801-803-1091
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ALISON PARSONS
Psy.D.
Committment To Evidence-Based Practice
Use of treatments based on sound science is referred to as ‘evidence-based’ practice. Rigorous research in the psychology field has identified specific and effective treatments for a variety of mental health concerns. Evidence-based practice in psychology represents “the integration of the best available research with clinical expertise in the context of patient characteristics, culture, and preferences.” (American Psychological Association, 2005).
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When searching for a therapist, it is common for people to select a provider who is close to home or work, is covered by their insurance plan, or is accepting new patients. While these are important considerations, it is also essential to ask about the specific type of therapy a prospective therapist offers. Not all treatments are equivalent with respect to their effectiveness and selecting a therapist who provides treatment based on the best available research evidence is likely to positively impact the extent to which you benefit from therapy.
By combining evidenced-based practices with an integrative, “whole person” approach, I take into account your past and present circumstances in the context of your physical health, genetic predispositions, personality factors, and social/cultural context. This comprehensive approach leads to a complete understanding of you and the issues you are dealing with, and supports a tailored treatment solution leading to resolution of your problems.
Therapeutic Modalities Include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT focuses on exploring relationships among a person's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. During CBT, a therapist will actively work with a person to uncover unhealthy patterns of thought and how they may be causing self-destructive thoughts and behaviors. By addressing these patterns, the patient and therapist can work together to develop constructive ways of thinking that will produce healthier beliefs and behaviors.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is now recommended by the American College of Physicians as the first-line treatment for adults with chronic insomnia. CBT-I is a scientifically proven and highly effective way to end insomnia without relying on medications. It is typically delivered in a structured, 6-session time-limited format. One of the cornerstones of CBT-I is education on normal sleep and the factors that affect both sleep quality and quantity, including education on the circadian rhythm and homeostatic sleep drive. CBT-I is much more than just sleep hygiene. Rather it is an integrative program combining stimulus control, sleep restriction, sleep extension, relaxation training, and cognitive control along with sleep hygiene and healthy sleep habits.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
CPT is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy that is effective in treating symptoms of traumatic reactions and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). CPT is generally delivered over 12 sessions and helps patients learn how to challenge and modify unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma. In so doing, the patient creates a new understanding and conceptualization of the traumatic event so that it reduces its ongoing negative effects on current life.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an action-oriented approach to psychotherapy that stems from traditional behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Patients learn to stop avoiding, denying, and struggling with their difficult and painful emotions and, instead, accept that these deeper feelings are responses to certain situations that should not prevent them from moving forward in their lives. With this understanding, patients begin the process of accepting issues and hardships and commit to making necessary changes in their behavior, regardless of what is going on in their lives, and how they feel about it.
Behavioral Activation
Behavioral activation is a treatment for depression that has been found to be very effective, even for those who have not had success with other approaches. Behavioral activation shifts away from thoughts and feelings to focus on a patient’s behavior and environment. It focuses on replacing negative, avoidant behaviors with new rewarding behaviors that increase positive reinforcement and reduce negative reinforcement.
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is used to treat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma related symptoms. Its’ aim is to replace negative emotional reactions to difficult or traumatic memories with less-charged or positive reactions or beliefs. Using a series of repetitive eye movements over a series of sessions helps individuals change these emotional reactions.
Positive Psychology (PP)
Positive Psychology focuses on human potentials and things that make life worth living. By developing specific ways of thinking and behaving acting we are able to strongly impact our sense of happiness and peace of mind. Positive Psychology focuses on generating positive emotions through the use of optimism, mindfulness, gratitude, flow, physical well-being, creation of meaning, spiritual engagement, kindness, relationships and development of ‘signature strengths’ and virtues.
Behavioral Activation (BA)
Behavioral activation is a treatment for depression that has been found to be very effective, even for those who have not had success with other approaches. Behavioral activation shifts away from thoughts and feelings to focus on behavior and environment. The focus is on replacing negative, avoidant behaviors with new rewarding behaviors that increase a person's positive reinforcement and reduce negative reinforcement.