Category Archives: Therapies and Interventions

Written by: Lane Gormley, EdS, LPC, NCC

There are many ways in which a therapist might try to help a Client. The approach might vary according to the Client’s presenting problem or issue, a Client’s specific goal, or the therapist’s training. Among other things, I was trained as a Clinical Hypnotist, a therapist who uses hypnosis to facilitate change for her Client. Extensive research on Clinical Hypnosis points to its efficacy in helping with sports or artistic performance, weight loss, weakening addictions including smoking, stress management, the reduction of anxiety and depression, and other things.

Written by: Lane Gormley, EdS, LPC, NCC with Jennifer Lynn Thompson, LPC, NCC, Ray of Hope’s EMDR Therapist

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro as a treatment for symptoms of trauma or exposure to distressing events. Dr. Shapiro noticed that controlled eye movements could reduce the intensity of extreme negative thoughts. EMDR can help survivors of rape, psychological or physical abuse, disasters, accidents, or military combat. Some researchers believe that it can help in the treatment of other conditions as well. Specifically, EMDR helps people deal with the bad memories of upsetting events.

Written by: Lane Gormley, EdS, LPC, NCC

What is it that makes people who have just entered therapy, people who are admittedly beginning a difficult process, want to make sudden, life-changing decisions? Kathryn C. (*not her real name) was in early sobriety. She had been in therapy just two months when she came into session one day and announced, “I’m trying to decide whether or not to divorce Tommy.”. I said, “Hold on a minute there. This is no time for divorce… Or decisions “. I did not mean that she should not divorce Tommy ever. I only meant that a time of great personal change (early sobriety + early therapy) is not an optimum time to make one’s best decision. Early sobriety and early therapy are times of fluctuating emotion; desires and plans based on them are maximally changeable. So, one thing I tell my Clients is: When in doubt, do nothing.

By: Thom Lucas, LCSW Ray of Hope Counseling Services. A review of an article by Allen Weg

When clients come to a cognitive behavioral therapist with an anxiety disorder, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, the focus of the therapy is an intervention called “exposure and response prevention,” or ERP. It means just what it sounds like — a person repeatedly approaches or is “exposed to” the very thing that makes him or her anxious or uncomfortable, and then attempts to stop themselves from engaging in behaviors that are designed to lower that anxiety.

Thom R. Lucas, LCSW.
Licensed Psychotherapist.
Cognitive / Behavioral Specialist.

Anxiety Disorders are the number one reason people seek mental health assistance. The National Institute of Mental Health has estimated that about 30% of the population will suffer from an Anxiety Disorder at some time in their life.

Seven Treasures of Single Time
by Sandra Prillaman, Ed.S., LPC

Before going further get a card or piece of paper about 3 X 5 inches.  On it write down your heart’s desire.  Put it aside to be used later.