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Psychodynamic AND RELATIONAL Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is an evidenced based therapy that delves into unconscious/subconscious patterns, past experiences, and emotions that shape present behaviors. By exploring deep-seated thoughts and feelings, this approach helps individuals gain insight into their inner world, fostering lasting psychological growth. At North Shore Psychotherapy we offer psychodynamic therapy for depression, psychodynamic therapy for anxiety, as well psychodynamic therapy for relationship difficulties including online and in person psychodynamic therapy.
A psychodynamic therapist helps clients to resolve difficulties with connection, establish healthier patterns for relating to self and others, and help find ways to get development back on track. In psychodynamic therapy the developmental and relational difficulties that an individual encounters can be explored in depth. In psychodynamic therapy, the process of growth and healing is fostered within the relationship between the therapist and the individual seeking therapy. Struggles that individuals encounter in relationships outside of therapy can emerge within the therapeutic relationship and rather than being repeated, these patterns can be understood and changed. This helps the client to experience change in real time and have a corrective emotional experience that they can take into their lives.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented approach that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress. CBT counseling helps individuals develop practical coping skills to manage anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges by reshaping their thinking and behavior and improving emotional regulation. We specialize in various types of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
CBT for emotional regulation teaches strategies to recognize and manage overwhelming emotions, and other focuses of cognitive behavioral therapy include reducing cognitive distress by addressing intrusive or unhelpful thoughts. Sessions may include techniques like cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and exposure exercises to help individuals respond to life's challenges in healthier ways. CBT's primary focus is addressing negative thought patterns that cause distress and suffering.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a specialized form of CBT designed to help individuals struggling with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety related conditions. ERP works by gradually exposing individuals to thoughts, situations, or objects that trigger distress while preventing the habitual compulsive response. Through structured, guided exposure, ERP helps retrain the brain’s response to fear, reducing avoidance behaviors and breaking the cycle of anxiety. This approach allows individuals to build tolerance to distressing thoughts and gain confidence in their ability to manage uncertainty without relying on compulsions.
We offer ERP for anxiety, ERP for OCD, and ERP for panic attacks. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is highly effective in treating OCD, phobias, and other anxiety disorders, offering a structured path towards long-term relief. While it can be challenging to do this work, connecting with a trained therapist ensures a supportive and tailored experience that leads to meaningful progress.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based therapy that helps individuals accept their thoughts and emotions rather than struggle to "fix" or control them. Through ACT, clients learn to develop psychological flexibility, allowing them to focus on their values and take meaningful action even when they experience difficult emotions. Key principles of ACT include accepting rather than avoiding or suppressing difficult thoughts and emotions, creating distance between the person experiencing unhelpful thoughts and the thoughts themselves, being present and mindful, seeing the bigger picture, identifying values and what truly matters for each individual, and taking meaningful, committed action even in the presence of difficult thoughts and emotions.
ACT incorporates techniques such as:
- Mindfulness and acceptance strategies to reduce emotional suffering.
- Values-based goal setting to help individuals build a meaningful life.
- Defusion techniques to lessen the impact of distressing thoughts.
The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approach is particularly helpful for individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma and chronic stress.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, skills-based therapy designed to help individuals regulate emotions, improve relationships, and manage distress. Originally developed for borderline personality disorder, DBT has since been adapted for a wide range of emotional and behavioral difficulties.
DBT focuses on four core skill areas:
- Mindfulness – Increasing awareness and presence in the moment.
- Distress Tolerance – Learning to cope with difficult situations without making them worse.
- Emotion Regulation – Understanding and managing intense emotions.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness – Improving communication and relationship skills.
DBT is particularly effective for individuals struggling with emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, self-harm, or difficulty maintaining stable relationships.