Therapy Approaches & Modalities We Use
Every person and every goal is different, so our therapists draw on a range of evidence-based and evidence-informed approaches. Below is an overview of the modalities we use at Therapy Utah, what each one focuses on, and the kinds of concerns it commonly helps with. Your therapist will tailor the approach to you during your first sessions.
| Modality or approach | What it focuses on | Commonly used for |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) | Identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors | Anxiety, depression, stress, shame, negative thinking, behavioral concerns, and coping skills |
| Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) | Building mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness | Emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, self-harm, suicidal ideation, intense relationships, trauma symptoms, and boundary difficulties |
| Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) | Accepting difficult internal experiences while making choices based on personal values | Anxiety, depression, avoidance, grief, identity concerns, life transitions, and finding purpose |
| Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) | Reprocessing distressing memories using bilateral stimulation | Trauma, PTSD, betrayal trauma, grief, anxiety, shame, and disturbing memories |
| Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) | Using eye movements, imagery, and memory rescripting to reduce distress connected to painful experiences | Trauma, PTSD, anxiety, grief, phobias, shame, and distressing memories |
| Internal Family Systems (IFS) | Understanding protective, reactive, and wounded internal parts while strengthening compassionate Self-leadership | Trauma, shame, self-criticism, attachment wounds, anxiety, inner conflict, and emotional dysregulation |
| Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT) | Combining attachment theory, neuroscience, and nervous-system regulation to improve relationship safety and functioning | Relationship conflict, communication difficulties, attachment injuries, trust concerns, and emotional disconnection |
| Gottman Method Couples Therapy | Teaching evidence-informed skills for communication, friendship, conflict management, trust, and intimacy | Couples experiencing conflict, emotional distance, communication problems, infidelity, and relationship transitions |
| APSATS-Informed Treatment | Providing trauma-informed support for partners affected by sexual betrayal or compulsive sexual behavior | Betrayal trauma, disclosure preparation, emotional safety, stabilization, boundaries, grief, and rebuilding trust |
| CSAT-Informed Treatment | Assessing and treating compulsive sexual behavior and sexual addiction using specialized recovery frameworks | Compulsive sexual behavior, pornography concerns, sexual addiction, relapse prevention, accountability, and relationship repair |
| Play Therapy | Using play as a developmentally appropriate way for children to communicate, process experiences, and practice new skills | Childhood anxiety, trauma, grief, behavioral concerns, emotional regulation, family changes, and attachment difficulties |
| Child-Centered Play Therapy | Allowing the child to lead the play while the therapist provides safety, acceptance, empathy, and consistent boundaries | Self-esteem, anxiety, trauma, behavioral concerns, emotional expression, attachment needs, and developmental challenges |
| Sandtray Therapy | Using miniature figures and a tray of sand to symbolically represent experiences, relationships, and emotions | Trauma, grief, anxiety, identity concerns, attachment wounds, family conflict, and experiences that are difficult to verbalize |
| Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) | Identifying strengths, existing resources, exceptions to problems, and small steps toward a preferred future | Goal setting, life transitions, motivation, relationship concerns, stress, anxiety, depression, and brief therapy needs |
| Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) | Using attachment theory and emotional processing to identify and transform patterns that interfere with secure connection | Relationship distress, attachment wounds, emotional disconnection, trauma, family conflict, and difficulty expressing needs (individuals, couples, and families) |
| Brainspotting | Using specific points in a client’s visual field, focused attention, and body awareness to support the processing of distressing experiences | Trauma, anxiety, grief, emotional triggers, performance concerns, distressing memories, and body-based trauma responses |
| Lifespan Integration (LI) | Using a chronological timeline of memories and imagery to help the nervous system recognize that past experiences are over and integrate them | Developmental trauma, attachment wounds, childhood neglect, anxiety, shame, dissociation, grief, and difficulties connected to earlier life experiences |
| Mindfulness-Based Therapy | Building present-moment awareness and non-judgmental attention to thoughts, feelings, and body sensations | Anxiety, stress, depression, emotional regulation, rumination, and overall wellbeing |
Not every therapist is trained in every modality. Several of our clinicians also have specialized training in areas such as ADHD and betrayal-trauma recovery. When you reach out, we’ll help match you with a therapist whose training fits your needs.