Modalities
Therapy modalities, also called counseling modalities, comprise different categories of therapy. They are similar to physical therapy, which involves different techniques, such as heat, cold, ultrasound, or taping, to treat an injury. Psychological therapy modalities include different approaches to improving a patient’s overall well-being.
- psychology.org
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Is an evidence based therapeutic approach grounded in the understanding that the human mind is composed of multiple distinct parts, each with its own voice, role, and perspective. Rather than viewing the self as a single, unified identity, IFS sees each person as a system of inner parts—some that take on protective roles to manage pain or navigate challenges, and others that carry difficult emotions or past wounds that have been suppressed or "exiled." Through developing a compassionate relationship with these parts, individuals can cultivate inner harmony, self-leadership, and lasting change.
IFS has proven effective in addressing a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, low self-esteem, relationship challenges, addiction, and recurring behavioral patterns that no longer serve the individual. It offers a non-pathologizing, empowering framework for healing and personal transformation.
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
is an evidence based therapy that works on a neurological level to help people recover from trauma and emotionally distressing experiences. When something deeply upsetting happens, the brain sometimes doesn’t fully process it, and the memory can become “stuck,” continuing to trigger painful emotions or reactions long after the event.
EMDR helps the brain reprocess these memories so they no longer feel as intense or overwhelming. It does this by having you recall the memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements, tapping, or sounds—which activates both sides of the brain. This process supports the brain in “unsticking” the memory and storing it in a healthier, more adaptive way.
Over time, the memory loses its emotional charge, and the distress associated with it becomes easier to manage. EMDR has been shown to be effective in treating trauma, anxiety, grief, and a range of other emotional challenges.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP)
Is a body-centered therapeutic approach that integrates somatic awareness with emotional and cognitive processing to support healing of the mind, body, and spirit. Rooted in neuroscience and trauma theory, SP focuses on the physical sensations that hold the imprint of trauma and stress, helping individuals safely tune into these bodily experiences in the present moment.
Through gentle, mindful attention to the body, clients can begin to process and release stored tension or incomplete defensive responses. This may involve re-enacting a protective movement, allowing sensations to complete their natural cycle, or accessing comforting internal resources. By doing so, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy fosters new, embodied experiences that can shift one’s relationship to trauma, promote resilience, and restore a sense of safety and integration.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
Uses eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help the brain process and reframe traumatic memories. This gentle yet powerful approach allows individuals to change their emotional response to painful experiences, reducing the intensity of distressing symptoms and creating a healthier relationship with the past.