Why One Approach Isn't Enough: Introducing My Therapy Toolbox

When people think of therapy, they often image a single approach - just talking through life's struggles in a quiet room. But therapy today is far more dynamic and individualized. In my practice, I draw form a range of therapeutic modalities because healing isn't one-size-fits-all; and your therapy shouldn't be either.

This post introduces my new blog series: Inside the Toolbox. Each post in this series will break down one of the therapeutic methods I integrate into my work, offering a closer look at what it is, how it works, and how it might support your healing journey.

What Is Integrative Therapy?

Integrative therapy means using multiple therapeutic models rather than relying on a single approach. This allows therapy to be flexible, responsive, and tailored to you - your history, your goals, and your emotional rhythms. No two people heal in the same way, and integrative therapy honors that.

Benefits of using multiple therapy approaches:

• Sessions adapt to your changing needs

• Techniques can support both insight and action

• You're not limited to one framework

• You can explore root causes and build real-time coping strategies

My Therapy Toolbox

In the coming posts, I'll explore these methods in depth, but here's a quick overview of the tools I regularly use with clients in Scottsdale and online:

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

  A well-researched method for healing trauma, EMDR helps the brain reprocess distressing experiences so they feel resolved, not relived. It's especially useful for PTSD, anxiety, and childhood trauma.

  
  

• ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy)

  A rapid, image-based therapy that reduces emotional pain associated with traumatic memories - often in just a few sessions. ART uses bilateral stimulation and visualizations to shift how the brain stores difficult experiences.

  
  

• IFS (Internal Family Systems)

  This approach helps you understand and connect with your inner "parts" - the protective, reactive, or wounded parts of self - so you can build more self-leadership and compassion.

  
  

• Post Induction Therapy (PIT)

  Developed by Pia Mellody, PIT addresses developmental trauma, codependency, and boundary issues. It helps clients heal from childhood wounds and reclaim their sense of self-worth.

  
  

• CBT and DBT

  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are practical, structured methods for building emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and behavior change.

  
  

• Experiential and Psychodrama Techniques

  These creative approaches allow clients to externalize inner dynamics and "try on" new roles and insights through action, rather than just words.

  
  

• Deep Brain Reorienting

  A newer neurophysiologically informed trauma therapy that targets the brainstem-level responses connected to early relational wounds and shock trauma. DBR helps clients process deep, often preverbal experiences at the body's core orienting center - before defenses and narratives take over.

  
  

• Mindfulness and Somatic Work

  Mind-body techniques help clients increase awareness, regulate the nervous system, and build tolerance for emotional experience.

Why Understanding Therapy Methods Matters

I believe therapy should be a collaborative process; not something that happens to you, but something you're involved in. When clients understand how therapy works, they tend to feel more empowered, grounded, and engaged.

Educating my clients about the methods we're using:

• Helps build trust

• Reduces confusion or fear

• Encourages autonomy in the healing process

What's Coming in This Series

Each post in this series will explore one therapy modality in more detail - what it looks like in practice, what it's useful for, and how it supports healing. Whether you're already familiar with some of these or just starting to explore therapy, this series is designed to help you understand what's possible - and how we can tailor your therapy experience to meet your needs. The first method I will be covering is EMDR: What It Is and Why It Works.

Interested in Working Together?

If you're looking for an experienced therapist in Scottsdale who uses a blend of evidence-based approaches to support real and lasting change, I'd love to connect. You can learn more about my therapy services here or reach out to schedule a consultation.