ACT is an action-oriented approach stemming from both traditional behavior therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  

The focus in ACT is for clients to learn to accept uncomfortable emotions in order to commit to making necessary behavioral changes to help their life situations. ACT uses mindful behavior, attention to personal values, and commitment to action to improve client's emotional state.

*Sydney utilizes ACT

Art Therapy is a form of client-centered, experiential therapy.

Art Therapy uses the creative process as a therapeutic healing process.  This form of therapy utilizes expressive communication to give voice to experiences and empower clients.

Art Therapy allows individuals to explore their feelings, foster self-awareness, increase self-esteem, and decrease emotional symptoms.

Previous artistic experience or ability is not necessary for benefit from Art Therapy.

*Karen, Alyssa, Melissa, Elizabeth, and Raquel utilize art therapy

Christian-Based Counseling is an approach to therapy that incorporates Christianity into treatment in addition to other therapeutic approaches. It encourages individuals to explore their spirituality and faith to overcome challenges and find hope and meaning through social, emotional, mental, spiritual, and cultural engagement with the gospel.

All clinicians at Bloom honor each client's belief system, therefore Christian-Based Counseling is only utilized upon client's request.

*Melissa and Raquel utilize Christian-Based Counseling

CBT is an evidence-based form of talk therapy that helps you learn how to identify and change negative thought patterns that have influenced your behavior and emotions. 

*All clinicians at Bloom utilize CBT

Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) is a specific type of CBT treatment shown to improve symptoms resulting from traumatic experiences.

*Melissa, Sydney, and Alyssa utilize TF-CBT

DBT is an evidence-based cognitive-behavioral treatment developed by Marsha Linehan, PhD.  This form of therapy aids those struggling with intense emotions and negative emotional reactions. 

DBT focuses on acceptance and change through developing Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Effectiveness, and Emotional Regulation skills.

Distress Tolerance skills help you get through difficult times when your emotions are running high.  The skills allow you to soothe yourself in healthy ways. 

Interpersonal Effectiveness skills teach you to understand what your needs are in your relationships and develop effective ways of dealing with others.

Emotional Regulation skills involve learning to understand your emotions, to decrease the intensity of your feelings, and how to cope through your feelings without negatively reacting to them.

*Alyssa is a DBT Intensively Trained Therapist. All clinicians at Bloom utilize DBT.

*Bloom currently has a DBT Teen Program, which includes both Teen and Parent Group Sessions.

EMDR therapy, developed by Francine Shapiro, PhD, focuses on the idea that our brains have a natural way to heal from traumatic memories and events.  

Through the EMDR framework, emotional issues are viewed as a result of memories not being adequately processed. These unprocessed memories contain emotions, thoughts, beliefs, images, and physical sensations related to the event. 

EMDR uses eye movements, taps, tones, and other forms of rhythmic left-right (bilateral) stimulation to change the way that the memory is stored and utilize  the brain's natural healing, thus reducing and eliminating the problematic  symptoms.

EMDR is most commonly known for trauma treatment, however has been found effective with several other mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and disordered eating.

For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.

*Karen and Alyssa utilize EMDR

IFS therapy, developed by Dr. Richard C Schwartz, is an evidence-based psychotherapy which views the mind as a family, and the parts as family members interacting with each other. IFS is used to allow people to access, understand, and heal their protective and wounded inner parts and core Self.

According to the IFS model, parts often play three common roles: exiles, managers, and firefighters.

Exiles are parts that hold emotional pain and memories associated with those experiences.

Managers: protective parts that function to control surroundings and manage emotions and tasks to navigate daily life. Managers aim to keep Exiles contained and hidden from conscious awareness to avoid distress and pain.

Firefighters: parts that are activated when Exiles produce overwhelming, painful, or threatening emotions. Firefighters aim to inhibit those difficult emotions by any means necessary, such as unhealthy coping behaviors.

*Karen, Alyssa, Sydney, and Melissa utilize IFS

Mindfulness is a state of being fully present in the moment, without judgment of thoughts and emotions.  By focusing on the here and now in a calm way, it allows you to slow down and focus on your needs in the moment, versus reacting to your negative emotions.

Mindfulness aids clients in self-acceptance, stress-reduction, and increased appreciation for life.  Common mindfulness practices include meditation, body scans, mindful activities, and deep breathing.

*All clinicians at Bloom utilize Mindfulness

Psychodrama is an experiential form of therapy, that allows you to explore issues through action methods.  

Developed by Jacob L. Moreno, Psychodrama includes elements of theater to allow people to gain greater perspective of emotional concerns, conflicts, or other difficulties in a safe and trusted environment.  

Through Psychodrama you have the opportunity to evaluate your behavior, reflect on how a past event is getting played out in present situations, and more deeply understand particular situations in your life.

*Karen, Alyssa, and Elizabeth utilize Psychodrama

Sand Tray Therapy is a form of client-centered, experiential therapy.

Sand Tray Therapy provides a safe way to explore emotions when verbalizing becomes too difficult. This forms of therapy helps individuals address emotional stressors, resolve conflicts, remove obstacles, and connect to their inner self.  

Sand Tray Therapy involves use of figurines and a sand tray in which the client creates reflections of their own experiences, feelings, and struggles. Most often this method is used with children, but they can be used with all ages, as it explores symbolism and potential metaphors related to the client's life.

*Karen, Alyssa, Elizabeth, Raquel utilize Sand Tray therapy

Intuitive Eating is an evidence-based, mind-body health model, honoring both physical and mental health.  

Intuitive Eating was created by dietitians, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch in 1995.  This approach helps individuals honor health by listening and responding to direct messages of the body in order to meet their physical and psychological needs.

Intuitive Eating is not a diet or food plan.  It is an empowerment tool.

*All clinicians at Bloom follow Intuitive Eating principles

Health At Every Size® (HAES®)  is a movement through the Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH) working to promote size-acceptance, end weight discrimination, and lessen the cultural obsession with weight loss and thinness.  The HAES® approach acknowledges that well-being and health habits are more important than any number on the scale.

HAES® Principles include:

• Healthcare is a human right for people of all sizes, including those at the highest end of the size spectrum.

• Wellbeing, care, and healing are resources that are both collective and deeply personal.

• Care is fully provided only when free from anti-fat bias and offered with people of all sizes in mind.

• Health is a sociopolitical construct that reflects the values of society.

*All clinicians at Bloom follow HAES® principles