Many therapies have been created to help people struggling with emotional and psychological difficulties. With so many therapies available, it can be difficult to find the best fit for your needs and concerns. While there are no guarantees that a specific therapy will work for you, we do know that certain therapies work for many people experiencing a specific type of concern (e.g., depression, anxiety, substance abuse). These types of therapies are termed “evidence-based.” An evidence-based therapy is one that has been scientifically investigated and been shown to effectively treat a particular concern or problem. At Portland Psychotherapy, we focus on providing compassionate and evidence-based therapy to help people create purposeful and fulfilling lives.
At Portland Psychotherapy we understand that each person has his or her own unique needs and learning style. We tailor the therapies we use to best fit the needs of our clients and work collaboratively throughout therapy to maximize their results. We also understand that people seeking therapy are more than just their problem or diagnosis. Our providers work from a strengths-based approach and use the gifts and skills of our clients to help them make meaningful changes in their lives.
To give you a sense of the types of therapy that we do at Portland Psychotherapy, here are 6 therapies that we practice at our center and that have been shown by research to be effective:
1. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that examines the interactions among thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how these interactions impact people’s well-being. Unlike most forms of CBT, ACT does not focus on changing the content of thoughts, but focuses on changing a person’s relationship with her thoughts. ACT uses mindfulness practices to help people become aware of and develop an attitude of acceptance and compassion toward painful thoughts and feelings. Additionally, ACT heavily emphasizes the role of values to help people create meaningful lives. Put simply, ACT is about letting go of the struggle with difficult thoughts and feelings in order to pursue a rich and purposeful life guided by your values.
2. Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP)
The focus of FAP is the therapist-client relationship, specifically, the use of this relationship to create deep and meaningful changes in how the person relates to self and others. According to FAP, the events that occur in the therapy are powerful opportunities for learning new ways of being with yourself and with others. Through the creation of a close and ethical therapist-client relationship, the client has the chance to receive compassionate feedback on his impact on people, as well as try new, more helpful ways of being in close relationships.
3. Behavioral Activation for Depression (BA)
BA is designed to treat depression. BA focuses on the depressed person’s behaviors that keep her stuck in depression. The therapist helps the client examine her triggers for depression-related behaviors, as well as the effects of depressive behavior on her mood and her pursuit of important activities (e.g., attending work). Acting as a coach, the therapist encourages the client to engage in behaviors that disrupt the cycle of depression. Clients who participate in BA learn how to examine the interactions among their behaviors and moods, how to stop the cycle of depression, and how to prevent future depressive episodes.
4. Mindfulness-Based Therapies
Mindfulness-based therapies share the common goal of helping people develop purposeful and non-judgmental awareness of the present moment in order to pursue a better life. A variety of techniques are used to help people cultivate an attitude of acceptance and compassion toward their experiences and themselves. Through mindfulness, people experience new opportunities to choose different ways of acting and being in the world.
5. Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
PE is specifically designed to treat the symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Early in therapy, the client creates a list of situations that are safe, but typically avoided because they cause anxiety. Together with the therapist, the client learns to approach each situation on the list, starting with the easiest ones, and stay in each situation for a specific amount of time. By staying in previously avoided situations, the client develops new skills for handling anxiety, learns how reevaluate their perceptions of danger, and increases their self-confidence. Additionally, PE includes processing the traumatic event by talking about it in a safe and supportive atmosphere. Because approaching avoided situations and reimagining traumatic events can be very difficult, therapists work in a compassionate and collaborative manner to help people achieve success with PE.
6. Behavior Therapy
Behavior therapy helps a person understand how changing his or her behavior can lead to positive changes in his/her life. Often, the focus is on helping the person engage in positive or value-consistent behaviors. The therapist works with the client to examine the barriers to or difficulties in engaging in these types of behaviors. The therapist also teaches the client to analyze his own behavior, as well as the effects his behaviors on mood and other areas of life. This approach tends to be more time-limited and focused on a specific problem that the person is encountering.
If you’ve been looking for professional therapist in Portland Oregon, look no further!
At Portland Psychotherapy, we are committed to helping people overcome anxiety, depression, and other life problems so that they can live fuller and more meaningful lives.
Our approach is active and focused on our clients’ values and specific life situations. Rather than simply helping people to feel better, we help them live better.
We follow the newest developments in the field and even research new treatments, and strive to bring this knowledge to our work with clients well before other clinics.
Our practitioners offer treatment with several types of psychotherapy focusing on a wide array of problems. Our goal is to bring effectiveness and compassion to all our work.
Learn more about our therapists here
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