Treatment Approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an action-oriented, evidence-based therapeutic approach that combines principles from traditional behavior therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

At the heart of ACT is the belief that trying to control or avoid painful emotions, thoughts, or memories can be counterproductive, often leading to greater suffering. Instead, ACT teaches clients how to accept discomfort and difficult emotions, helping them understand that emotional pain is a natural part of the human experience.

By accepting discomfort and focusing on values-driven action, clients can enhance their emotional well-being and create lasting change in their lives.

* ACT sessions are available in standard counseling sessions.

Art Therapy is a client-centered, experiential form of therapy that integrates the creative process with psychological healing.

Through the use of various art materials and techniques, clients are encouraged to express themselves in non-verbal ways, enabling them to explore complex emotions, gain deeper insight, and process difficult experiences.

This therapeutic approach fosters self-expression, self-awareness, and emotional healing, often reaching areas that may be difficult to articulate through words alone.

* Art Therapy sessions are available in standard counseling sessions, elevated treatment (as supportive add-on services or intensives), and group sessions.

Christian-Based Counseling is a therapeutic approach that integrates Christian principles with other established therapeutic methods. It provides a space for individuals to explore their spirituality and faith as powerful tools for overcoming personal challenges.

By aligning the therapy process with Christian values, individuals can gain a deeper sense of purpose, forgiveness, and strength through their relationship with God.

At Bloom, we honor and respect each client’s personal belief system. Christian-Based Counseling is only offered upon the client’s request, ensuring that it aligns with their individual values and needs. We provide this service with the understanding that spiritual well-being is deeply personal, and we aim to support each client in a way that aligns with their unique journey of faith.

* Christian-Based Counseling sessions are available in standard counseling sessions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based form of talk therapy that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

It is based on the idea that negative thoughts and distorted thinking patterns contribute to emotional distress and maladaptive behaviors.

The core goal of CBT is to help clients identify and challenge these negative thought patterns and replace them with more realistic and balanced ways of thinking. Through CBT, clients learn practical, actionable skills that they can apply to real-life situations.

* CBT sessions are available in standard counseling sessions.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based cognitive-behavioral treatment developed by Marsha Linehan, PhD.

It is designed to help individuals who struggle with intense emotions and negative emotional reactions, particularly those with borderline personality disorder, but it is also effective for those dealing with anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.

DBT focuses on balancing acceptance and change, helping clients develop skills in four key areas: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Effectiveness, and Emotional Regulation.

These DBT skills empower individuals to build emotional resilience, strengthen relationships, and make more thoughtful, balanced decisions in their daily lives.

* DBT sessions are available in standard counseling sessions, elevated treatment (as supportive add-on services), and group sessions.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that focuses on confronting feared situations or thoughts (exposure) while preventing the associated compulsive behaviors or rituals (response prevention).

The goal is to help individuals break the cycle of obsessional thinking and compulsive actions, allowing them to build tolerance to distressing thoughts or situations without feeling the need to perform rituals to alleviate anxiety.

ERP is considered a highly effective treatment for individuals who are ready to actively confront their fears and work through the discomfort of avoiding compulsions.

* ERP sessions are available in standard counseling sessions and elevated treatment (as supportive add-on services).

Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro, is a powerful and evidence-based therapeutic approach designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic memories, unresolved emotional issues, and distressing life experiences.

EMDR is based on the premise that our brains have a natural ability to heal. However, when memories are not properly processed, they can get "stuck" in the brain. These memories may contain disturbing emotions, thoughts, beliefs, images, and physical sensations tied to the event.

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones) to activate both sides of the brain and facilitate the reprocessing of these traumatic memories. The rhythmic stimulation encourages the brain to process the stored memories more effectively, allowing the traumatic experiences to be stored in a healthier way. This reprocessing helps reduce the intensity of the emotional and physical symptoms associated with the trauma, leading to healing and emotional resilience.

* EMDR sessions are available in standard counseling sessions and elevated treatment (as supportive add-on services or intensives).

Health At Every Size® (HAES®) is a movement led by the Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH) that promotes size acceptance, works to end weight discrimination, and challenges the cultural obsession with weight loss and thinness.

The principles of HAES® emphasize body respect, non-discrimination, and the importance of adopting health behaviors without focusing solely on weight loss or the pursuit of thinness.

HAES® Principles include:

• Healthcare is a human right for people of all sizes, including those at the highest end of the size spectrum.

• Wellbeing, care, and healing are resources that are both collective and deeply personal.

• Care is fully provided only when free from anti-fat bias and offered with people of all sizes in mind.

• Health is a sociopolitical construct that reflects the values of society.

