Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT)

The American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) defines dance/movement therapy as the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote the emotional, social, cognitive and physical integration of the individual.  Clients may engage in self-led movement, breathwork, shared rhythm, artwork or visualization to increase self-awareness, empathy and self-care. DMT is a bottom up approach which begins with reconnecting with your body to explore and express emotions. This approach helps to cut through resistance and uncover what the client needs to restore functioning, increase vitality, and build resiliency.  

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Internal Family Systems is an approach that explores “parts” of oneself through self-reflection, movement, artwork, journaling, imagery and symbolism. Client’s are assisted in connecting with these parts which may present as a felt-sense in the body, an emotion, a memory, an image or a thought. These parts have “jobs” which may be to protect hurt or vulnerable parts, avoid triggers or keep others at a safe distance. Parts often are referred to as “symptoms” such as anger, anxiety, depression, dissociation, grief, etc. Once connected, clients lean how to dialogue with parts to learn why they do the jobs they do, how we can support the parts so they don’t have to work so hard, and ultimately restore “I’ energy which is characterized by curiosity, compassion, clarity, connectedness, creativity, confidence, courage, and calm.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment model designed to assist children, adolescents, and their families in overcoming the negative effects of a traumatic experience. TF-CBT is a skills-based model, and it requires the child and parent to practice its components in order to be optimally effective. Parents and children are commonly asked to practice skills at home. The goal of TF-CBT is to allow both child and parent to continue to develop their skills and communication techniques in a healthy manner. Gabrielle uses many of the same components to work with adults in addressing trauma at all ages.

Core components of TF-CBT include:

• Pscyhoeducation and parenting skills
• Relaxation
• Affective regulation
• Cognitive processing of the trauma
• Trauma narrative
• In vivo mastery of trauma reminders
• Conjoint child-parent sessions
• Enhancing future safety and development

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a modified type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Its main goals are to teach people how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships with others.

DBT was originally intended to treat Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), but it has been adapted to treat other mental health conditions beyond BPD. It can help people who have difficulty with emotional regulation or are exhibiting self-destructive behaviors (such as eating disorders and substance abuse disorders). This type of  therapy is also used to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).