We are not born knowing how to deal with everything we face on a daily basis. We are born with the capacity to learn yet we are not born with knowing how to deal with every adversity. Recently I saw a plaque that said, “Sometimes we win, and sometimes we learn”. This is so true. Many adults see failure as “I did something wrong.” Yet, the truth is failure is an opportunity to learn and grow.
We as human beings experience common symptoms such as: stress, relationship problems, guilt, shame, depressed mood, difficulty sleeping, negative thinking, can’t turn thinking off, grief, losses, fatigue, adjusting to chronic illness, adjusting to putting a parent in a nursing home, marital problems, or difficulty managing conflict. Other adults come to therapy to deal with sexual addiction, alcohol or drug abuse, boundary problems, abuse issues (domestic violence, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, or spiritual abuse. Some adults come to therapy to learn how to parent their teenager, or their children, or they come for just 1 or 2 sessions to work through some decision they need to make.
Most human beings have no trouble going to their physician when they are physically struggling, yet as a society still have a stigma about seeing someone for our behavioral health issues. Making an appointment to see a therapist needs to be as common as taking care of a migraine headache. Sometimes life throws curve balls and we need help learning some coping skills, or have another human being provide an empathic presence.
Kay does provide talk-therapy techniques such as: cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy, compassion-focused therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) and Emotional Freedom Technique, facing forward trauma therapy (Gentry), mindfulness, focusing, and sand tray therapy (expressive art therapy). Kay uses many tools in her therapy toolbag to help you get the best results from your investment of time, energy, and money.
Sand tray therapy is an evidence-based treatment for adults. Talk therapy works for some issues, but when a therapist uses both modalities of sand tray (expressive art therapy) it allows the client to work through issues that the thinking brain cannot figure out. What the brain can’t work out the hands will.
When we use talk therapy, we are accessing the thinking part of the left brain, but when the brain is overwhelmed, we need to use a right brain technique which allows self-expression in a non-verbal manner. This allows clients to express themselves using symbols and miniatures which creates a place of therapeutic distance. The adults, children and teens that I have used sandtray with are amazed how healing and powerful it is.
During a sandtray session a client is asked to build a world in the sandtray and the client chooses miniatures and symbols to express their experiences, problems, emotions, and relationships. Another way to view sandtray therapy, is to see working with sand as creating a metaphor with symbols and miniatures to describe what you feel, think, or experience in life. The therapist provides safety, and unconditional positive regard, reflects and processes your tray with you. We do not interpret your work because it is your unique expression and it has meaning for you, and you alone. Check out my webpage tab “RESOURCES” and click on “More information on counseling” and watch the video describing sandtray for parents or the sandtray for children.
In addition, I have a video with testimonials from people who have had EMDR. If you have any questions please email me or call me today. Remember Never, never, never give up. There is hope call today! (217) 679-7314 or Email Kay at kgottrichlcpc@springfieldtrauma.onmicrosoft.com.
Trauma/PTSD
Eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) and emotional freedom technique (EFT) are both used to reduce emotional reactivity to traumatic events as well as symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Clients will learn mindfulness techniques and self-calming strategies to increase self-calming and reduce distress. An adjunct modality to use in conjunction with EMDR is sandtray therapy. Sandtray therapy allows the client to access the left side of the brain which is necessary for a person to self-regulate. Kay also utilizes dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) to help clients learn emotional regulation skills, distress tolerance skills, and mindfulness skills. She also uses compassion-focused therapy to address shame issues.
Depression
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is used to identify and replace thoughts and beliefs that support depression. Clients will learn the connection between feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Kay will teach conflict resolution skills (active listening skills, I-messages, assertive communication, anger management skills, and self-calming skills).
Apart from those, Kay teaches mindfulness skills to decrease avoidance and to increase awareness of thoughts. Through these skills, clients learn to accept their experiences rather than trying to change or control circumstances. Dialectical behavioral therapy may also be used to help with emotional regulation skills, distress tolerance skills, and mindfulness. Sandtray therapy is an evidence-based treatment that is utilized as well.
Anxiety
Through cognitive-behavioral therapy, clients learn to identify and challenge fearful self-talk and replace it with positive and empowering self-talk. Kay will help clients learn problem-solving strategies to address anxiety (worries). Clients will learn self-calming skills (progressive muscle relaxation, breathing techniques, visual imagery, body scan, Calm, Safe Place, and mindfulness). EMDR therapy is another option for clients to choose to address triggers.
Chronic Pain
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is used to assist clients in learning how to decrease pain behaviors as well as how to identify negative thought patterns that maintain feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness. Kay provides psychoeducation on emotional cycles, behavioral cycles, and thought cycles of chronic pain (developed by the Mayo Clinic).
In addition, Kay will teach self-regulation techniques (i.e., progressive muscle relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, guided imagery, mindfulness, and “Calm Safe Place”). Kay will assist clients in developing a personal plan for difficult days. EMDR is used to reduce pain symptoms as well. Sandtray therapy is utilized as well to provide clients a non-verbal modality to express struggles and frustrations you may experience as a person living with chronic pain.
Insomnia
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia is used to help clients who have difficulty sleeping. Psychoeducation is provided as well as relaxation and calming strategies.
Springfield, Illinois 62704
Phone: (217) 679-7314