CBT Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an empirically supported treatment that focuses on patterns of thinking that are maladaptive and the beliefs that are the foundation for such thought process. For example, a person who is depressed may have the belief, ” I am a loser”, and a person with a fear may have the belief “I am not safe.” The individual who holds these beliefs may firmly believe the accuracy of these thoughts. The therapist encourages the client to see these thoughts as hypotheses rather than cold facts that are set in stone. The client is encouraged to test these beliefs. The client is encouraged to monitor and to log thoughts that  pop into their minds in order to enable them to determine if these thouhts are irrational and to change the thoughts to healthier more realistic thoughts.

Studies of cognitive behavioral therapy have shown usefulness with: sleep disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, and substance abuse disorders.

EMDR is an approach to therapy that is founded on the premise that each person has both an innate tendency to move toward health and wholeness, and the inner capacity to achieve it. EMDR is based in psychological science and is formed by both psychological theory and research on the brain. EMDR integrates elements from both psychological theories and psychotherapies into a standardized set of procedures and clinical protocols. research on how our brains process information and generates consciousness also informs the evoluton of EMDR theory and procedure.

The hypotheses of the EMDR model is:

1. We have a physiological informational processing system where information and life events are processed.

2. Information is stored in our memory: visual, olfactory, auditory etc.

3. Our memory network is formed by early related information or events.

4. Trauma and unmet needs block the capacity to process information to resolve stressful and challenging events.

5. Information processing is facilitated by bilateral sensory stimulation.

6. Alternating, left-right, visual, audio and tactile stimulation enhance information processing and enhance healthy ways to process information.

EMDR has been supported by scientific research for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Many clinicians have reported success in using EMDR for the following conditions: panic attacks, stress reduction, addictions, phobias, pain disorders, anxiety, abuse( sexual and/or physical),and disturbing memories.

Grief is the real or imaginary loss of a cherished person or thing. Grief is a normal loss reaction but does not require the loss of a loved one by death.

Everyone grieves in different ways. Grief is a normal reaction to loss, and it shows up in many ways you might not expect. Displaced anger can be a sign that someone has grief. A change in appetite, sleeping to little or too much. Grief can pop up in the physical body: headaches, upset stomach, weakness, lethargy , aches, and pains. Some individuals feel confused or distracted and some people feel anxious or panicky. Some find it difficult to concentrate on tasks. Many people feel like they do not want to socialize.

These are all common reactions to grief and they do not have a specific time frame to begin or to end. You will never forget the person who has passed, but your life will become normal. It is important to nourish your inner child and take time to take care of yourself: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

A boundary is a limit you place on your physical, emotional, and spiritual space. Establishing boundaries is vital in order to maintain balance in your life because without boundaries, lives become filled with: chaos, stress, drama, tension, exhaustion, and disease.

Boundaries are key in all areas of your life. In relationships, boundaries assist in your comfort levels in relating to others. Think of it as the line in where your emotional and physical space ends and where the person you are relating to begins. Your boundaries with everyone in your life will vary depending on the relationship that you have with each one.

The biggest challenge in relationships is becoming aware of your own boundaries. The awareness of your boundaries allows you to communicate them to your partner, friend, mother, father, sibling, etc. By doing this, it allows the other person to respect your boundaries and visa versa. If you disregard your boundaries and the boundaries of others, you will continue to violate each other’s boundaries. These boundary violations are the epicenter of disease and dysfunction in all relationships.

In addition to relationships, boundaries are equally essential in the work place. Without boundaries in this area, people easily become overworked and as a result, exhausted or physically ill.

The best way to determine how and when to set boundaries in your relationships is by becoming aware of how you feel when you’re in situations with the people you interact with daily. Awareness acts as a guide to who we are and how we feel. Once we become aware of how we feel, boundaries help us discover who we are in relation to others. By setting these limits, you are better able to determine who is “safe” to spend time with as well as who depletes and exhausts your physical and emotional energy.

This process will assist you in discovering your thoughts, feelings, values, and beliefs in relation to the world. This is important because then you will be able to recognize what nourishes your soul and what depletes your spirit, ultimately keeping you more in balance. As you will learn, decisions, desires, needs, and intuition all play vital roles in creating healthy boundaries in your life.

It is important to pay attention to your physical health including diet, sleep, and exercise. It is essential to pay attention to your emotional health. It is also important to have a connection to your spiritual health. If you are aware of your thoughts and feelings you will find it easier to create balance in your life.