Therapeutic Approaches

Art therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship. Art therapy is used to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, reduce and resolve conflicts and distress, and advance societal and ecological change.

Sand Tray therapy allows a person to construct their own microcosm using miniature toys and coloured sand. The scene created acts as a reflection of the person’s own life and allows them the opportunity to resolve conflicts, remove obstacles, and gain acceptance of self. It is often used with children but can be applied to teens and adults as well.

Play therapy is a method of therapy that uses play to uncover and deal with psychological issues. It can be used on its own, particularly with children, or along with other therapies and medications. In this form of therapy, a therapist encourages a child to explore life events that may have an effect on current circumstances, in a manner and pace of the child's choosing, primarily through play but also through language.  Play therapy, can help individuals communicate, explore repressed thoughts and emotions, address unresolved trauma, and experience personal growth and is widely viewed as an important, effective, and developmentally appropriate mental health treatment. 

Christian counsellors use both the disciplines of theology as well as psychology. The goal of Christian counselling is to help people regain a sense of hope for their life that is found in Jesus Christ. A client may think that the use of scripture is the only component to a session. Christian counsellors use both the disciplines of theology as well as psychology.

Christian counselling will focus on helping clients achieve a better understanding of themselves and their relationship to God while using counselling concepts to overcome anxiety, depression, grief, problems in their relationships, and past/present trauma.   Christian counselling allows a client to connect their mental health treatment with their faith creating a more holistic approach to therapy.

Sometimes we get stuck in a rut in our thinking. This can even lead to changes in our behaviour or mood. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) helps you become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking so you can view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way.

CBT can be a very helpful tool ― either alone or in combination with other therapies ― in treating mental health disorders, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or an eating disorder. But not everyone who benefits from CBT has a mental health condition. CBT can be an effective tool to help anyone learn how to better manage stressful life situations.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a modified type of cognitive behavioural 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.

It can help people who have difficulty with emotional regulation or are exhibiting self-destructive behaviours (like disordered eating and substance use disorders). DBT can also be used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Gottman Method therapy that includes a thorough assessment of the couple’s relationship and integrates research-based interventions based on the Sound Relationship House Theory. It was developed by Drs. Julie and John Gottman. 

The goals of Gottman Method couples therapy are to disarm conflicting verbal communication; increase intimacy, respect, and affection; remove barriers that create a feeling of stagnancy; and create a heightened sense of empathy and understanding within the context of the relationship.

Learn more about our Gottman Therapy program here.

Jungian therapy is a form of psychotherapy that originated in the theories of Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, who found that many of his patients suffered from deeply rooted feelings of gloom and inadequacy. He began to speak about the "divine" inside of people, which he called their "self." He felt that we had overlooked this divine aspect in psychology.

Jungian therapy, sometimes known as Jungian analysis, is an in-depth, analytical form of talk therapy designed to bring together the conscious and unconscious parts of the mind to help a person feel balanced and whole. Jungian therapy techniques vary but often involve working with dreams, symbols, and mythology. The therapist will help the client explore these concepts and understand the meaning they hold for the individual.

Mindfulness therapy is the psychological process of bringing one's attention to the internal and external experiences occurring in the present moment, which can be developed through the practice of meditation and other training.

Mindfulness therapist allows you to observe and label thoughts, feelings, sensations in the body in an objective manner.

Narrative therapy is a method of therapy that separates a person from their problem by assigning them the role of "narrator" in their own story. It encourages people to rely on their own skills to minimize problems that exist in their lives. Throughout life, personal experiences become personal stories. People give these stories meaning, and the stories help shape a person’s identity. Narrative therapy uses the power of these stories to help people discover their life purpose.

Narrative therapy separates people from their problems. This allows therapists to help people externalize sensitive issues. Objectifying an issues may lower a person’s resistance and defenses. It allows people to address issues in a more productive way.

Postmodern psychology is an approach to psychology that questions whether an ultimate or singular version of truth is actually possible within its field. In postmodern therapy, the goal is to deconstruct (take apart) the dominant story, examine alternative narratives, and ultimately construct rich rather than impoverished personal narratives.

Postmodern therapy engages three great traditions within which truth and subjectivity of the Mind have been explored throughout history:  

• Science - the truth and philosophy of knowledge 
• Art - the truth of beauty and aesthetics 
• Mysticism - the truth of religion and spirituality

The are three main types of postmodern therapies:  Narrative Therapy , Solution-Focused Therapy, and Collaborative Language Systems Therapy.

Psychodynamic therapy is an approach that focuses on the psychological roots of emotional suffering. Its hallmarks are self-reflection and self-examination, and the use of the relationship between therapist and patient as a window into problematic relationship patterns in the patient’s life. Its goal is not only to alleviate the most obvious symptoms but to help people lead healthier lives.

The key phrase with psychodynamic therapy is “How does that make you feel?” It has a holistic approach to the client, focusing on the whole experience of the client rather than the specific problem they face.

Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) places focus on a person's present and future circumstances and goals rather than past experiences. It places far more importance on discussing solutions than problems.

In this goal-oriented therapy, the symptoms or issues bringing a person to therapy are typically not targeted. The therapist encourages those in treatment to develop a vision of the future and offers support as they determine the skills, resources, and abilities needed to achieve that vision successfully.