Therapeutic Modalities | Pieces to Peace Psychotherapy

Trauma-specific psychotherapy is a focused therapeutic approach designed explicitly for treating individuals who have experienced significant traumatic events. This form of therapy is tailored to address the complexities of trauma, which can include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder, and other trauma-related conditions. Trauma-specific psychotherapy aims to help individuals process and heal from the deep psychological impact of their trauma, restoring their sense of safety, trust, and self-worth.

Therapists practicing trauma-specific psychotherapy employ a variety of specialized techniques that are proven effective in treating trauma. These might include a range of therapeutic modalities, such as :

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Narrative Therapy
Attachment Based Therapy (ABT)
Psychodynamic Therapy

- Art Therapy
- Play Therapy
- Sandplay Therapy
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy (GMCT)
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Further details on these modalities can be found below. The therapy sessions are structured to create a safe space where trauma survivors can explore and express their feelings without fear of re-traumatization.

The goal is to help clients understand and integrate their experiences, reducing the intense emotions tied to traumatic memories and improving overall emotional regulation and coping strategies. This approach not only addresses the symptoms associated with trauma but also supports individuals in reclaiming a fulfilling and empowered life.

Using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a transformative and evidence-based approach that aims to promote change, resilience, and well-being. Therapy in this modality focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help individuals identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to emotional distress and maladaptive behaviours.

Therapy also aims to help individuals develop effective coping strategies to manage challenging situations and emotions. This may involve learning relaxation techniques, problem-solving skills, and assertiveness training.

Another important outcome is to help individuals improve their mood and overall mental health. This may involve challenging negative thinking patterns, setting and achieving realistic goals, and building self-esteem and confidence.

Furthermore, therapy aims to help individuals make lasting behavioural changes. This may involve creating and implementing behavioural experiments, gradually exposing individuals to feared situations, and practicing new ways of thinking and behaving.

Overall, therapy using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) aims to support individuals in their journey towards positive change, emotional resilience, and a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Using Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a transformative and comprehensive approach that aims to promote mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance. Therapy in this modality focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help individuals develop mindfulness skills to become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in the present moment.

Therapy also aims to help individuals learn emotion regulation skills to manage intense emotions in a healthy and adaptive way. This may involve identifying and labelling emotions, understanding the function of emotions, and developing strategies to modulate emotional responses.

Another important outcome is to help individuals improve their interpersonal relationships. This may involve learning effective communication skills, setting boundaries, and balancing assertiveness and empathy in relationships.

Furthermore, therapy aims to help individuals develop distress tolerance skills to cope with crises and high-stress situations. This may involve learning to accept reality as it is, without judgment, and finding ways to soothe oneself during times of distress.

Overall, therapy using Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) aims to support individuals in their journey towards emotional balance, interpersonal effectiveness, and a life worth living.

Utilizing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a transformative and experiential approach that aims to promote psychological flexibility, mindfulness, and values-based living. Therapy in this modality focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help individuals develop acceptance skills to allow difficult thoughts and emotions to come and go without struggling with them.

Therapy also aims to help individuals clarify their values and commit to taking action that is consistent with those values. This may involve exploring what is truly important and meaningful to the individual and identifying ways to align their actions with their values.

Another important outcome is to help individuals develop mindfulness skills to be fully present in the moment and engage more fully in their lives. This may involve practicing non-judgmental awareness of thoughts, feelings, and sensations.

Furthermore, therapy aims to help individuals build psychological flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and respond effectively to life's challenges. This may involve developing a different relationship with one's thoughts and emotions, allowing them to be present without being overwhelming.

Overall, therapy using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) aims to support individuals in their journey towards living a rich, full, and meaningful life, guided by their values and not limited by their struggles.

Narrative Therapy is a collaborative and empowering approach that aims to help individuals externalize problems, re-author their stories, and reclaim their lives. Therapy in this modality focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help individuals separate themselves from the issues they are facing, allowing them to see problems as external entities that can be addressed and changed.

Therapy also aims to help individuals’ re-author their narratives, creating new and more empowering stories about themselves and their experiences. This may involve exploring alternative perspectives, highlighting strengths and resources, and reframing negative or limiting beliefs.

Another important outcome is to help individuals develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their experiences. This may involve exploring the cultural, social, and personal factors that shape their stories and identities.

Furthermore, therapy aims to help individuals make meaning of their experiences and find a sense of coherence in their lives. This may involve integrating past experiences into a coherent narrative, finding purpose and direction moving forward, and fostering a sense of agency and empowerment.

Overall, therapy using Narrative Therapy aims to support individuals in reclaiming their stories, discovering new possibilities, and living more authentically and meaningfully.

Working in an attachment-based modality is a profound and transformative process that aims to promote healing, security, and relational growth. Therapy in this modality focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help individuals understand and reprocess early attachment experiences that may impact their current relationships and sense of self. This may involve exploring past relationships with caregivers and how these early experiences shape patterns of behaviour and attachment styles.

Therapy also aims to help individuals develop secure and healthy attachment patterns. This may involve learning new ways of relating to others, developing emotional regulation skills, and building trust in oneself and others.

Another important outcome is to help individuals repair and strengthen existing relationships. This may involve improving communication, resolving conflicts, and building intimacy and connection with others.

Furthermore, therapy aims to help individuals develop a coherent and positive sense of self. This may involve exploring personal identity, values, and beliefs, and integrating past experiences into a cohesive narrative.

Overall, therapy in an attachment-based modality aims to support individuals in their journey towards secure attachment, relational fulfillment, and a deepened understanding of themselves and their relationships.

