My Core Clinic Framework

No two individuals are the same, therefore I believe therapy shouldn’t be “one size fits all.”

In order to provide a flexible and tailored therapy experience, I use an integrative approach. This means that I draw from a wide range of evidence-based therapeutic models. This may mean that we either chose a specific modality that would be the best fit for you for the course of your treatment, or we may take and combine specific elements from different modalities and blend them together. Whichever route we choose, it will be based on your specific needs, history, preferences, and goals. 

While I have training in many areas, my practice starts from being person centered, and then focused psychological strategies emerge from four core modalities:  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT). 

Specifically for working with children, I also offer Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), which is an evidenced based approach for helping children with anxiety, stress, emotional regulation, trauma, and social development.

Depending on your unique situation, I may also recommend or use parts of other therapeutic modalities such as when working with:

  • Trauma & Exposure Focus: Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Written Exposure Therapy (WET), Flash Therapy.

  • Depth & Relational Focus: Interpersonal Therapy, Person-Centered/Humanistic Therapy.

  • Body & Expression: Somatic Experiencing.

  • Children: CBIT, Behavioural Modification, Parent-Led-Therapy Skill Training

The Main Methods of My Practice

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is often considered the “gold standard” for treating a wide variety of mental health presentations. I use CBT as it has the highest level of evidence for many mental health issues, and it provides practical strategies, efficient ways of measuring change, and a clear  framework for understanding how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence one another. It is highly flexible, allowing us to identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns, and test out new behaviors in the real world.

2. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFT)

While exploring the problem is necessary, I believe in prioritizing the solution in order to create positive forward momentum. SFT is a modality that is focused on the future and making things go right, as opposed to focusing on what has gone wrong. SFT is excellent for helping us to identify a clear, positive future to work towards.  SFT also helps us shift our gaze from “what is wrong” to “what we can make right”. It keeps therapy goal focused and efficient. Instead of staying stuck in the problem and amplifying past hurt or failure, we focus on the strengths that we have, amplify past instances of success, and on building a desired present and future. We collaborate to set clear, trackable goals and identify the strengths and resources you possess to make those changes happen.

3. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT is a powerful approach that helps us identify our values, decide on ways to make our life feel meaningful, and to relate to our difficult thoughts and feelings effectively, rather than constantly fighting against them. This is an excellent approach that moves beyond “reducing symptoms”, and focuses on ways to make life feel more purposeful and worth living.

4. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

When we need to heal past wounds to free the present, then EMDR is a very useful treatment modality. EMDR is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps the brain reprocess and integrate difficult memories. It was designed specifically to help people heal from traumatic exposures by desensitizing traumatic memories and undoing the maladaptive lessons that those traumatic memories imparted. It is incredibly effective when we have identified that past experiences and memories are fueling current distress. By processing these traumatic memories in a safe, attuned therapeutic relationship, we can reduce their lingering power so that these memories no longer control your reactions in the present. EMDR also helps shift negative core beliefs (like “I am unsafe” or “I am not good enough”) that feel emotionally real, even when you logically know otherwise.

Get in touch

Reach out today to schedule your first appointment. Email directly or fill out the form below.

Doctors please send referrals & relevant documents to: 

dante@dantepsychology.com