POLYVAGAL THEORY (PVT)
PVT is a helpful, non-pathologizing way to understand your own biology and responses to life’s demands. It provides a comprehensive overview of the autonomic nervous system and simple interventions that result in profound changes to our internal and external experiences. It emphasizes a bottom-up approach, meaning working with the body and lower brain structures, because of its effectiveness; however, top-down exercises are used as well. PVT involves somatic techniques and lays the groundwork for more in-depth trauma therapies.
 

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EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION REPROCESSING (EMDR)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, evidence-based therapy designed to help people heal from distressing experiences by supporting the brain’s natural ability to process and integrate memories. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements, tapping, or sounds—to help clients stay grounded in the present while revisiting experiences that still feel emotionally charged. This dual focus allows the memory to be processed in a way that reduces its emotional intensity and helps the brain form more adaptive, balanced beliefs. EMDR does not require clients to provide detailed narratives of their experiences; instead, it gently targets the thoughts, feelings, and body sensations associated with the memory. Over time, clients often experience decreased reactivity, increased emotional regulation, and a greater sense of empowerment as distressing memories lose their impact. EMDR is widely used for trauma, anxiety, stress, and other concerns, and can be adapted to each client’s pace and comfort level.

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INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS (IFS)

IFS is a non-pathologizing approach to psychotherapy that emphasizes the natural multiplicity of the mind. That our internal world is made up of the “Self” and various “Parts”. IFS aims to help clients bolster the “Self”, which is the innate presence within each person that is the pure essence of who they are. Being in Self is characterized by the 8 C’s of self-energy: Curiosity, Calm, Clarity, Connectedness, Confidence, Courage, Creativity, and Compassion. 

IFS posits that we are all born with multiplicity, meaning there are various aspects or parts of us. By living in the world, experiencing relationships with different people, and by experiencing scary, harmful, or overwhelming events, parts develop their own beliefs, thoughts, and feelings about those experiences. All parts act from a place of positive intention. When a part feels threatened and doesn’t trust the Self, it acts out to try to protect the system. Because Parts are often stuck in time or polarized with one another, the behaviours they elicit are extreme or out of sync with reality. The goal of IFS therapy is to help the client access their Self and befriend their managers and firefighters. Then, in Self, the goal is for the client to access exiled parts and heal them through the unburdening process. 

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DEEP BRAIN REORIENTING (DBR)

Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) is a gentle, neuroscience-informed trauma therapy that focuses on the body’s natural orienting reflex—the instinctive shift in attention and muscle tension that occurs when we sense threat. DBR helps clients access and process the earliest layers of traumatic experience by following these subtle bodily cues, rather than diving directly into overwhelming emotions or memories. This approach allows the nervous system to unwind trauma at a pace that feels safe and manageable. As clients track the sequence of tension, emotion, and meaning connected to past events, they can release deeply held survival responses and create new pathways for calm and connection. DBR is particularly supportive for individuals with developmental or attachment trauma, shock trauma, or long-standing patterns rooted in early experiences. Over time, many clients notice greater emotional regulation, reduced reactivity, and an increased sense of internal stability and resilience.

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EXPRESSIVE ART THERAPY

Expressive Arts Therapy is a creative, integrative approach that uses art-making to support emotional healing, self-expression, and personal growth. Rather than focusing on artistic skill or producing a “perfect” finished piece, this modality emphasizes the process of creating—through mediums such as drawing, painting, movement, writing, or collage—as a way to safely explore thoughts, feelings, and experiences that may be difficult to express verbally. The multisensory nature of expressive arts can help clients access deeper layers of insight, connect with intuition, and engage the mind and body in a more holistic way. In therapy, the creative process becomes a gentle container for reflection, empowerment, and regulation, making it especially supportive for those navigating stress, trauma, or life transitions. Over time, clients often experience increased self-awareness, emotional clarity, and a strengthened sense of agency as they discover new ways to understand and express their inner world.

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INTIMACY FROM THE INSIDE OUT (IFIO)

Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO) is a relational therapy model based on Internal Family Systems (IFS) that supports couples and partners in understanding the inner “parts” that shape their interactions. Instead of blaming or reacting from defensive patterns, IFIO helps each person slow down, tune into their emotions, and speak from their calm, grounded Self. This creates space for clearer communication, empathy, and deeper connection. In sessions, partners learn to recognize how protective parts—such as anger, withdrawal, or criticism—often emerge to manage vulnerability, and how these patterns can be softened with curiosity and compassion. By fostering greater self-awareness and helping each person stay anchored in their Self during difficult moments, IFIO allows couples to navigate conflict with more openness and create new, healing experiences with one another. Over time, this approach strengthens trust, emotional safety, and the capacity to stay connected even during challenging conversations.

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