Dialectical behavior therapy is a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD). DBT has proven most effective with individuals struggling with borderline personality disorder, substance use disorders, self-harm and eating disorders. DBT focuses on the biosocial theory and focusing on emotions in treatment, a consistent dialectical philosophy, and mindfulness and acceptance interventions. Primary skills include helping individuals to regulate overwhelming emotions, practice distress tolerance, mindfulness, and use interpersonal skills.

Mindful self-compassion was developed by Christopher Germer, PhD and Kristin Neff, PhD. Mindful self-compassion teaches skills of mindfulness, common humanity, and self-kindness, providing a powerful tool for emotional resilience. Mindfulness is a powerful first step to turn towards are suffering with kindness and to acknowledge difficult thoughts and feelings with curiosity and warmth. Self-compassion requires the ability to respond to difficult feelings with kindness, empathy, and understanding so that we can soothe and comfort ourselves. Their research has shown that self-compassion enhances well-being, as well as boosts happiness, reduces anxiety and depression.

Narrative therapy is a collaborative and non-pathologizing approach to therapy. A narrative approach views problems as separate from the individual. It is a way of working that considers the broader context of people’s lives particularly in the various dimensions of diversity including class, race, gender, sexual orientation and ability.

Feminist psychotherapy is a theory that derives its inspiration and wisdom from individuals that have been relegated to the margins— including, European American women; people of color; lesbian, gay, and bisexual people; transgender and gender non-conforming people; displaced workers; people living in poverty; people with disabilities; and immigrants and refugees. It is a theory that not only listens to but privileges the voices and experiences of those who have been defined as “other” by dominant cultures. It is also a politically-informed model that observes human experience within the framework of societal and cultural realities and through the dynamics of power that inform those realities. Feminist therapy does not simply study the “other” to offer a neutral perspective on that experience. Rather, what is inherent in feminist therapy is the radical notion that silenced voices of marginalized people are the sources of the greatest wisdom. 

The Be Body Positive Model is comprised of five core Competencies including, reclaiming Health, practicing intuitive self-care, cultivating self-love, declare your own authentic beauty, and building community. The competencies establish foundational building blocks that honor individual authority as the primary path to positive change. 

Pema Chodron says “meditation gives us the opportunity to have an open, compassionate attentiveness to whatever is going on. The meditative space is like the big sky - spacious, vast enough to accommodate anything that arises.”

Focus on the psychological root of emotional suffering. It’s hallmarks of self reflection and examination, and the use of the relationship of therapist and patient to generate change.

Focuses on the individual’s self image and their primary relationships. It helps individuals understand why they act in a certain way based on their needs. It is considered a branch of psychoanalysis and takes many theories from Freudian psychology and Object Relations theory.  It can be helpful for people struggling with self image and identity issues.