211 Horseshoe Lake Dr, Suite 202B, Halifax, NS B3S 0B9

480 Parkland Drive, Unit 201, Halifax, NS B3S 1P9

Intentional Outcomes Counselling

Our Therapy Methods

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing

When a traumatic experience becomes a part of our autobiography— embedded in our memory – it can feel unpleasant to recall, overwhelming and deeply distressing. EMDR has been incredibly helpful for some people struggling with the lasting effects of trauma related mental health issues. EMDR has shown to diminish the intensity of the experience, leaving people feeling lighter and remarkably more at ease.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is primarily used to help individuals who have difficulty regulating their emotions and who engage in self-destructive or impulsive behaviours. The primary goal of DBT is to help people learn new skills and strategies to improve their ability to manage their emotions and reduce their distress. In DBT, individuals work with a trained therapist to learn new ways of thinking and acting so they may experience improved mood and relationships, as well as a reduction in self-destructive behaviours.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT is a type of psychotherapy in which patients reframe negative thinking patterns into positive thoughts. Transforming one’s thoughts will ultimately result in positive actions and behaviours in difficult moments. CBT is based on the concept that beliefs cause behaviour – and that by changing the belief, you will be able to change the behaviour. Therapists guide these sessions by helping the individual set personalized goals and solutions to manage the stress and anxiety that results from environmental and social triggers.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

ACT can be helpful for individuals who struggle with a wide range of emotional difficulties, including anxiety, depression, stress, and chronic pain. ACT is a type of therapy that focuses on helping individuals develop psychological flexibility and acceptance. The goal is to help people learn to let go of avoidance and control strategies that can keep them stuck in unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour, and instead learn to be present and open to their thoughts and emotions. By learning to accept their thoughts and emotions, and commit to taking action that aligns with their values, individuals can improve their emotional well-being and lead more fulfilling lives.

Internal Family Systems Therapy

(IFS) can help you heal by providing you with a safe and supportive space to explore and understand the different parts or subpersonalities that make up your internal psychological system. In IFS, you can learn to recognize and connect with these different parts, and to develop a more compassionate and self-aware relationship with yourself. This can be helpful for individuals who struggle with a wide range of emotional and psychological problems, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship difficulties. By learning to understand and work with your internal system, you can gain insight into your thoughts and emotions, and develop greater self-acceptance and self-compassion. As a result, you may experience improved mental and emotional well-being, and better relationships with others.

Narrative Therapy

Narrative therapy is a form of counselling that views people as separate from their problems. This allows clients to get some distance from the issue to see how it might actually be helping them, or protecting them, more than it is hurting them. With this new perspective, individuals feel more empowered to make changes in their thought patterns and behaviour and “rewrite” their life story for a future that reflects who they are, what they are capable of, and what their purpose is, separate from their problems.
By learning to challenge and change the stories we tell ourselves and others, individuals can develop a more empowering and positive view of their lives. As a result, they may experience improved mental and emotional well-being, and better relationships with others.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

Unlike traditional forms of therapy that take time to analyze problems, pathology, and past life events, SFBT concentrates on finding solutions in the present and exploring one’s hope for the future in order to find a quicker and pragmatic resolution of one’s problems. This method takes the approach that you know what you need to do to improve your own life and, with the appropriate coaching and questioning, are capable of finding the best solutions.This type of therapy that deals less with the “why” behind challenges client’s face, and more with the “how” of treating them.

Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy is a form of body-centered therapy that looks at the connection of mind and body and uses both psychotherapy and physical therapies for holistic healing. In addition to talk therapy, somatic therapy practitioners use mind-body exercises and other physical techniques to help release the pent-up tension that negatively affects a client’s physical and emotional wellbeing. It highlights that the mind and body are intimately connected, and your thoughts, emotions, and sensations are interconnected and influence one another.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy can be helpful for individuals who struggle with a wide range of emotional and psychological problems, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship difficulties. By gaining a deeper understanding of their unconscious thoughts and feelings, individuals can develop greater insight into their own motivations and behaviours, and learn to make more effective choices in their lives. As a result, they may experience improved mental and emotional well-being, and better relationships with others.

Intentional Outcomes Counselling

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Book an appointment with one of our therapists today.