Rachelle Dunn

Anxiety is a normal response to stress, prompting us to prepare or protect. However, anxiety can become overwhelming-- with excessive worry, intrusive thoughts and physical symptoms which can interfere with daily life. A skilled counselor can assist you by increasing your understanding of triggers, thoughts and behaviors which contribute to increased anxiety and assist you in practicing healthy coping skills which will reduce the intensity of the anxiety response to daily stress.

Depression describes prolonged periods of intense sadness which include persistent feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, worthlessness and loss of interest in activities. Depression can affect us both physically and emotionally and interfere with our ability to function in work and relationships. Therapy can increase our understanding of triggers, thoughts and behaviors which may contribute to depression and can help change unhealthy patterns in order to alleviate depressive symptoms.

CBT is a structured, present-focused therapeutic approach which is effective in treating a number of common mental health problems. CBT is based on the premise that our thoughts and interpretations of situations are more powerful in determining our emotional responses and reactions than the situations themselves. In CBT, we learn how to change unhealthy thinking patterns in order to achieve improved mood and remove mental barriers which may prevent us from reaching our goals.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. DBT therapy techniques are based on the key concepts of mindfulness and acceptance. The practice of DBT techniques improves and strengthens emotional regulation, healthy coping skills and interpersonal relationships.

EMDR therapy was developed to relieve distress for those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). EMDR therapy facilitates the processing of painful traumatic memories in order to bring these memories to a more adaptive resolution. EMDR can eliminate or reduce distress related to trauma and facilitate reformulation of associated negative beliefs. EMDR uses a three-pronged approach which addresses past trauma, current triggers and future rehearsal.

Trauma is the experience of a distressing event which causes long-term effects on our health and well-being. Examples of traumatic events include war, crimes, accidents, fires, violence, abuse and natural disasters. Thoughts and memories of the trauma may persist long after the event has passed. Long term trauma-related symptoms include emotional instability, flashbacks, nightmares, relationship difficulties and physical symptoms such as headaches or nausea.