Gretchen Ekins
I specialize in working alongside individuals to develop insight, awareness, and coping skills to be able to get to a place of effective value based living, and ultimately, toward healing. I am experienced in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), ACT, Schema Therapy, Self Compassion, and Mindfulness.
Therapy is an ongoing process—understanding yourself more clearly, responding to life more intentionally, and continuing to become in ways that feel more grounded, effective, and fully your own.
My business name is Becomingness Therapy and Consultation, the idea behind that is my core belief that we, as humans, are continually becoming.
First session
Starting out, I’ll ask various questions related to lifestyle, mental health (current and history), what you’ve tried, what has worked, and what has not been super helpful. We can collaborate to determine how to most effectively navigate your needs and your goals for not only treatment, but other aspects of life, such as, socializing, work limits and boundaries, family dynamics, etc.
Strengths
I have a strengths-based & collaborative approach. Being that one of my specialty areas is DBT, I believe that everyone IS doing their best AND they can do better. I can sit quietly and allow the time and space for allowing an emotional response and processing AND challenge and be direct in an empathetic and compassionate way. Each person is the expert in themselves and I am the expert in guiding people to meet their own needs and live in line with their values.
Ideal clients
Perhaps anxiety, depression, intense emotions, or relationship struggles are taking a toll. You want to understand why things feel so difficult and find ways forward that actually work. Together we'll explore what's keeping you stuck while developing practical skills to navigate emotions, relationships, and life's complexities. Our work recognizes that you can be capable and struggling, uncertain and hopeful, all at once.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is the idea that our emotions, thoughts, and behaviors are all interconnected and influence one another. I generally use this as a foundation to explore how we can use effective value-driven behaviors to influence our thoughts and emotions.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT skills were developed to help people practice living their most valued life. For some who experience intense emotion or the absence of emotion, it can bring an emotional freedom. It’s a balance of acceptance and change, skills focused on Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Distress Tolerance, and Mindfulness.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Mostly, I lean into the values work components of ACT. Often times, when people are struggling with mental health they fall out of living in line with their values. By learning about what is important for you, we can develop a plan for moving forward in a valued way.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions2301 Sun Valley Dr, Delafield, WI 53018, Ste 202
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Licensed in
- WisconsinLicense 9682-123