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Therapeutic Specialties

 

At Circles of Grace, we take pride in offering services with evidence-based methods in order to provide “best Practice” treatment for our clients. We are committed to staying up to date with the proven methods of treatment relating to individual, couples and group therapy.

Below are a few of these methods and practices.

Psychodrama

Research has overwhelmingly shown that psychodrama therapy is beneficial and helps with:

  • learn to boost emotional intelligence and awareness
  • effectively navigate conflict
  • develop safe outlets for painful emotions
  • process grief
  • improve empathy
  • effectively work through traumas
  • learn how to actively work through conflict issues — especially those that come from close relationships

Psychodrama allows our clients to process intense emotions related to traumatic events in a safe environment. All the therapists at Circles of Grace have experienced psychodrama on a personal level. We value the positive results of this modality of treatment, as a result, you will see that most of the therapists are in active trainings with psychodrama. Psychodrama offers creative ways for our clients to heal and solve unresolved issues. Psychodrama is one of the benefits clients experience when they come to Circles of Grace. Learn more https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychodrama

Some up-to-date research

Giacomucci S, Marquit J. The effectiveness of trauma-focused psychodrama in the treatment of PTSD in inpatient substance abuse treatment. Front Psychol. 2020;11:896. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00896

EMDR

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a structured therapy model that encourages the participant to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which produces a reduction of the intensity and emotion associated with the memory of the trauma. EMDR therapy is an extensively researched, effective therapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms.

Learn more https://www.emdria.org/

Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-oriented method for the resolution of trauma. Events that dysregulate the nervous system, can get “stuck” in our physiology. These stuck states are more widely known as fight, flight, or freeze states. When our bodies are stuck in these states, we often experience symptoms which may include: Anxiety, restlessness, feeling disconnected, disoriented, hypervigilance, easily startled, sexual apathy, feeling fidgety, easily irritated, slowed down, numb, or difficulty experiencing joy.

The SE approach helps clients expand resilience by gently completing responses that were intended for protection during the time of the trauma event. By bringing completion to the “stuckness” our nervous system can return to a healthy ebb and flow.

Learn more https://traumahealing.org/

Attached are two videos from Peter Levine, the founder of Somatic Experiencing.

LifeSpan Integration

Lifespan Integration (LI) is a gentle, body-based therapeutic method which heals without re-traumatizing. LI therapy helps people connect unpleasant feelings and dysfunctional patterns with the memories of the past events from which these feelings and strategies originated. After LI therapy, people find themselves spontaneously reacting to current stressors in more age-appropriate ways. After several sessions of LI, clients have reported that they feel better about life, are more self-accepting, and are better able to enjoy their intimate relationships.

Learn more https://lifespanintegration.com/.

Attached is a video of Peggy Pace the founder of LI

Internal Family Systems
Internal Family Systems is an evidence-based model of therapy. The model works with inner parts of self to integrate towards wholeness. IFS is a newer empowering movement in understanding parts of the mind that help individuals heal.

Learn more https://ifs-institute.com/

Attached is a video of Dr. Richard Schwartz, the founder of IFS, explaining the Internal Family System Model.

Recognizing & Treating Trauma

We are all wired to connect and form secure relationships. When something disrupts our ability to be close to others it can be traumatic – tremendous fear, loss of control, and profound helplessness can overwhelm us.

We can flow between states of intense shock, rigorous denial, deep hurt, sudden disgust, intense anger, and suffocating guilt quickly. All these intense feelings are real, and need to be respected. In fact, much of this is a natural response to trauma.

Trauma can come in many forms:

      • Shock or Acute Trauma from an incident, accident, or assault
      • Chronic Trauma from repeated and prolonged exposure to stress or abuse
      • Developmental Trauma from early life circumstances
      • Complex Trauma from varied and multiple life events

You are not alone!

Together, with our specially trained Trauma Therapists, we can help you overcome the negative impact of trauma on your life. The healing process starts with education and support to regulate emotion. Next, you’ll work on creating emotional safety through specific techniques you’ll learn from your Therapist. Lastly, know that growth beyond the trauma is possible – creating a new balanced life with healthy living skills is available to all, and we’d love to help.

Contact Us

Whom We Serve

Areas of specialization, or “Client Focuses” or “Practice Focuses,” concern the categorization of people that therapists main area of expertise lie within when working with individuals. Our therapists focus on the following groups (but are not limited to!):

  • Men
  • Women
  • LGBQ
  • Teens
  • Christian
  • Mormon (LDS)
  • Atheist
  • Spanish-speaking
  • … and many undefinable types!

Clinical Approach and Orientation

A broad array of philosophy, cognitive science, and biology contribute to modern psychology today. At LifeStar, we have honed in on key approaches that influence our work. Our individual therapists thematically use and blend several systems of thought to address a broad spectrum of positive psychology.

These “types” of therapy can include:

  • Attachment Theory
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Emotionally Focused Therapy
  • Family Systems
  • Anger Management
  • Equine-assisted Therapy
  • Positive Psychology

Additional Specialty Certifications

Within the profession of Psychology, certain systems and approaches develop internal certifications, usually associated with an affiliated association. LifeStar Salt Lake proudly has therapists certified in the following:

  • Lifespan Integration (LI)
  • Somatic Experiencing (SE)
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

All Issues Addressed

Specific areas of mental health are professionally identified as “issues” and concern the diagnosis of recognized psychological pathologies. Here is a limited list of what we can address in counseling (please reach out and ask us if you don’t see a topic you need covered):

Of note, we recognize a broad spectrum of issues that unfortunately get the label of “addiction.” We acknowledge that the term “addiction” gets used too loosely and too frequently. We at LifeStar avoid labeling anyone as an “addict”.

Anxiety

Abuse

Anger

Bipolar

Compulsivity

Depression

Divorce

Drug Abuse

Fear

Gambling

Grief

Infidelity

Neglect

OCD

Panic/ Panic Attacks

Paranoia

PTSD

Postpartum

Self-harm

Shame

Suicide