Approach

Promontory Psychotherapy staff use a compassionate client-centered trauma informed approach, and therapists work with each client to identify their therapy goals and builds upon the strengths of the individual. Using an integrative and strengths based approach, they employs elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy to respond to the unique needs of the individual to support the development of a more self-compassionate and intentional relationship with yourself. Therapists are interactive in the therapy process and challenges clients to identify practical tools and strategies to incorporate in their life that make sense for them, and will improve their ability to live more intentionally. Therapists will also be authentic. This can mean they may sometimes bring in humor, share resources, or challenge behaviors or patterns that show up in the process of therapy so thats client can enhance their insight and use the therapuetic relationship as practice for difficulties that may come up with other relationships outside of therapy.

What is Trauma-Informed Care?

A Trauma Informed approach is a strengths based framework that is grounded in an understanding of and responsiveness to the impact of trauma. Trauma is a normal response to something that happens in the course of a person’s life that is abnormal and impacts that person in someway. Trauma isn’t always just a big event, it can include: chronic illnesses, domestic violence, tragic loss, the homicide or suicide of a loved one, as well as the result of childhood physical and sexual abuse over many years. Understanding that every person responds to the trauma(s) that they experienced differently, and that no one approach will work the same for everyone, therapists are flexible in work with clients and responds to the specific needs of each individual. Therapists work with clients to build a sense of physical, psychological, and emotional safety for survivors so that each person can learn to define themselves outside of the trauma they experienced. Trauma Informed Care does not mean that the therapist is just “nice” …. At times, therapists will challenge clients to identify and change patterns that were developed in response to trauma, and while helpful at the time, now hold them back from achieving their goals or forming more authentic relationships.

Is this a safe place?

Therapy is not always easy because change is uncomfortable. However, in order to make change in our lives, it’s imperative that therapy is a safe place where each individual’s identity is affirmed and validated. Whether you identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual trans, queer, non-binary, straight, monogamous, poly, asexual, black, white, brown, mixed race, or hold any other identity… Promontory Psychotherapy will provide a space for you to be yourself and be affirmed for each unique part of your identity. Staff at Promontory Psychotherapy are also body positive and supports health at every size.