Initial Evaluation and Treatment Plan:

The first step of treatment involves a diagnostic evaluation over the course of two sessions to get a better idea of what’s going on with you and how best to move forward.  The evaluation will focus on current and past symptoms, how they are getting in the way of your life, and treatment goals.  The evaluation may also focus on:

  • Treatment history

  • Developmental and family history, to include any significant life events

  • Social and relationship history

  • Medical history

  • Strengths and goals

All of this information allows us to get to know one another better and come up with an evidence-based treatment plan tailored specifically to your goals.  I tend to take a team approach to treatment, meaning we work collaboratively.  Thus, while I will give you my professional opinion on diagnosis and best course of treatment, you are always in control of your treatment.  If your condition is outside the scope of my practice or you may benefit from psychiatric medications, I will refer you to another clinician who can better meet your needs.

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy differs person to person based on the individualized treatment plan and treatment goals that have been set.  It is most effectively delivered over the course of 50-90 minute, weekly or bi-weekly sessions.  We will determine together early on an approximate length of treatment.  Therapy length can vary tremendously based on diagnoses, severity, and coping resources.     

Over the course of treatment, we will work together using evidence-based therapies in session, and often applied assignments between sessions.  Symptoms and therapy goals will be assessed throughout treatment to ensure we are progressing appropriately.  Once you have achieved the goals you want in therapy, we will together come up with a gradual plan to end therapy.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is a shared therapeutic experience with others who are going through similar issues as you.  Group therapy has several benefits, particularly for certain diagnoses or problems.  One of the main benefits is you realize you are not alone in your experience, as well as being able to learn and gain support from others.  Groups meet weekly.  Groups will be formed once four or more clients show interest in attending a specific group.  Possible group options include:

 

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Skills Group for emotion regulation issues:

DBT has been found to be highly effective for individuals who struggle with managing their emotions (anger, anxiety, stress, sadness) effectively.  Over the course of 24 weeks, group members will use handouts and discussion to learn the following four skills:

  • Mindfulness: the practice of being fully aware and present in this one moment

  • Distress Tolerance: how to tolerate and even accept pain in difficult situations that you cannot change

  • Emotion Regulation: how to change emotions

  • Interpersonal Effectiveness: how to be assertive, set boundaries, and manage conflict while maintaining self-respect and healthy relationships with other

 

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) Group for PTSD:

Dr. Amidon holds CPT groups for combat trauma OR sexual trauma.  CPT focuses heavily on how traumatic experiences have changed your thoughts and beliefs about yourself, the world, and others, and consequently, how your thoughts now influence your mood and actions.  CPT will focus on working through the natural emotions associated with the trauma, and identifying key thoughts resulting from the trauma that are keeping you stuck.  Themes focused on are issues of safety, trust, power and control, esteem, and intimacy. Over the course of 13 sessions, group members will learn how to:

  • Accept the reality of the event(s) you experienced

  • Feel natural emotions associated with this event

  • Develop balanced and realistic beliefs about the event, yourself, and others

 

Moral Injury and Repair Group for Combat Veterans:

Moral injury involves engaging in, failing to prevent, or witnessing acts that go against your deeply held moral beliefs and expectations.  This is often more problematic for combat Veterans than anxiety and PTSD symptoms, resulting in a sense of despair, confusion, mistrust, anger, and shame.  Over the course of 8-12 sessions, group members will:

  • Learn about moral injury, including how and why it develops, causes, and consequences

  • Have opportunities to share morally injurious experiences weighing heavily on them in a confidential, safe environment with other combat Veterans who can relate to them

  • Engage in moral repair exercises both in and outside of group as a way of finding ways to begin to accept and grow in a healthy way from the past, reintegrate back into society, and become the best version of yourself

  • Over time, experience a decreased sense of shame and guilt 

 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Depression:

CBT is all about our mindset: often the way in which we perceive situations has a greater impact on our mood and behaviors than the actual event itself.  By slowing down and becoming more aware of our thoughts, we can shift towards a more positive mindset, improved mood, and increased quality of life.  Over the course of 12 sessions group members will learn:

  • How your thoughts impact your mood and your behavior

  • How to become more aware of, analyze, and accept or change thoughts

  • How daily activities can impact mood, learning to set achievable daily goals

  • How contact with people can impact mood, learning to develop healthier relationships

 

Values and Goals:

Values and goals group is a strengths-based, positive group focused on building resiliency and helping you to find the very best within yourself.  Drawing from positive psychology and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, over the course of 10-12 sessions group members will:

  • Examine and explore your key values

  • Identify goals for the future

  • Identify your key strengths and determine how these can be used in everyday life to cope more effectively, build a more positive sense of self, improve relationships, create purpose and meaning in life, and thrive!   

This group is particularly helpful for individuals struggling with self-esteem issues, depression, or PTSD.

 

Maintenance Support Group:

This is group for clients who have completed individual or group therapy and would like on-going support.  The group meets twice monthly to review skills and offer further support.