Counseling Services with Cathy Wilson, LPC, ACS

If you are looking for a specific form of therapy, there is some information below about the approaches I use.

► I am skilled in evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), solution-focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, and EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).  And so that you receive the best counseling services possible, I use the skills that fit what you need the best.

► I may use assessment tools related to measuring progress in therapy, or related to a specific issue you are dealing with.

► I feel it is important to check in with you periodically to make sure you are getting what you need while working with our counseling center. As a result, I may ask for feedback related to your goals in therapy, or whether you feel you are making progress.  This is another way you receive the best counseling services possible.

If I am not the best fit for you, I will do my best to help you find someone who is!

What is Evidence-Based Therapy?

An evidence-based therapy is one that is backed by research.  It is also recognized by the National Institute of Mental Health as a therapy that works. I maintain my skills in these areas and use the techniques that are appropriate for what you need help with. Also, I make sure that the strategy we choose is a good fit for you as a person.

A summary of some of the evidence-based therapies we provide are listed below:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

People work on many issues with a counselor using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, some of these are:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Anger
• Relationship problems
• Stress Management

One of the main goals with this type of therapy is to identify thoughts that are not helpful, or self-defeating, and change those thoughts to healthy ones.

A part of this work is to identify core beliefs that are driving those unhelpful thoughts, and examine those beliefs.  Very often these beliefs are distorted.  Yes, sometimes we really do have deeply held beliefs that don’t make sense!  It can be easier to do this when you have a therapist helping you.  When a person changes these beliefs, it can lead to increased well-being and a more positive outlook on life.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

The name of this type of therapy makes the goal pretty obvious, you are trying to quickly find solutions to problems. Essentially, the therapist uses tools to shift a person’s perspective about the problem. It is also a positive, strengths-based type of therapy that helps people to see the things they are already doing to cope and solve problems in life.

Too often, people don’t see their own strengths!  When you work with me, I make it a point to emphasize the strengths you already have.  Then, you can use those strengths even more to help yourself.

One of the reasons I use this type of therapy is that it can speed up the process of working with a therapist.  As much as I find this work meaningful, I know that the best therapists are always “working their way out of a job,” so that you don’t feel the need to keep coming back.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

I am trained in EMDR, which is primarily used to treat trauma and associated problems such as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). It can also be adjusted slightly to be used for other problems such as weight loss. You can find more detailed information about EMDR at the website for the EMDR International Association.

This type of therapy is focused on reprocessing a traumatic experience in a way that encourages a person to change their perspective and/or core beliefs that have developed as a result of the traumatic experience, or existing beliefs that were worsened by the experience.

It’s important to work with a therapist who is trained to use EMDR, because there is a very strict protocol to how an EMDR session is conducted.