The HAES® approach shifts the focus from weight to well-being, advocating for size acceptance, respect for all bodies, and health-promoting behaviors that do not center on weight loss. By prioritizing health, body diversity, and respectful care, HAES® encourages individuals to embrace their bodies as they are and live in a way that supports their overall health, without the burden of societal pressures to conform to unrealistic body standards.

* Bloom staff all follow HAES principles in our treatment.

Internal Family Systems (IFS), developed by Dr. Richard C. Schwartz, is an evidence-based psychotherapy that views the mind as a family, with different parts acting as family members interacting with one another.

IFS allows individuals to access, understand, and heal both their protective and wounded inner parts, helping them connect with their core Self.

According to the IFS model, parts typically play one of three common roles: exiles, managers, and firefighters. IFS therapy helps individuals understand the roles these parts play.

The main goal of IFS therapy is to help individuals reconnect with their Self and restore harmony within their internal system. IFS believes that healing can occur when the Self is able to take on a leadership role and compassionately engage with the Exiles, Managers, and Firefighters. The process involves unburdening the parts from their traumatic roles and integrating them into a more balanced, compassionate system.

* IFS sessions are available in standard counseling sessions.

Intuitive Eating is an evidence-based, mind-body health model that honors both physical and mental well-being.

Created by dietitians Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, Intuitive Eating encourages individuals to honor their health by listening to and responding to their body's natural cues, helping them meet both their physical and psychological needs.

Unlike traditional diets or food plans, Intuitive Eating is not about restricting or controlling food intake. Instead, it is an empowerment tool that promotes a healthier relationship with food, encouraging individuals to trust their body’s signals and cultivate a balanced, sustainable approach to eating.

Key Principles of Intuitive Eating:

1. Reject the Diet Mentality

2. Honor Your Hunger

3. Make Peace with Food

4. Challenge the Food Police

5. Feel Your Fullness

6. Discover the Satisfaction Factor

7. Cope with Your Emotions with Kindness

8. Respect Your Body

9. Exercise—Feel the Difference

10. Honor Your Health—Gentle Nutrition

Intuitive Eating is beneficial for anyone seeking to improve their relationship with food and their body.

Intuitive Eating provides a sustainable, compassionate approach to food, health, and body image. It helps individuals develop a more mindful, balanced, and positive relationship with eating that lasts a lifetime.

* Intuitive Eating sessions are available in standard counseling sessions and elevated treatment (as supportive add-on services).

Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment, accepting your thoughts and emotions without judgment. By focusing on the here and now in a calm, non-reactive way, mindfulness helps you slow down and become more attuned to your needs, instead of reacting impulsively to negative emotions.

Mindfulness supports clients in cultivating self-acceptance, reducing stress, and increasing their overall appreciation for life. Common mindfulness practices include meditation, body scans, mindful activities (such as mindful walking or eating), and deep breathing exercises.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a structured therapeutic approach that incorporates mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and enhance well-being. Developed by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, MBSR is an evidence-based program designed to help individuals manage chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and other health conditions. Through MBSR, clients learn how to be present, observe their thoughts and emotions, and develop greater emotional regulation. It typically includes guided mindfulness meditation, body awareness, and gentle yoga, aimed at promoting physical relaxation and mental clarity.

MBSR is particularly effective for those seeking relief from stress, as it teaches clients to respond to challenges with a sense of calm and mindfulness rather than reacting with anxiety or tension.

* Mindfulness sessions are available in standard counseling sessions and group sessions.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a client-centered, collaborative approach to counseling that aims to help individuals resolve ambivalence and find the motivation to make positive changes in their behavior. It is particularly effective in addressing issues such as addiction, weight management, and other areas where individuals may feel stuck or unsure about making changes.

MI is based on the understanding that people are more likely to make lasting changes when they feel empowered and understood, rather than being pressured or judged. The therapist’s role is to guide the individual through their own process of self-reflection, helping them recognize the discrepancy between their current behaviors and their broader goals or values.

The approach focuses on building trust and rapport, exploring the individual's reasons for change, and eliciting their intrinsic motivation to take action. By exploring both the pros and cons of their current behavior and the benefits of change, MI helps clients make informed, autonomous decisions about their next steps.

* MI sessions are available in standard counseling sessions.

Narrative Therapy is a collaborative and empowering form of therapy that views individuals as the authors of their own stories. Instead of seeing problems as part of a person’s identity, Narrative Therapy focuses on the idea that people are separate from their problems. This approach allows clients to reframe and rewrite the narrative of their lives, helping them view their struggles from a different perspective.

