Sonia Wiesner

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

CBT is typically structured and short-term, focusing on providing practical "tools" to use in the present moment.Identify Troubling Situations: Pinpointing specific problems or conditions in your life. Become Aware of Thoughts: Recognizing your "automatic thoughts" and how you interpret these situations. Identify Negative Thinking: Determining if your thought patterns are contributing to your distress (e.g., "all-or-nothing" thinking or catastrophizing). Reshape Thinking: Actively reframing those thoughts to be more balanced and realistic.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a specialized type of cognitive-behavioral therapy originally developed to treat chronically suicidal individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, it is now widely used to help anyone who experiences very intense emotions. The word "dialectical" comes from the idea that two opposite things can be true at the same time. In DBT, the balance is between acceptance (accepting yourself and your situation) and change (working to change your behaviors and environment). The Four Core Skill Modules DBT is unique because it focuses on teaching four specific sets of behavioral skills: Mindfulness: The practice of being fully aware and present in the moment without judgment. It helps you stay grounded when emotions feel overwhelming. Distress Tolerance: Tools to help you get through a crisis or a painful moment without making the situation worse (e.g., "TIPP" skills or self-soothing). Emotion Regulation: Learning to identify, name, and change the intensity of emotions that are causing problems in your life. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Strategies to ask for what you need, say no, and navigate conflict while maintaining self-respect and healthy relationships.

Motivational Interviewing

MI isn't just a set of techniques; it is a mindset often described through four key elements: Partnership: The therapist and client work as equals. Acceptance: Respecting the client’s autonomy and their right to choose their own path. Compassion: Prioritizing the client’s physical and psychological well-being. Evocation: Drawing out the client’s own ideas and strengths rather than "installing" them from the outside. Core Skills (OARS) Practitioners use a specific set of communication skills to move the conversation forward: Open-ended questions (e.g., "What would be the benefits of making this change?") Affirmations (Recognizing the client's strengths and efforts). Reflective listening (Repeating or rephrasing what the client said to show understanding). Summarizing (Gathering the key points of the conversation to transition to the next step).

Family Therapy

Family Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the relationships and dynamics within a family unit rather than just the individual. The goal is to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and understand the "system" of the family to create a more supportive home environment. In family therapy, the "client" is the family as a whole. Even if one person is experiencing a specific struggle (like a child with ADHD or a parent with anger management issues), the therapy looks at how that struggle affects everyone and how everyone’s reactions affect the struggle.

Person-centered (Rogerian)

Person-Centered Therapy (also known as Rogerian therapy) is a non-directive approach that empowers the client to take the lead in discussions so that, in the process, they will discover their own solutions. It is based on the belief that every individual has the internal resources and desire for personal growth and self-actualization. In your practice, this means you act as a compassionate facilitator rather than an "authority" figure. Instead of diagnosing or providing direct advice, you create a safe, non-judgmental environment where the client feels free to explore their true self.