Individual Therapy

Individual therapy (sometimes called “psychotherapy” or “counseling”) is a process where individuals work with a trained therapist to process address a variety of issues. Issues can include stress, trauma, conflictual relationships, or finding a better work/life balance. Therapy happens in a safe and confidential environment. My therapy style is very client centered. My goal is to help clients identify and reach his/her individual goals.

Individual therapy sessions are generally 45-50 minutes in length and individuals are welcome to invite others if he/she/they feel(s) it would be beneficial. There is no right or wrong way to share feelings in therapy. I have seen most everything including tears, swearing, laughing, etc. This is a place for people to explore their feelings, beliefs, or behaviors, work through challenging or influential memories, identify aspects of their lives that they would like to change, better understand themselves and others, set personal goals, and work toward desired change.

In the first session I ask lots of questions and do an assessment. This gives me a good idea of the whole person, not just emotionally what is happening. I like to get feedback about what he/she/they think(s) would be helpful and together we decide what direction to go. Sometimes that is just continuing individual therapy, other times it may be adding a referral for another service (ie family counseling, medication management, nutritionist, etc.). Once clients identify the goals to work on in therapy, we work to determine how often session should be and evaluate if they need to continue. Some people may only come for 1-2 sessions and find relief and others may come regularly for several years. Every individual is different, and again, there is not one right or wrong way to do therapy. It is also important to note that you may not feel like I am a good fit for you and that’s OK. My goal is for the individuals who come to my office to find what works for them.

Family Therapy

Family therapy is a process where families work with a trained therapist to process address a variety of issues. Issues can include stress, conflict, trauma, financial issues, family disruption, losses, communication issues, or addictions. Therapy happens in a safe and confidential environment. My therapy style is client centered with a systems perspective. I believe that each person’s actions/reactions impact the relationship, so success is more likely when family members are active participants in the process. My goal is to help families identify and reach their goals.

Family therapy sessions are generally 45-50 minutes in length. Generally all family members are in the first session, and then the family and therapist determine the family’s needs. This is a place for family members to explore their feelings, beliefs, or behaviors, work through challenging or influential memories, identify aspects of their lives that they would like to change, better understand themselves and others, set goals, and work toward desired change.

In the first session I ask lots of questions and do an assessment of the family. This gives me a good idea of each family member, including strengths, needs, and desired outcome. I like to get feedback from family members about what they think would be helpful and together we decide what direction to go. Sometimes that is continuing family therapy, other times it may be adding a referral for another service (ie individual therapy, substance abuse assessment, etc.). Once families identify the goals to work on in therapy, we work to determine how often session should be and evaluate if they need to continue. Some clients may only come for 1-2 sessions and find relief and others may come regularly for several years. Every family is different, and again, there is not one right or wrong way to do therapy. It is also important to note that you may not feel like I am a good fit for you and that’s OK. My goal is for the individuals who come to my office to find what works for them.

Couples/Marriage Therapy

Similarly to individual sessions, the first session will include information gathering as well as input about what you hope to get out of the sessions. This initial sessions generally involves me creating a genogram (or family map). I will ask a ton of questions and get much of the same information as an individual assessment, but just using a different format. I see a marriage/couples/family as a system. If one part of that system is not working well, the rest of the system adjusts to accommodate. Issues that we see in this area include, but are not limited to, affairs, addiction, divorce, blended families, and abuse.

*be sure to check your insurance for coverage

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a form of therapy that helps people heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. EMDR therapy has been extensively researched and has demonstrated effectiveness for trauma. (from EMDRIA)

About EMDR Therapy

Our brains have a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events. This process involves communication between the amygdala (the alarm signal for stressful events), the hippocampus (which assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (which analyzes and controls behavior and emotion). While many times traumatic experiences can be managed and resolved spontaneously, they may not be processed without help. Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts. When distress from a disturbing event remains, the upsetting images, thoughts, and emotions may create feelings of overwhelm, of being back in that moment, or of being “frozen in time.” EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories, and allows normal healing to resume. The experience is still remembered, but the fight, flight, or freeze response from the original event is resolved.”

How is EMDR different from other therapies?

EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue, or homework between sessions. EMDR, rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, allows the brain to resume its natural healing process. EMDR therapy is designed to resolve unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain. Part of the therapy includes alternating eye movements, sounds, or taps. For many clients, EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.

What to expect?