In Narrative Therapy, the therapist helps clients identify and explore the stories they tell themselves about their experiences, relationships, and identity. Through this process, clients are encouraged to examine how these stories have shaped their lives and to discover new meanings or interpretations that promote healing and growth.

The therapy emphasizes the importance of personal values, skills, and strengths. It also invites clients to recognize how cultural, societal, or external influences may have impacted their self-perception. By creating a new narrative, individuals can reclaim their sense of agency, regain control, and develop a more empowering and positive view of themselves and their futures.

* Narrative Therapy sessions are available in standard counseling sessions.

Play therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses play as a medium for children (and sometimes adults) to express emotions, process experiences, and develop coping skills. Since children often struggle to articulate their thoughts and feelings verbally, play therapy provides a natural and comfortable way for them to communicate.

Sand Tray Therapy is a client-centered, experiential form of therapy that provides a safe and creative way to explore emotions, especially when verbal expression becomes difficult. This therapeutic approach helps individuals address emotional stressors, resolve conflicts, remove obstacles, and connect with their inner self.

In Sand Tray Therapy, clients use figurines and a sand tray to create visual representations of their experiences, feelings, and struggles. Through this process, clients can gain insight into their emotional world and find new ways to process and cope with their challenges. While often used with children, Sand Tray Therapy can be beneficial for individuals of all ages, as it taps into symbolism and metaphors that reflect the client’s life experiences.

These methods allow for a nonverbal form of expression, enabling clients to work through complex emotions in a way that feels safe and empowering, process trauma, and build problem-solving skills.

* Play & Sand Tray Therapy sessions are available in standard counseling sessions.

Psychodrama is an experiential form of therapy that allows individuals to explore emotional issues and personal challenges through action-based methods. Developed by Jacob L. Moreno, Psychodrama incorporates elements of theater to create a safe and trusted space where people can gain deeper insight into their emotional concerns, conflicts, and other life difficulties.

In Psychodrama, clients have the opportunity to enact past events or current situations, helping them gain perspective on their behavior, relationships, and how past experiences are influencing present circumstances. Through role-playing, individuals can evaluate their actions, explore different outcomes, and process emotions in a powerful, hands-on way. This approach facilitates healing by providing a deeper understanding of one’s life story, helping clients work through unresolved issues and make positive changes.

Sociodrama, a related therapeutic approach, focuses on group interactions and collective role-playing, allowing participants to explore social issues and interpersonal dynamics. Unlike Psychodrama, which often centers on individual experiences, Sociodrama focuses on understanding group behaviors, societal roles, and collective experiences. It can be particularly useful in addressing conflicts within groups, communities, or organizations, as it provides a safe space to explore different perspectives and foster empathy.

Both Psychodrama and Sociodrama offer a dynamic and engaging way to process emotions, gain insight, and resolve personal and social challenges through action and group interaction.

* Psychodrama sessions are available in standard counseling sessions, elevated treatment (as supportive add-on services and intensives), and group sessions

The psychodynamic approach is a therapeutic framework that focuses on unconscious processes, early life experiences, and interpersonal relationships to understand and address psychological issues. Rooted in the theories of Sigmund Freud, this approach has evolved through the work of other theorists like Carl Jung, Melanie Klein, and Erik Erikson.

Core Principles of Psychodynamic Therapy

1. Unconscious Mind – Many thoughts, emotions, and memories (especially from childhood) influence behavior without conscious awareness.

2. Early Life Experiences – Childhood relationships, particularly with caregivers, shape personality and coping mechanisms.

3. Defense Mechanisms – The mind unconsciously protects itself from distressing thoughts or feelings through mechanisms like repression, denial, or projection.

4. Transference & Countertransference – The client may unconsciously transfer emotions from past relationships onto the therapist, and the therapist's reactions (countertransference) can provide insight into the client's inner world.

5. Free Association & Interpretation – Exploring thoughts, dreams, and patterns of behavior helps bring unconscious material to awareness for processing and healing.

The goals of a psychodynamic approach are to Increase client’s self-awareness and insight into unconscious patterns, resolve internal conflicts and repressed emotions, improve emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships, and foster long-term personal growth and resilience.

* CBT sessions are available in standard counseling sessions.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a specialized adaptation of CBT designed to help individuals, particularly children, adolescents, and adults, process and heal from the effects of trauma. TF-CBT is grounded in the understanding that traumatic experiences can significantly impact mental health, leading to emotional dysregulation, avoidance behaviors, and negative thoughts about oneself, others, and the world.

TF-CBT combines elements of traditional CBT with trauma-sensitive approaches to help individuals process traumatic memories, regulate intense emotions, and rebuild a sense of safety and trust.

* TF-CBT sessions are available in standard counseling sessions.