Approach
It all begins with a thought, and then a step.
The approach is holistic—comprehensive and authentic.
New Paths Counseling utilizes researched evidenced-based techniques that are effective in reducing uncomfortable symptoms, while providing skills and knowledge for a lifetime.
New Paths Counseling therapists are experts at Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Ecosystemic Structural Family Therapy (ESFT).
Focus on strengths: I firmly believe that any person who makes a conscious decision to engage in therapy demonstrates strength and, time after time, I have witnessed these same people recognize the resiliency within themselves that has always been there!
Client-centered and Collaborative: Experiences are more than we think. An individual’s perception is developed and framed through various life events, experiences, memories, people, and life stages. There are a multitude of factors and circumstances within the microsystem of the individual which impacts, and is impacted by, the macrosystem of society and our communities. By taking a holistic, or person-in-environment and environment-in-person approach, an individuals needs can be better understood and addressed correctly while we work together. You are the expert in your life. You know your thoughts, your feelings, and your experiences. Our philosophy is to work together to meet your needs.
Goal-oriented: Utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy and positive psychology, with underpinnings of psychoanalysis to develop clarity. I have witnessed people formulate a truly comprehensive, whole picture perspective which influences their spiritual, mental, emotional, and relational growth within themselves and with others.
Solution-focused: Working together, we will take a here-and-now approach to help alleviate stress responses in the present, while developing deeper understandings which may be influenced by past events. You may be asking, what are these approaches you are referring to, Sean? Let’s look.
Holistic and Systems Therapeutic Approach
Systems Theory looks at the various interactional relationships between and within a system which act on one another. Through this approach, it is believed that everything is interconnected, interrelated, and interdependent. There is an exchange of energies produced which can be positively enriching or depleting within the system. Understanding the behavioral patterns or feedback loops can help people to make adjustments designed at creating new interactional patterns with others, as well as themselves. Research has shown this modality to be extremely effective when working with families as well as individuals. In summation, there are various stimuli within the environment which influences the present moment. Our past events also influence the present moment, and these experiences can generate an emotional response which influences our cognitions and behaviors. Making these connections to the interplay between the person and the environment can help to bring clarity and restore balance. If you feel that this could be helpful and you would like to talk more, visit here.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is present focused therapy that is clinically proven to treat psychological concerns. CBT is designed to be a short duration, hands-on intervention compared to psychoanalysis developed by Sigmund Freud. In CBT, the therapist and the client work together to develop an understanding of how present thoughts influence behaviors and the way the person feels. This evidenced based intervention is among the most effective in treating anxiety, depression, mood regulation, and displeasure with life.
As humans, we are constantly assessing our environment, whether we are consciously aware or not. As such, we have a constant dialog occurring in our minds designed to process our current surroundings, as well as, our past. When faced with a fear or uncertainty, a sad memory, or a volatile event we develop quick ways to cognitively process and interpret sensory information from the situation as a means to ensure survival. This is good. However, over time, our perceptions may become irrational as the thought does not match the intensity or the need of new situations. When this occurs, we respond behaviorally, “out-of-sorts”, and may experience an emotional fluctuation which manifests into anger, panic, or isolation. We will explore and evaluate our thoughts to recognize cognitive patterns or automatic thoughts, discuss the emotional and sensory responses which influenced the thoughts, and see how the behavior or consequence was influenced by this sequence. The result is a skill that can be utilized in the here-and-now, and for a lifetime. In my experience as a psychotherapist, I have seen the immediate freedom for people when they see clearly how their thoughts were driven by emotions (many emotions associated with past events), which triggered a behavioral response, influencing their well-being. If you feel that this could be helpful and you would like to talk more, visit here.
Psychodynamic
Thought processes are linked through our neural pathways, which assist us in quickly assessing our environment, whether or not something is a threat. We are hardwired to survive. Humans have over 86 billion neurons in the brain, with an estimate of 100 trillion neural connections. This is astonishing! Some of these neural pathways can be quite strong and impact the ways in which we respond. Analysis is a psychological technique designed at getting to the root of intrapsychic conflict or the origins of distress. This technique is designed to develop an understanding of a current problem connected to unresolved conflicts during life course phases of childhood and adolescence. This technique can be utilized in conjunction with CBT and the holistic approach to begin to develop a healthy sense of self and clarity. If you feel that this could be helpful and you would like to talk more, visit here.