I believe therapy is most effective when the clinician presents themselves as the client does-a person with a unique past and personality. When you take out a therapist’s humanity and lived experience, there is no true therapeutic connection and trust from the client. I strive to be both a person and therapist through my conversational, authentic, and collaborative style. I tailor services to a client's needs through a blend of EMDR, IFS/Parts-Work, Polyvagal Theory, and DBT to address not just current symptoms but the root of a your challenges in a more well-rounded way than just talk-therapy alone.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In the first session, I like to focus on getting to know you first as a person. We will review your intake and further discuss your reasons for therapy, current symptoms, and goals. I know and understand that meeting someone new-especially when you're going to divulge some pretty personal information to!-can be overwhelming and nerve-wracking! I follow the client's lead in doing what I can to make them feel the most comfortable.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Through insights from my own personal and professional experiences, I have found that including aspects of my challenges help to normalize and validate one's own. I also consider myself a "professional student" due to my love of learning the most recent trauma-informed modalities through professional trainings and books. Because of this, if one of my approaches aren't meeting your needs, I take the time to find and learn something new that will.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I am experienced in serving adults ages 18+ with symptoms of trauma, anxiety, BPD, somatic complaints, dissociation, and other mood disorders. I also have extensive experience working with Veterans/Service Members and the Senior population
About Catherine Ferguson, MA, LCPC, LPC, CCTP-1
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VirtualMy treatment methods
EMDR
I completed EMDR Basic Training in 2021 through The EMDR Institute. Although primarily used for those experiencing dysregulation from traumatic experiences, it is also helpful in many other conditions. I am working towards EMDR Certification.
Somatic
I received a certificate for Integrative Somatic Trauma Treatment through The Embody Lab in 2022. Somatic Psychology focuses on the mind-body connection and one's internal physical experience during times of distress. Through the use of mindfulness, movement, and psycho-education, clients are guided in exploring their inner worlds through the senses versus only cognitions.
Polyvagal Therapy
Polyvagal Theory explains how your nervous system affects your ability to feel safe enough, or not at all. This new concept has helped give compassion towards trauma survivors experiences by explaining their body's responses-or lack thereof-in service of survival. I utilize this in practice by educating clients on the various states of their nervous system to better identify dysregulation and how to return to a feeling of safe enough. I have taken multiple trainings and often incorporate this concept into EMDR therapy.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
I am IFS-informed and utilize aspects of IFS and parts-work to better understand a person's inner world and how these parts have expressed themselves, both negatively or positively, in order for one to function. When doing EMDR, I engage clients in learning more about their parts prior to reprocessing. I also engage parts as a stand alone practice.