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Services Offered
 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Research by psychologists and others have clearly shown that our thoughts are very powerful determiners of our moods and behaviors. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a process of uncovering the thoughts at the "root". Then these thoughts are examined to determine whether they are accurate and useful or need changing Homework is often assigned to practice new thoughts and behaviors. Significant changes in mood and behavior can be accomplished using these techniques. For children, often these underlying thoughts are uncovered using Play Therapy. New, more healthy thoughts can be incorporated within Play Therapy as well.
Family Therapy
Families have many assets and strengths. Family Therapy involves uncovering these strengths and also teaching new ways of responding that may not currently be used by the family. Respectful communication is emphasized, and families are often given homework to practice new skills in between sessions. Parents are their children�s best teachers and part of the goal of Family Therapy is supporting parents who may be overwhelmed or confused by their child or teen�s behavior.
Marital Therapy
Couples Therapy is often indicated when couples are unable to resolve their differences, communicate clearly and maintain closeness. This can manifest in many ways including a chronic angry and frustrated pattern, increasing distance, or one or both partners looking outside the relationship for closeness. Marital Therapy focuses on building the skills and behaviors of a healthy relationship. Much of this we know from the extensive research on couples that has already been done. This research tells us the basic structure of what it takes to be successful in a marriage relationship. Then each couple uses their unique characteristics and strengths to define their relationship in a way that works for them. Sessions are used to deeply understand difficulties, help partners listen to each other in new ways, and to develop creative change strategies. Couples are challenged to try out these new methods at home. Specific homework assignments are given each week. While Marital Therapy is often challenging, the rewards gained from a satisfying relationship are well worth the effort.
Play Therapy
Play is the most natural way for children to communicate their thoughts and feelings. A trained Play Therapist “listens” empathically to the child’s communication. In this way, the child’s issues and concerns are deeply responded to, in a manner that is natural to the child. Then new ways of thinking about the issues can be incorporated into the play therapy. Play Therapy is in many ways Cognitive Therapy in a modality that the child is most receptive to.
Behavior Therapy
Behavior Therapy is almost always combined with Play Therapy to achieve maximum results. New behaviors are identified, weekly goals are set, and charts are used to track the changes that are targeted. Children are often delighted to find that their parents have goals and charts too.
School Consultation and Observations
An observation at the child�s school or daycare is often helpful, particularly if most of the child�s difficulties are in the school setting. Speaking with teachers by telephone is also helpful in understanding the child when a school visit is not possible.
Sand Tray Therapy
Sand Tray Therapy is a depth therapy that can be used by children, teens and adults. Based heavily on the depth psychology of Carl Jung, Sand Tray Therapy is often used in conjunction with other therapies to gain deeper insight into issues that are difficult to resolve. For example, trauma and abuse that occurred at an early age are often more easily accessed by nonverbal therapies, such as sand tray and art. In Sand Tray Therapy clients create a scene in the sand tray using the sand and miniatures that are often very symbolic. Sand Tray Therapy provides a way of working out conflicts, distortions and challenges that may be preventing the person from moving on from difficult experiences.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy(EAP) is an experiential therapy where clients learn about themselves and their families using horses. Working with a team consisting of a horse specialist and a psychologist, participants learn about themselves and their relationships by engaging in activities with horses. After the activity, clients actively engage in discussion of the thoughts, feelings and insights they gained. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is a powerful agent for change, often clients gain insight and solutions into difficult or longstanding problems in a way that makes rapid change possible.
EAP is not horsemanship or horseback riding. Almost all of the activities are done with activities on the ground. There is no need for participants to be familiar with horses. A large part of the horse specialist�s job is to provide safe activities, and ensure that safe procedures are followed.
More information about EAGALA can be found by clicking on the following link: http://www.eagala.org
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