My Services

Destany Schadder, LPC-Associate, R-DMT, MA, NCC

Supervised by Karen Finley Breeding LPC-S and Concetta Troskie, BC-DMT

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a type of psychotherapy that helps people accept their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, without judgment. It also helps people focus on what they can control and then commit to actions that are important to them.

ACT is based on the idea that people often try to avoid or control difficult thoughts and feelings. This can actually make things worse. Instead, ACT teaches people to accept their thoughts and feelings as they are, without trying to change them. This can help people to feel less stressed and more in control of their lives.

ACT also teaches people to focus on what they can control. This means focusing on their own actions and choices, rather than trying to control the actions of others or the events of the world around them. When people focus on what they can control, they are more likely to feel empowered.

Finally, ACT teaches people to commit to actions that are important to them. This means identifying the things that are most important to them in life and then taking steps to continue to make those things happen. When people commit to actions that are important to them, they are more likely to feel fulfilled and satisfied with their lives.

ACT is a six-step process:

  1. Contact with the present moment. This involves learning to be aware of the present moment, without judgment.
  2. Acceptance of private experiences. This involves accepting thoughts, feelings, and experiences as they are, without trying to change them.
  3. Defusion from language. This involves learning to see thoughts as just thoughts, and not as facts.
  4. Focus on values. This involves identifying the things that are most important to you in life and then taking steps to make those things happen.
  5. Commitment to action. This involves taking steps to make your values a reality.
  6. Mindfulness. This involves practicing the ability to be present in the moment without judgment.

ACT has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. It is also being used to treat addiction, eating disorders, and other problems.

If you are interested in trying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, contact me, or request an appointment.

Psychodynamic Theory Therapy

Psychodynamic theory is a psychological perspective that was developed by Sigmund Freud and later expanded upon by other prominent psychologists such as Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, and Erik Erikson. This theory seeks to understand human behavior, personality, and mental processes by examining the interplay of unconscious drives, motives, and conflicts. It emphasizes the role of early childhood experiences in shaping an individual’s personality and behavior.

Key concepts of psychodynamic theory include:

1. Structure of the mind: Psychodynamic theory posits that the mind consists of three main parts: the id, ego, and superego. The id operates on the pleasure principle and seeks immediate gratification of instinctual drives, while the superego represents internalized societal and parental standards. The ego mediates between the id and superego, seeking to balance their conflicting demands.

2. Unconscious processes: According to psychodynamic theory, a significant portion of mental activity occurs at an unconscious level. Unconscious processes, including repressed memories, desires, and unresolved conflicts, can influence an individual’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors without their awareness.

3. Defense mechanisms: Psychodynamic theory proposes that individuals use defense mechanisms to cope with anxiety and protect themselves from distressing thoughts and feelings. Examples of defense mechanisms include repression, denial, projection, and displacement.

4. Developmental stages: Psychodynamic theory suggests that personality development occurs in stages, with each stage characterized by specific challenges and potential conflicts. Freud’s psychosexual stages (oral, anal, phallic, latent, and genital) focus on the ways in which children’s pleasure-seeking energies are expressed and satisfied through different parts of the body.

5. Importance of early experiences: Psychodynamic theory emphasizes the formative influence of early childhood experiences, particularly the quality of relationships with caregivers, on an individual’s personality development. Early experiences can shape one’s attachment style, sense of self, and approach to relationships throughout life.

6. Therapeutic techniques: Psychodynamic therapy, also known as psychoanalytic therapy, is based on psychodynamic principles. This approach involves exploring a client’s unconscious conflicts and past experiences to gain insight into their current difficulties and promote psychological healing.

While psychodynamic theory has been influential in shaping modern psychology, it has also been subject to criticism and refinement over the years. Contemporary psychodynamic approaches have integrated new research findings and modified some of the original concepts, but the core ideas of unconscious motivation, early experiences, and intra-psychic conflicts continue to be relevant in understanding human behavior and psychological functioning.

If you are interested in trying Psychodynamic Theory, contact me, or request an appointment.

Dance / Movement Therapy

Dance/Movement Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses movement as a way to explore and understand emotional, psychological, and physical issues. DMT can be used to treat a variety of conditions, most commonly including anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief.

DMT sessions typically begin with a warm-up, which helps to loosen the body and prepare it for movement. The therapist then leads the client in a series of simple exercises and movements, which are often used to explore specific issues or emotions. For example, the therapist might ask the client to dance out their anger, or to express their sadness through movement.

As the client moves, the therapist observes and interprets their movements. The therapist may also ask the client to verbalize their thoughts and feelings as they move. Through this process, the client can gain a deeper understanding of their own emotions and behaviors, and can work with the therapist to develop new coping mechanisms.

DMT is a safe and effective way to explore and understand complex emotional and psychological issues. It can be used to treat a variety of conditions, and it can be combined with other forms of psychotherapy.

Here are some of the benefits of dance/movement therapy:

  • It can help to reduce stress and anxiety.
  • It can improve self-esteem and body image.
  • It can help to resolve trauma and grief.
  • It can help to improve communication and social skills.
  • It can help to increase self-awareness and self-acceptance.

If you are interested in trying Dance/Movement Therapy, contact me, or request an appointment.

Dance / Movement Therapist - photo
Dance / Movement Therapist - photo