Integrating diverse therapy orientations

Because I love helping clients,  I have studied many different therapy approaches.

My original clinical training, in the 1990s, focused on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), attachment theory, and neuropsychology.

With the development of new techniques, I have come to rely extensively on EMDR (Eye-Movement-Desensitization and Reprocessing) to release clients from unnecessary burdens of the past, before we move into the advanced CBT techniques, including exposure-response-prevention (ERP). Even if clients do not seem to not seem have particularly traumatic pasts, EMDR seems to facilitate treatment. Exposure sessions become less intense, and more rapid shifts seem to occur with emotional self-regulation and positive outlook on life.  I offer EMDR therapy to any clients who are willing to explore it. I am an avid educator and like to help clients understand why specific techniques are used and why we would expect them to be beneficial.  We aim for pragmatism and stick with techniques that work for a particular client, following the EMDR motto that “there are no failures, only information.” We do not get hung up on what “should work.” We just go with what does work!

Additionally, I was fortunate to train with mentors in dynamic, humanistic, and interpersonal traditions. Through the years I have added mindfulness/meditation and DBT skills. I also have deep interest in the study of personality, including the Myers Briggs Inventory and the Enneagram.

My extensive clinical experience and the recent discoveries in brain science have convinced me that most good therapy has similar goals and key techniques. Which specific techniques are helpful depends on who the client is and what issues the client presents with.

For Dr. Ostoja’s formal training history, please click here.

To read about what may take place in sessions, please click here.