Some of you may be looking for a specific therapeutic modality; Others may be looking for a support navigating a specific goal or challenge.
Either way, or somewhere in between, this is to offer some clarity regarding the various acronyms specific to the work I do.
Please feel free to reach out with thoughts and questions, especially considering ways these modalities may be helpful (or not so much) for you. Contact
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ACT:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on: (1) accepting your thoughts, emotions, and experiences as valid and relevant; (2) identifying your values and beliefs; and (3) exploring ways to align your actions with your self-awareness.
For example, we may practice mindfulness meditations to strengthen self-knowledge and then talk about ways to show up in relationships authentically.
My take on ACT: I love this modality because it gently allows for deep exploration of self, whoever that self may be! I see this as a way to amplify diverse voices and reduce shame and silencing. It can be empowering, and a wonderful way to reduce stress from dissonance between one’s internal and external experiences.
IFS
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a very specific model and training program that only informs my practice, I am not an IFS therapist. That being said:
IFS offers an approach to healing in which you consider the various parts of yourself, and ways those parts interact and ultimately support your whole self.
For example, in exploring childhood memories you may notice that an aspect of you has been exiled and from there gain new insights to your self and experiences.
My take on IFS: I see IFS as an opportunity to extend loving awareness to all the parts of you. The more I read about IFS, the more I see it as an opportunity to illuminate and understand with compassion.
ERPT
Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERPT) is a structured progression of interventions to reduce compulsive behaviors. With me, it is client-led. The steps include slowly paced, incremental, mindful exposures to situations that activate compulsive behaviors – and exploring those experiences with the hope of reducing or eliminating the compulsive behaviors.
For example, you may want to connect more with friends but are isolated due to fears and compulsive behaviors surrounding restaurants. At your pace, we will together interact with various aspects of restaurants to practice being okay with enough of the experience so that you can, say, meet a friend for coffee.
My take on ERPT (or ‘ERP Therapy’): This is courageous work that can be so empowering! I love the experiential growth that happens with ERPT. I move oh-so slowly and continually check in with the client-centered goals in this work. Moving through fears and avoidance and reducing compulsive behaviors is so freeing, like catching your breath on a beautiful mountain summit!
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Often, these are incorporated into the other modalities I offer: Nature-based therapy; Somatic therapies; Creative expression and art therapies; and Ketamine-assisted therapy.
These are the briefest explanations of profound theories and interventions, we’re just at the metaphorical trailhead here with hope for a great journey!
– Cat
Cat Stone
she/her
MA MEd LPCC ERYT500 CPYT
Cat Stone 