MODALITIES
Whole, Not Perfect
All of our modalities are used in a tailored, customized fashion after careful examination of a patient's presenting difficulties, personality type and temperament, and individual’s goal and preferences.
STPP
Short Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
The foundation of therapy is self understanding, specifically when our behaviors, thoughts, and feelings seem at odds with each other or when we know rationally what is the right thing, yet we can’t help but be compelled to do some other opposing thing. It is the mystery of the human psyche that psychodynamic theory tries to untangle by understanding patterns of behavior, unconscious beliefs and ways in which emotional reactions and relational choices which have been unconsciously selected to protect individuals also become entrenched patterns that block them from fully realizing their goals and full potential.
AEDP
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy
A psychodynamically based treatment modality with an emphasis on deep emotional processing in the context of a warm supportive therapeutic relationship. Nestled within an attachment informed understanding of how humans develop both within themselves and in relation to others, this treatment modality offers a relational correction to the original raptures that have occurred. In this environment individuals are able to touch into their deeply painful emotions as well as their exhilarating positive emotions. The deep emotional experience is often transformative and leads to long lasting changes that transcend the treatment office and reshape one’s experience in their everyday life. This modality is particularly well suited for those suffering from attachment trauma or attachment related deficits and syndromes— ED included.
Dr. Lowinger is a level 1 AEDP therapist.
SE&SI
Somatic Experiencing & Somatic Intervention
Somatic based approaches have been developed and used in the treatment of shock trauma and other types of trauma. Those approaches recognize the inextricable connection between body and mind, and how our nervous systems, which are created to help us survive and increase our safety or signal lack thereof are responsible for our greatest fits of survival as well as the aftermath of those episodes– i.e. PTSD and other trauma related symptoms. Somatic based approaches use hypnotic, imaginal and body based states of awareness to revisit painful memories with new opportunities for healing the body and mind, and emphasizing the resources we have available while releasing tension and terror stored in the body without our conscious knowing.
Dr. Lowinger is certified in SI and completing her certification in SE.
FBT
Family Based Therapy for Eating Disorders
This modality is designed for children and adolescents suffering from eating disorders, wherein the main goal of therapy is weight restoration and a return to normal eating. In this model parents are encouraged and supported to temporarily take over the task of re-feeding their child, with the goal of slowly providing increased autonomy with regard to eating as the ED trends are reversed and the weight is restored. This model has been shown to be highly effective in weight restoration and provides a great alternative to residential or day program options for some families.
Dr. Lowinger is a certified FBT provider.
AFT
Adolescent Focused Therapy for Eating Disorders
This treatment modality is an individual, adolescent focused therapy form which aids adolescents in making necessary changes in their lives to gain the needed weight and identify life areas which have been troubling them and which they can now receive help and improve. In this model the assumption is that the ED is a solution or an attempt at coping with challenges in the teenager’s life. The goal in treatment is to help individuals identify those areas and help them catch up to developmentally appropriate standards, while simultaneously letting go of ED related behaviors and thought patterns.
Dr. Lowinger is trained and has received supervision in AFT.
CBT-E
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders
This approach helps individuals restore regular eating patterns, de-emphasize the importance they have attached to weight and shape, and generally identify behaviors and thoughts that maintain the ED. This approach is practical and direct and can be delivered within the 6-12 months time frame work.
DBT
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Provides clients with new skills to manage painful emotions and decrease conflict in relationships. DBT focuses on skills in four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Mindfulness focuses on improving an individual's ability to accept and be present in the moment, distress tolerance refers to a person’s capacity to tolerate rather than try to change or escape negative emotion.
ACT
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
A therapy that is well suited for adolescent and young adults and which develops psychological flexibility. It is a form of behavioral therapy that combines mindfulness skills with the practice of self-acceptance and commitment toward specific goals that are aligned with one’s values and long term goals.