Therapeutic Modalities
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies (CBT)
CBT is a structured, short-term, present-oriented, rational, technique-based, behavioral-outcome-focused form of psychotherapy used to solve current problems and focuses on changing one’s habitual patterns of thinking and behaving. Treatment is based upon the understanding of the individual client’s specific beliefs and patterns of behavior. Behavioral techniques are based on the stimulus-response model emphasizing how past experiences and environmental factors shape behavior. CBT was partially founded out of Stoicism.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- I-CBT: Inference-based CBT
- CBTp: CBT for Psychosis
- Rational Living Therapy
- Certified Mental Health Technician
- National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists (NACBT)
- Rational Psychotherapy (aka REBT)
- REBT: Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy by Dr. Albert Ellis
- Stoic Theory is central to REBT
- Reality Therapy
Experiential Psychotherapies
Experiential psychotherapies emphasize guiding the client through direct, in-the-moment experiences to actively explore emotions, body sensations, and past experiences in real-time to create meaningful experiences that can lead to change by tapping into a deeper, often non-verbal level of awareness. The focus is on helping clients experience and process emotions and memories to facilitate self-awareness, change, and growth rather than intellectualize them.
- Focusing-oriented Psychotherapy (aka Focusing) by Dr. Eugene Gendlin
- Gestalt Therapy
- Integral Eye-Movement Therapy (IEMT)
- Association for IEMT Practitioners
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy
- Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Mindfulness-based Models
Mindfulness is being aware of present moment experience. It is recognizing and acknowledging the reality of a situation – what actually is. Shawn outlines mindfulness into four steps: 1) Awareness of the present moment, 2) Acknowledge that this is reality, 3) Accept what actually is, and 4) Mindful deliberation.
- Body Meditation
- 6-month study and practice with a private meditation teacher
- Mindfulness-based Interventions
Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a process of inducing a trance-like state where the mind becomes absorbed and focused. The intent of the trance state (absorption and focus) is up to the individual. A “hypnotic state” occurs when the conscious mind becomes less active, and the ‘other-than-conscious mind’ (aka the unconscious mind) becomes more receptive to suggestions, allowing for changes in perception, beliefs, and behavior.
- Certified Hypnotist
- Client-centered, integrative hypnosis; regression; and hypnotic coaching.
- Certified through the National Guild of Hypnotists.
- Trained in-person through Virginia Hypnosis, San Diego Hypnosis Institute, The Center For Integrative Hypnosis, and The Intelligent Hypnotist.
Coaching
Coaching is the practice of helping everyday people with everyday (normal, non-clinical) problems using specific change work methods and models. The coaching world helps people improve their existing performance and skills, focusing on specific tasks and objectives while working through limitations or blockages within themselves.
- Core Transformations Training (Connirae Andreas NLP)
- Emotional Freedom Techniques, Positive EFT Facilitator
- CBT-based Coaching, Certified Master Life Coach
- Behavioral Healthcare Consulting Training Institute
Education
I studied philosophy and psychology at Carroll Community College and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), and I majored in social work at UMBC. In graduate school, I studied social work with a concentration in clinical behavioral health and a sub-specialty in employee assistance programs (EAPs). While in graduate school, I was concurrently enrolled at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) to take additional coursework in human services counseling specializing in alcohol and drug counseling, earning my certificate in behavioral health counseling from CCBC.
I was awarded the BHWISE-IOWA fellowship, a federally funded training program that provides specialized training seminars, focused coursework, and field placements working with adults experiencing addiction. The BHWISE-IOWA (Behavioral Health Workforce Integration Service and Education – Interprofessional Opioid Workforce Advancement) fellowship trained graduate students to collaborate with professionals on integrated behavioral health teams.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Clinical Behavioral Health and Employee Assistance Program
University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), Baltimore, MD
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BSW)
Minor in Philosophy
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Baltimore, MD
Behavioral Health Counseling Certificate
Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), Baltimore, MD
Associate of Arts in Arts and Science
Carroll Community College (CCC), Westminster, MD