Treatment Methods

Malibu, CA EMDR Therapy Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) , is a treatment modality created by Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1990, which has since been empirically validated for use with a wide range of clients, issues, and pathologies.

EMDR treatment works by helping process distressing memories that result in dysfunctional emotions, beliefs and sensations, which once processed, the brain is free to incorporate future adaptive behaviors and mental health becomes possible. This is an integrative form of psychotherapy synthesizing elements from psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, experiential, physiological and interpersonal modalities. During EMDR treatment bilateral stimulation of the brain is achieved through eye movements, bilateral sound, or bilateral tactile stimulation coupled with cognitions, visualized images, and body sensations.

I provide EMDR treatment for children as young as the pre-school age, adolescents, and adults. I was trained at Dr. Shapiro's EMDR Institute. For more information about EMDR please refer to the following websites:

EMDR Institute

EMDR Network

Clinical Application of EMDR



Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) , focuses on changing negative thought patterns. CBT was designed to treat people suffering from depression; however it has been found useful with a number of mental health conditions including anxiety, oppositional defiant disorder, sex addiction, and substance abuse/addiction. Cognitive therapy is based on concepts from social learning theory and uses techniques from operant and classical conditioning models that influence thinking, acting, feelings, and bodily reaction patterns. CBT is generally a short term treatment method that focuses on specific problems that are occurring in the present.

I received intensive training in the Aaron T. Beck model, and use CBT as both a primary or supplementary treatment method in working with children, adolescents, and adults.

For more information about CBT and the Aaron T. Beck Psychopathology Research Center please refer to the following website:

https://aaronbeckcenter.org/beck/


Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) , is a treatment method developed by Marsha M. Linehan designed to treat people suffering from borderline personality disorder; however it has been found useful with a number of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, oppositional defiant disorder, sex addiction, and substance abuse/addiction. As a treatment method it is particularly helpful for those suffering from emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, interpersonal problems, self-harm, and suicidal behaviors. DBT combines cognitive behavioral techniques for emotion regulation with distress tolerance skills, acceptance, and mindful awareness derived from Buddhist meditative practice.

I received Linehan's professional training in DBT over a decade ago and have since been using it as an ancillary to treatment.

For more information about DBT and the Linehan Institute, please refer to the following website:

http://www.linehaninstitute.org/


Attachment Focused Couples Therapy (AFCT) , is a treatment method developed by Dr. Fink designed to work with couples who want to strengthen their bond or stop negative patterns in their relationship. Dr. Fink designed AFCT based on his training in attachment theory and uses techniques derived from the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI).

In AFCT, couples provide a history and narrative about their relationship which is used to identify each partner's style of attachment. Once attachment styles are understood and identified the couple is able to make changes to their individual attachment patterns.


Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy is a set of theories and therapies established in the early 1890's by Sigmund Freud and has been used in some form by every mental health practitioner since. Psychoanalysis offers an intensive therapeutic experience for children, couples, and adults who require a higher degree of therapeutic support. On average, patients in psychoanalysis attend treatment three to four times per week and are motivated to grasp and resolve their issues. Psychodynamic therapy, though traditionally a long term treatment can also be utilized as a short term treatment model.

Dr. Fink is a trained psychoanalyst and received his certificate from the Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis (ICP).




Offering Therapy and Counseling services: including: Couples Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Teen Issues, Group Therapy, Psychotherapy, Child Therapist, Adolescent Therapist

Serving the areas of: Malibu, Calabasas, Pacific Palisades, Agoura Hills, Santa Monica, CA | California


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