Individual Therapy
Individual therapy is a type of psychotherapy where I work with you one-on-one to address your mental health concerns, emotional issues, and personal growth goals. I am always client-centric, ensuring that our sessions are tailored to your unique needs and experiences, so you feel empowered on your healing journey.
How does individual therapy work?
Individual therapy allows you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a safe and confidential environment while receiving support, guidance, and strategies to improve your overall well-being. Individual therapy can be helpful for a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, and stress management. Depending on your needs and preferences, it can be conducted in various formats, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or mindfulness-based therapy.
What type of therapy is practiced at PAX?
Juan Pablo offers four areas of specialty within individual therapy. Click the links below to read more about each:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, which is a form of therapy that is used to help individuals process traumatic experiences and alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychologist Francine Shapiro developed EMDR therapy in the late 1980s, and it has since been widely used to help individuals who have experienced trauma, anxiety, phobias, and other emotional issues.
During an EMDR session, Juan Pablo guides the client through bilateral stimulation techniques, such as eye movements, hand tapping, or auditory tones. In contrast, the client recalls distressing memories, thoughts, or sensations related to the traumatic event. Bilateral stimulation is believed to help the brain process traumatic memories by activating neural pathways that facilitate adaptive information processing and emotional healing.
EMDR therapy typically consists of eight phases, including history-taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and reevaluation. Juan Pablo helps the client identify and target specific traumatic memories or negative beliefs, and then guides them through reprocessing the memories in a safe and controlled manner.
EMDR therapy aims to help individuals reprocess traumatic memories and experiences in a way that reduces emotional distress, negative beliefs, and physiological arousal associated with the trauma. The goal is to help the client integrate the traumatic memories into their life story in a more adaptive and less distressing way, leading to symptom relief and improved emotional well-being. EMDR therapy has been shown to be effective in treating trauma-related disorders, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely used and evidence-based form of psychotherapy that focuses on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts and beliefs influence our feelings and behaviors and that by changing our negative or distorted thinking patterns, we can also change our emotional responses and actions.
In CBT, Juan Pablo works collaboratively with the client to identify and challenge maladaptive or harmful thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health symptoms. He helps the client develop more accurate, balanced, and constructive ways of thinking, which can lead to changes in their emotions and behaviors.
CBT is typically structured and goal-oriented, with specific techniques and exercises to help clients learn new coping skills, problem-solving strategies, and ways to challenge and modify unhelpful beliefs. These techniques may include cognitive restructuring, behavioral experiments, exposure therapy, relaxation techniques, and mindfulness practices.
CBT is used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. It is highly effective in helping individuals develop more adaptive ways of thinking and behaving, improve their emotional regulation, and achieve long-lasting symptom relief and overall quality of life. CBT can be delivered in individual therapy sessions, group therapy, or self-help formats and can be tailored to meet each client’s unique needs and goals.
Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy (SIP)
Spiritual Integrated Psychotherapy (SIP) is an approach to therapy that integrates spiritual or religious beliefs with traditional psychotherapy techniques to help individuals address psychological, emotional, and spiritual concerns. SIP acknowledges the importance of spirituality and faith in healing and well-being. It aims to help individuals connect with their spiritual beliefs and values as part of the therapeutic process.
In SIP, Juan Pablo works with the client to explore their spiritual beliefs, values, and practices and how these may impact their mental health and overall well-being. He helps the client integrate their spiritual beliefs into the therapy process, using techniques aligning with their religious or spiritual background.
SIP may combine traditional therapeutic techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychodynamic therapy, with spiritual practices, such as prayer, meditation, mindfulness, or scripture study. Juan Pablo may also help the client explore existential or meaning-making questions, address moral or ethical dilemmas, and find purpose and direction through a spiritual lens.
SIP can benefit individuals who draw strength and support from their faith or spiritual beliefs and seek to incorporate them into their therapeutic journey. It can help individuals find comfort, guidance, and healing through their spiritual practices and can provide a framework for exploring deeper existential or existential questions. SIP is often used to help individuals cope with grief, loss, trauma, and life transitions and to foster personal growth, resilience, and spiritual connection.
Parenting Psychotherapy
Parenting psychotherapy aims to help parents improve their parenting skills and address any psychological or emotional issues impacting their ability to parent their children effectively. This therapy may involve exploring past experiences influencing current parenting behaviors, learning new strategies for managing challenging behaviors, and improving communication and relationships with children. Parenting psychotherapy aims to promote a healthy and positive parent-child relationship and create a supportive and nurturing environment for the child to thrive.