Psychodynamic Therapy is a depth-oriented approach that aims to explore unconscious patterns, past experiences, and relational dynamics to promote insight, healing, and personal growth. Therapy in this modality focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help individuals gain insight into the underlying causes of their current difficulties, which may stem from childhood experiences, unresolved conflicts, or unconscious motivations.

Therapy also aims to help individuals develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships. This may involve exploring patterns of behaviour, thoughts, and emotions that are rooted in the past but continue to impact their present experiences.

Another important outcome is to help individuals resolve inner conflicts and reduce internal distress. This may involve bringing unconscious material to the surface, processing painful emotions, and integrating conflicting aspects of the self.

Furthermore, therapy aims to help individuals improve their interpersonal relationships and overall quality of life. This may involve developing new ways of relating to others, setting healthier boundaries, and experiencing greater intimacy and connection.

Overall, therapy using Psychodynamic Therapy aims to support individuals in gaining insight, resolving inner conflicts, and developing a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships, leading to lasting personal growth and change.

Art Therapy is a creative and expressive approach that aims to promote self-discovery, emotional healing, and personal growth. Therapy in this modality focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help individuals explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through artistic expression, allowing for deeper insight and understanding.

Therapy also aims to help individuals process and resolve emotional conflicts and traumas. This may involve using art as a tool to externalize and work through difficult emotions, memories, and experiences that may be challenging to verbalize.

Another important outcome is to help individuals develop coping skills and self-regulation strategies. This may involve using art to practice relaxation techniques, manage stress, and express emotions in a healthy and constructive way.

Furthermore, therapy aims to help individuals improve their self-esteem and self-confidence. This may involve creating art that reflects personal strengths, achievements, and positive aspects of the self, fostering a sense of empowerment and worth.

Overall, therapy using Art Therapy aims to support individuals in their journey towards self-discovery, emotional healing, and personal transformation, using creativity as a powerful tool for healing and growth.

Play Therapy is a dynamic and effective approach that aims to promote emotional expression, problem-solving skills, and self-confidence in children. Therapy in this modality focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help children express and process their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through play, which is their natural language.

Therapy also aims to help children develop coping skills and emotional regulation strategies. This may involve using play to practice problem-solving, conflict resolution, and impulse control, which can translate into more adaptive behaviours in daily life.

Another important outcome is to help children build self-esteem and self-awareness. This may involve using play to explore and affirm their strengths, interests, and values, fostering a sense of confidence and identity.

Furthermore, therapy aims to help children improve their social skills and interpersonal relationships. This may involve using play to practice communication, empathy, and cooperation, leading to more positive interactions with peers and adults.

Overall, therapy using Play Therapy aims to support children in their emotional development, helping them navigate challenges, build resilience, and develop the skills they need to thrive.

Sand play therapy is a powerful and transformative approach that aims to promote healing, self-discovery, and integration. Therapy in this modality focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help individuals express their inner thoughts, feelings, and experiences through the creation of sand scenes, allowing for deeper exploration and understanding.

Therapy also aims to help individuals process and integrate unconscious material. This may involve using sand play as a tool to access and work through deep-seated emotions, memories, and conflicts that may be difficult to access through verbal means alone.

Another important outcome is to help individuals develop a greater sense of self-awareness and insight. This may involve using the sand scenes as a mirror to reflect back aspects of the self, leading to greater self-understanding and acceptance.

Furthermore, therapy aims to help individuals develop coping skills and resilience. This may involve using sand play to practice problem-solving, emotion regulation, and self-soothing techniques, which can be applied to everyday life situations.

Overall, therapy using Sand play Therapy aims to support individuals in their journey towards healing, self-discovery, and personal growth, using the symbolic language of the sand scenes as a pathway to transformation.

Gottman Method Couples Therapy is a research-based approach that aims to help couples strengthen their relationships, improve communication, and increase intimacy and connection. Therapy in this modality focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help couples develop healthy communication skills, including effective listening, expressing needs and emotions, and resolving conflicts constructively.

Therapy also aims to help couples deepen their understanding of each other's needs, feelings, and perspectives. This may involve exploring the underlying emotions and beliefs that drive behaviour, fostering empathy and compassion, and building a stronger emotional bond.

Another important outcome is to help couples identify and change negative patterns of interaction. This may involve recognizing and modifying behaviours that contribute to conflict and distance and replacing them with more positive and affirming interactions.

Furthermore, therapy aims to help couples strengthen their friendship and intimacy. This may involve fostering shared interests, creating opportunities for fun and connection, and enhancing emotional and physical intimacy.

Overall, therapy using Gottman Method Couples Therapy aims to support couples in their journey towards a more satisfying, resilient, and lasting relationship, grounded in love, trust, and mutual respect.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful and evidence-based therapy that aims to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences, phobias, and other distressing memories. Therapy in this modality focuses on several key outcomes. One primary goal is to help individuals reduce the emotional intensity and distress associated with traumatic memories, allowing them to be processed more effectively.

Therapy also aims to help individuals reprocess negative beliefs and self-perceptions that result from traumatic experiences. This may involve identifying and replacing negative beliefs with more positive and adaptive ones, leading to a greater sense of self-esteem and self-worth.

Another important outcome is to help individuals develop more adaptive coping mechanisms and skills. This may involve learning new ways to manage stress, regulate emotions, and respond to triggers in a healthier and more effective manner.

Furthermore, therapy aims to help individuals integrate traumatic experiences into their overall life story in a way that promotes healing and growth. This may involve creating a sense of coherence and meaning from past experiences, allowing individuals to move forward with a greater sense of resilience and purpose.

Overall, therapy using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) aims to support individuals in their journey towards healing, recovery, and a greater sense of well-being.