Renew Counseling

Renew Counseling

Modalities Explained

The world of counseling offers an array of tools, techniques, and approaches, commonly known as "modalities." Below is a brief overview of the various techniques you may encounter at Renew Counseling.

A quiet office detail at Renew Counseling

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

A structured trauma therapy that helps the brain process distressing memories so they no longer dominate the present.

EMDR is a unique therapy developed to alleviate distress from traumatic memories, often used for treating trauma. Through guided eye movements, a therapist helps clients reprocess these memories, making them feel less intense and more distant. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR is brief and direct, often providing relief in fewer sessions. If you’re grappling with unsettling memories, EMDR might be the transformative approach you need.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Relational work for couples and individuals that names the emotional patterns underneath conflict and reshapes them into something more secure.

Both EFT and EFIT are emotion-centered therapeutic approaches grounded in the belief that emotions play a pivotal role in identity and decision-making. EFT, utilized with couples, focuses on fostering and restoring emotional bonds, recognizing negative interaction patterns, and emphasizing emotional connection to strengthen relationships. EFIT, tailored for individuals, draws from similar principles, concentrating on understanding, regulating, and transforming emotional experiences. Both methodologies stress the transformative potential of emotions and aim to promote deep emotional awareness and responsiveness. In both contexts, the therapist guides clients to achieve greater emotional congruence, resilience, and improved interpersonal bonds.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

A parts-based approach that helps you understand and care for the different sides of yourself instead of fighting them.

IFS is a therapeutic approach that recognizes multiple sub-personalities or “parts” within an individual. These parts may have conflicting roles or desires, which can lead to internal strife and emotional challenges. IFS therapy helps clients understand, appreciate, and integrate these various parts to achieve greater self-awareness and healing. The therapist works with the client to heal their wounded parts and balance their internal system.

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

A long-form approach that explores how early relationships and unconscious patterns shape the way you show up in your life today.

This therapy emphasizes unconscious processes and the influence of past experiences on present behavior. Clients are encouraged to explore unresolved issues and internalized conflicts from their past to understand how these issues impact their current relationships and behaviors. By bringing these unconscious thoughts and feelings to the conscious mind, clients can gain insight, resolve inner conflicts, and improve interpersonal relationships. The therapist acts as a guide, helping the client to recognize and understand deep-seated patterns and beliefs.

Townsend Model of Therapy

An integrative model that combines psychological growth with character development, drawing on Dr. John Townsend's work on boundaries and relationships.

At its core, the Townsend Model suggests that personal growth thrives in an environment characterized by grace (unconditional acceptance), truth (transparent, honest feedback), and time. Such nurturing surroundings foster the development of a person’s “character”. Conversely, in the absence of this environment, “character deficits” may arise, leading to insecure attachment styles, a lack of boundaries, rigid thinking patterns, or feeling unequal to others. These deficits can manifest as symptoms within self (e.g., depression), unhealthy relationships, and decreased functioning in daily life. Our counseling journey aims to pinpoint the root causes of these symptoms. We’ll work together to promote healing and growth at the foundational character level, within a space of grace and truth. As we address these deep-rooted issues, the alleviation of symptoms naturally follows.

Which approach is right for you?

You don't need to choose a modality before starting therapy — we'll figure that out together. A free 15-minute consult is the right first step.

Modalities Explained

The world of counseling offers an array of tools, techniques, and approaches, commonly known as "modalities." Below is a brief overview of the various techniques you may encounter at Renew Counseling.

EMDR is a unique therapy developed to alleviate distress from traumatic memories, often used for treating trauma. Through guided eye movements, a therapist helps clients reprocess these memories, making them feel less intense and more distant. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR is brief and direct, often providing relief in fewer sessions. If you’re grappling with unsettling memories, EMDR might be the transformative approach you need.

Both EFT and EFIT are emotion-centered therapeutic approaches grounded in the belief that emotions play a pivotal role in identity and decision-making. EFT, utilized with couples, focuses on fostering and restoring emotional bonds, recognizing negative interaction patterns, and emphasizing emotional connection to strengthen relationships. EFIT, tailored for individuals, draws from similar principles, concentrating on understanding, regulating, and transforming emotional experiences. Both methodologies stress the transformative potential of emotions and aim to promote deep emotional awareness and responsiveness. In both contexts, the therapist guides clients to achieve greater emotional congruence, resilience, and improved interpersonal bonds.

IFS is a therapeutic approach that recognizes multiple sub-personalities or “parts” within an individual. These parts may have conflicting roles or desires, which can lead to internal strife and emotional challenges. IFS therapy helps clients understand, appreciate, and integrate these various parts to achieve greater self-awareness and healing. The therapist works with the client to heal their wounded parts and balance their internal system.

This therapy emphasizes unconscious processes and the influence of past experiences on present behavior. Clients are encouraged to explore unresolved issues and internalized conflicts from their past to understand how these issues impact their current relationships and behaviors. By bringing these unconscious thoughts and feelings to the conscious mind, clients can gain insight, resolve inner conflicts, and improve interpersonal relationships. The therapist acts as a guide, helping the client to recognize and understand deep-seated patterns and beliefs.

At its core, the Townsend Model suggests that personal growth thrives in an environment characterized by grace (unconditional acceptance), truth (transparent, honest feedback), and time. Such nurturing surroundings foster the development of a person’s “character”. Conversely, in the absence of this environment, “character deficits” may arise, leading to insecure attachment styles, a lack of boundaries, rigid thinking patterns, or feeling unequal to others. These deficits can manifest as symptoms within self (e.g., depression), unhealthy relationships, and decreased functioning in daily life. Our counseling journey aims to pinpoint the root causes of these symptoms. We’ll work together to promote healing and growth at the foundational character level, within a space of grace and truth. As we address these deep-rooted issues, the alleviation of symptoms naturally follows.