EMDR has 8 phases and the first phases are information gathering, planning and developing coping resources with clients. These phases may take anywhere from 1-2 session to multiple sessions. When the client and therapist agree that it is time to move into processing, the counselor will utilize bilateral stimulation (BLS) to aid in processing. This may be watching the therapist’s hand and tracking with eyes, or may use vibrating buzzers in each hand or tapping on knees. The important thing is that both sides of the brain are engaged. During processing the therapist will sit facing the client but off to the client’s left side. This makes it more conducive for eye movements. To see the tools I use in my office, you can check out this video.
The therapist will use BLS for short periods of time (less than 1 minute) then check in with the client to ask what they are noticing in the body or are thinking. This will continue until the end of session or until the therapist has determined the network has been processed. Therapists are trained to look for several different things in determining this. Depending on the intensity of the processing the therapist may use one of the resourcing techniques from the early phases. The therapist will also ask about physical sensations in addition to emotions. Clients are always able to stop processing at any time. Clients are fully in control of themselves during the process.

Watch a video about EMDR

Telehealth

Online therapy, or “telehealth” is defined as the use of technology to conduct a therapy session. Cultivate Wellness, PLLC, DBA Vivant uses Simple Practice which is a HIPAA compliant platform. This platform uses video and audio technology through a webcam on your device and the counselor’s device to connect securely.

SimplePractice is a fully HIPAA compliant platform. Here are some ways that SimplePractice protects your account information:

• SimplePractice always transmits account information securely with multiple layers of encryption.

• Your passwords are encrypted and not accessible to anyone but you.

• Our servers are housed in a secure facility protected by proximity readers, biometric scanners, and security guards 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

• SimplePractice has received the VeriSign security seal.

• SimplePractice is HITRUST certified. The HITRUST framework is the gold standard of security certifications in the healthcare industry, and it incorporates the entirety of controls required by HIPAA, PCI, NIST CSF, ISO 27001 and ISO 27002.

With any technology there are limitations and potential for technical difficulty. While we try our best to minimize problems, there are some problems outside our control. We are unable to guarantee that services will be work as expected. In the event that there is technical difficulty, we may utilize Doxy.me. Doxy.me complies with the security and privacy requirements of the healthcare industry.

• Doxy.me does not record any video or audio calls or save any chat messages at any time for any reason.

• We utilize the open standard WebRTC point-to-point NIST-approved AES 128 bit encryption for video & audio communication.

• Doxy.me uses full volume encryption and AES 256-bit standard encryption used on all data stored at rest on file servers with secure backups.

• All access to the doxy.me interface (such as the dashboard, waiting room, and any public webpages) is secured over TLS 1.2+ (https), ensuring the information is encrypted.

Independent Contractors/Partners may choose to utilize alternative telehealth platforms. Any platform used will be HIPAA compliant.

Group Counseling Services

Group counseling is a powerful way to connect, heal, and grow alongside others who truly get it. In a supportive and confidential setting, you’ll have the opportunity to share experiences, gain new perspectives, and develop skills to navigate life’s challenges.

Groups are guided by trained providers and focus on specific concerns like anxiety, stress, trauma, disordered eating, or life transitions. Whether you're looking for support, personal growth, or practical tools to manage emotions, group therapy provides a space to feel understood and empowered.

While every group is unique, they all share one common goal: helping you move forward with confidence, knowing you’re not alone.

Understanding Your Group Therapy Options

There are a variety of group therapy formats available. Whether you're looking for structured skill-building, open discussion, or a supportive community, there’s a group designed for you. Here’s what to expect from each option:

Group Format Options

In-Person Groups – These groups meet face-to-face in a comfortable, confidential setting, allowing for deeper connection and engagement.

Online Groups – Conducted via a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform, online groups offer the flexibility to join from anywhere while still receiving meaningful support.

Open Groups – New members can join at any time, making these groups ideal for those who want ongoing support without a long-term commitment.

Closed Groups – A set group of participants begins and ends together, fostering deeper trust and consistency in the therapeutic process.

Time-Limited Groups – These groups run for a specific number of sessions (e.g., 6 or 8 weeks) with a structured focus on a particular topic or skill set.

Ongoing Groups – Designed for long-term support, these groups meet regularly without a defined end date, allowing for continuous personal growth and connection.

Types of Groups

Skills Groups – Focus on teaching practical coping strategies, emotional regulation techniques, and tools for managing specific challenges like anxiety, stress, or burnout.

Process Groups – Centered around open discussion, process groups allow participants to share experiences, explore emotions, and gain insight in a supportive space.

Psychoeducation Groups – Provide education on mental health topics such as trauma, stress, or disordered eating, equipping participants with knowledge and strategies for change.

Therapeutic Groups – A blend of process and skills-based work, these groups support emotional healing, personal growth, and meaningful change.

Who Facilitates Our Groups?

All groups are led by qualified facilitators, ensuring a safe and productive experience. While some groups require a fully licensed clinician (such as trauma-focused or therapeutic groups), others—like skills-based or psychoeducational groups—may be facilitated by trained professionals, including pre-licensed clinicians or specialists in the field. Regardless of the facilitator, every group at Vivant is designed to provide high-quality support in a safe, professional environment.