Modalities
Narrative Therapy
Narrative therapy is a depth-oriented modality that allows us to separate ourselves from our challenges and examine the stories we tell ourselves about our lives. narrative therapy involves complex conversations examining the personal, familial, and societal factors that contribute to our challenges.
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Many people think that narrative therapy focuses on telling personal narratives from your life. although you will reflect on personal stories and experiences during narrative therapy, the term “narrative” actually refers to the narratives we construct about our lives, which we might also call “core beliefs” or “schemas.”
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narrative therapy is a non-pathologizing approach that helps you understand the wide variety of factors that can cause problems in your life, rather than blaming yourself.
narrative therapy has a unique focus on examining cultural, social, and spiritual factors that influence how your challenges have developed.
narrative therapy assumes you have many skills, resources, beliefs, and values that will support you in enacting change in your life.
if you have previously felt like the explanation for your challenges was too simple, or like your existing strengths were not valued in therapy, narrative therapy might be a good fit for you.
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Narrative therapy prioritizes in-depth conversations by asking questions that we do not yet know the answers to. Sessions are not structured around homework or worksheets; instead, they are focused on deeper levels of communication and collaboration with your therapist.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy
IFS is a non-pathologizing therapeutic approach that views the mind as made up of different “parts,” each shaped by life experiences. By helping us understand and engage with these parts (especially those carrying the impact of trauma) IFS supports healing, self-understanding, and internal integration.
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Talking about “parts” can sound unfamiliar at first, and it’s common to worry that having parts means something is wrong or that your mental health is worsening.
In fact, everyone has parts. We might use this language when we say things like, “Part of me wants to go to dinner, but part of me wants to stay home.”
IFS is a non-pathologizing approach that accepts and honours our various parts, with the knowledge that everyone experiences inner conflict at times.
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IFS has a unique structure that involves identifying parts and communicating with them to understand how they function in our internal system.
IFS is an experiential therapy that can allow us to re-experience difficult moments from a new perspective.
IFS believes that every person has a core self that is naturally confident, capable, and compassionate. IFS helps us access those traits, knowing that they are already within us.
IFS works at the pace that is most comfortable for our inner system. If we are challenged by an exercise or are not ready to explore a certain topic, we lean into that feeling and learn from it.
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IFS sessions use the language of “parts” as a way to deeply understand ourselves and our inner processes. In session, we try to communicate directly with our parts, think about what our parts need from us, and learn to navigate our internal system with compassion.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT is an evidence-based modality based on the principle of finding balance between acceptance and change. DBT’s core goal is to help you build a life worth living, through a combination of skill building, self reflection, and existential exploration.
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DBT is not solely focused on building skills. Although ensuring stability and enhancing skills for managing emotions are important first steps, DBT was always designed with deeper self reflection and existential exploration in mind.
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DBT highlights acceptance and mindfulness more than many other forms of therapy.
DBT is highly practical, focusing on how you can apply the information discussed in session in your real life.
DBT has a specific emphasis on improving your relationships through effective communication.
if you have previously found therapy to be overly vague, impractical, or keeping you stuck in the past, dbt might be a good option for you.
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olivia uses an integrative approach that combines core principles of dbt with narrative therapy, so sessions might look different than you’d expect.
Dbt skills and concepts will be explored in session especially when you’re looking for practical ways of addressing the deeper ideas already discussed.
additionally, dbt involves existential and spiritual exploration, which fits well with the curiosity-driven nature of narrative therapy.
Other Modalities
although narrative therapy, IFs, and dbt are olivia’s primary modalities, her approach also integrates:
existential therapy
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
SoLUTION FOCUSED BRIEF THERAPY (sfbt)