Introduction

Over the last few decades, innovations have produced exciting techniques for helping individuals and families change. Here is a brief description of various treatments that are available in our work together. There are "pros and cons" to any type of treatment. No one treatment is suitable for all clients nor for all problems. During your assessment, I will discuss treatment options available to you. If you need more information, you can check out links to other pages here on the web site. Other reference material may be available upon request. The choice is your to make and will be met with the support and respect that you deserve.

Please note that these are very general descriptions of the treatment methods that we might utilize. During our sessions I would be glad to answer any questions that you might have. Each of the treatment methods are currently used by other therapists in the field. But, because of differences in philosophy, training, or experience some methods are more widely used than others. Some techniques may seem unusual, especially if you have not heard of them before. I have chosen to train in these methods; there is substantial clinical or scientific evidence that they are effective. I believe that therapy should be a process of empowerment and/or healing so that you can move forward as rapidly as possible.

Most clients come into treatment wanting to understand the "why" of their situation and problem(s). Traditional forms of psychotherapy often explored the "why" with an insight-oriented approach. Often these involved an extensive kind of archeological approach. Using psychodynamic approaches counselors explored the past in great detail as both client and therapist weaving together the past with present behaviors. There is an enduring assumption that insight and understanding will almost automatically lead to positive change. However, I have often found that answers to the "why" rarely yield a swift and transformational change. In fact, disproportionate time spent reviewing one's painful past can sometimes be discouraging and even foster feelings of helplessness. Sometimes it can cause people to feel more stuck and hopeless in their situation in the short run. These methods may work effectively in a longer term format when treatment may require significantly longer time and cost. Many of the methods we may use in our work can produce useful insights but our emphasis is usually reaching your stated goals. And doing so in a way that fits for you.

Here are some of the services that I offer:

Marital/Couple Therapy

Often couples come in together for their first session to help get a better understanding of what is going on. The second and third sessions are utilized to gather detailed social history with each individual separately. After gathering this critical information, we can often work with couples to improve communication skills, and develop new ways of relating.. Sometimes it is necessary to work individually using one or more of the other techniques described here to resolve hurts, change unproductive patterns, and rekindle positive feelings.. Treatment may involve some homework "prescriptions" to help facilitate new change. Relationships are complex and differences in personality styles, family background, culture, and conflict resolution inevitably cause a snag. For more information on couples work check out my other link for more information. http://www.richardcosta.com/mrtherapy.htm

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Our thoughts are constantly changing and moving through our awareness like cars whizzing on a freeway. When thoughts and emotions become linked together, they often result in perceptions that are exaggerated or distorted. When these thoughts won't go away and when they come bundled with powerful emotions, they begin to disrupt or and over shadow our lives. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) provides clients with tools to recognize the sort of cognitive mistakes that we all make. It also provides people with techniques for confronting these unproductive thoughts and emotional states. To be successful at using this technique, clients will need to do some reading and use worksheets or brief journals to track your progress. Like any new habit, it will take some time to integrate this into a new way of thinking and behaving. For more information check the "Stress Management" and "Homework" pages.

EEG Neurofeedback

Forms of biofeedback have been in use for over 25 years. All forms of biofeedback use equipment to monitor different body functions and presents us information in the form of sounds and images. In doing so, clients can rapidly learn to minimize or eliminate a wide variety of symptoms and achieving a new level of physical and emotional balance. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, anger, ADD, and trauma are rooted in the brain and central nervous systems. Differences in genetics or in past experiences shape the body's response patterns to stress and other challenges. Neurofeedback works like "trainer wheels" for the brain. It is a form of training that brings about these changes by monitoring brain wave activity and empowering clients to change their emotional and physical state almost effortlessly. Often people are able to achieve a lasting reduction in their symptoms without medications or with a decreased reliance on them. Learn more about this "cutting edge treatment on another section of this web site. http://www.richardcosta.com/neurofeedback.htm

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR was originally developed to treat trauma and unresolved emotional grief. However, in recent years, this radical form of psychotherapy is now applicable to a wider array of emotional and psychological problems. This method uses different forms of stimulation such as rapid eye movements, hand taps, or auditory sound to stimulate a reprocessing of thoughts, emotions, and past experiences with amazing speed. During sessions, clients are able to revisit prior experiences and work through situations. This treatment helps to dramatically reduce the negative emotions connected with past and present experiences, and makes new responses more likely. For additional information on this treatment method click on this link. http://www.richardcosta.com/emdra.htm

Thought Field Therapy/Emotional Freedom Technique

These methods draw partially from other disciplines such as acupuncture, acupressure, and educational kinesiology. I often joke with clients that this method is higher on the "weird scale." However, its utility and fast response often makes it a useful tool to learn and use. Unlike acupuncture, there is no pain or needles. Clients use a sensory-motor exercise to change one's thinking and emotional state. I have found this method to be helpful about 70% of the time. If you can get past how silly it seems to do the procedure, it can yield interesting and rapid results. It can be a helpful tool in one's psychological "tool kit" in dealing with anger, anxiety, and phobic reactions. http://www.richardcosta.com/tft.htm

Binaural Sound

Another useful tool is the use of a variety of recordings or devices that enable us to achieve moderate to deep states of relaxation or to remain alert. Binaural sound or light stimulation (audio-visual entrainment) can be helpful in assisting many to change how they think and feel. The body responds rapidly to various frequencies of sound and light. These techniques have been known for many centuries but their power and use have only been understood over the last three decades. To learn more about achieving of rapid onset of sleep, relaxation, and focused thinking, view that section of this site devoted to this exciting technology available to you. Learn More