Psychodynamic and Psychoanalytic Therapy

Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapy focus on helping clients grow and address problems through expanding their awareness. Therapists facilitate this process by encouraging clients to speak freely and openly, and they work together to understand how the client’s experiences have shaped who they are. Clients get better through becoming more in touch with their thoughts and feelings, and identifying problematic ways of being with themselves and in relationships. In-depth exploration of the whole person and their current issues helps clients resolve emotional conflicts and live happier and healthier lives. Louis Scuderi, LCSW, one of our clinicians here at Skaneateles Psychology Associates, talks about some of the basic tenets of Psychoanalytic Therapy here.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT focuses on understanding and modifying thoughts and behaviors that are negatively impacting wellbeing. Considered a "solution-oriented" form of talk therapy, CBT utilizes the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to help clients better understand their struggles and improve their coping skills. The therapist and client work collaboratively to identify goals and strategies to help the client develop more effective ways of responding to life’s challenges.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT is a form of CBT that emphasizes acceptance and mindfulness strategies as a way to foster behavior change and flexibility. Clients learn to stop avoiding or struggling with their uncomfortable emotions, which allows them to choose behaviors that are more consistent with their values. Using the ACT acronym, clients learn to Accept that difficult experiences are a part of living, Choose a direction they would like their life to move toward, and Take action to move toward their life goals.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

ERP refers to specific CBT strategies to help people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) as well as other anxiety disorders. The therapist assists and guides the client in gradually confronting feared situations while helping them let go of rituals, compulsions, and avoidance behaviors that are getting in the way of functioning.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)

PE is a type of therapy that teaches individuals to gradually approach their trauma-related memories, feelings, and situations. They learn that trauma-related memories and cues are not dangerous and do not need to be avoided. This type of therapy is often recommended for PTSD.

Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia (CBT-I)

CBT-I is a specialized version of cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses specifically on insomnia. The cognitive part of CBT-I focuses on exploring your thoughts and feelings around sleep. The behavioral part of CBT-I focuses on identifying and changing problematic habits to promote better sleep. In 2016, the American College of Physicians recommended that CBT-I should be the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia.