Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is an intervention that is commonly used to treat depression and anxiety. ACT incorporates elements of mindfulness and can be helpful for people struggling with ruminating thoughts. ACT is all about honing the observing self and being able to observe thoughts and feelings and allow them to come and go while also increasing one’s distress tolerance and capacity for feeling negative emotions. By developing the skill of observing your thoughts, you can then choose to detach from thoughts that aren't serving you and act on the ones that align with your values and bring you toward the life you want to live, which ultimately relieves suffering in and around you.  

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a widely recommended and evidenced based intervention used to treat PTSD symptoms and help people overcome their traumas. EMDR replicates the eye movements that occur when you're in REM (rapid eye movement), in which your eyes are darting back and forth. This stimulates the left and right brains and allows them to communicate, which is why we do a lot of problem solving in our sleep. Sometimes, due to wear and tear, we experience a block that prevents the left and right brains from communicating and fully processing our trauma. EMDR allows clients to process traumatic memories in session using eye movements. After treatment, clients feel empowered and are free to create new narratives of the painful memories.

Moreover, trauma doesn't always have to mean having to go through something violent and intense like combat or rape. Trauma is a normal response to an abnormal event. If you feel like you're experiencing a disconnect between your head and your heart, EMDR is a great avenue to explore. 

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

IFS identifies multiple sub-personalities or families within each person’s mental system. "These sub-personalities consist of wounded parts and painful emotions such as anger and shame, and parts that try to control and protect the person from the pain of the wounded parts. The sub-personalities are often in conflict with each other and with one’s core Self, a concept that describes the confident, compassionate, whole person that is at the core of every individual. IFS focuses on healing the wounded parts and restoring mental balance and harmony by changing the dynamics that create discord among the sub-personalities and the Self."  IFS can be useful for those hoping to better understand themselves and their triggers. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT involves changing negative thoughts and behavioral patterns. CBT can assist you in facing your fears instead of avoiding them and learning how to calm your mind and body. CBT emphasizes what is going on in the person’s current life, rather than what has led up to their difficulties. A certain amount of information about one’s history is needed, but the focus is primarily on moving forward in time to develop more effective ways of coping with life.