the client increase behavioral control through learning new skills. These skills can include cognitive-based strategies like distress-tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional regulation skills as well as mindfulness and acceptance strategies. Originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder, research has shown that DBT is helpful in treating a wide range of conditions including PTSD, substance use disorders, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety.
Having spent years helping C-level executives realize their full potential, I provide a wealth of experience and expertise in navigating the complexities of the business world. I have particular experience working with individuals who are founders of technology startups. We will work together to manage the intricacies of your personal and professional lives, guaranteeing a harmonious blend that results in increased output, improved health, and unmatched success.
Using my in-depth understanding of leadership techniques and executive psychology, I provide individualized advice that is in line with your unique objectives. My strategy combines tried-and-true methods with innovative perspectives to give you the tools you need to solve challenges, make wise choices, and promote constructive change inside your company. As your trusted advisor, I am committed to helping you unlock your full leadership potential. I’m here to offer the guidance and support you need to reach your goals, whether they involve improving your work-life balance, honing your strategic thinking, decision-making, or communication skills.
Psychodynamic therapy focuses on unconscious processes as they are manifested in the client’s present behavior. These unconscious processes can often drive maladaptive behavior and psychodynamic therapy aims to help the person discover unconscious thoughts and motivators so that they can change their behaviors. In psychodynamic therapy, this is done by increasing a person’s self-awareness and understanding of the influence of the past on present behavior.
Another mechanism used in psychodynamic therapy is helping a person understand and work through negative and contradictory feelings and repressed emotions in order to improve their sense of self and their interpersonal relationships. This type of therapy is best suited to help a person change an aspect of their identity or personality and/or to integrate important developmental learning from earlier in life that was missed.
CBT-I is a first-line approach for insomnia and has been proven to be effective, more so than medication, with many different types of insomnia. Research shows that CBT-I produces clinical improvement in 75% of those suffering from insomnia both in the short term and at several year follow-ups. In fact, CBT-I is more effective at treating insomnia than CBT is at treating depression and anxiety. I was trained in CBT-I by Dr. Gregg D. Jacobs, the developer of the therapy.
The focus of CBT-I is: 1) The thoughts surrounding maladaptive sleep patterns and insomnia; 2) The feelings contributing to the insomnia; and 3) The behaviors the person is engaging in that are maintaining the insomnia. These are addressed through CBT-I activities such as relaxation training, bed restriction, homework, and psychoeducation.
MBC is the evidence-based practice of systematically and routinely assessing your progress through the measurement of symptoms and functioning. This information is used to inform our treatment decisions and enhances your engagement in the treatment process. It also helps us to know whether our current treatment plan is working and whether it should be adjusted to improve your outcomes.
I will routinely ask you to report on your outcomes using brief, standardized surveys that will allow us to see your progress over time. I will share the results with you and we will discuss those results in the context of your goals and our agreed-upon treatment plan and adjust treatment as necessary.
I am a pioneer in the research field on the psychological impact of social technologies and devices on adolescents and young adults. I have published books and articles in highly-ranked peer-reviewed journals and have translated that research into effective therapeutic methods. Technology addiction therapy involves working with parents and the affected child in order to bring better balance to the child’s technology use. This is done by using cognitive and behavioral techniques such as modeling, education, and rewards systems. I understand the challenges parents face in today’s digital era.
That’s why I have dedicated myself to providing solutions for families struggling with technology addiction. My research-informed therapy, developed through years of extensive work, offers a holistic approach to reconnecting families and helping teenagers overcome their dependency on technology. I am deeply passionate about making a real difference in the lives of families like yours. With my guidance, you will gain a deeper understanding of the underlying psychological dynamics driving technology addiction and develop effective strategies to help your teenager break free.
97 Lowell Road (inside of Concord
Chiropractic). Concord, MA, 01742
© 2024 Concord Counseling Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.
