Therapy is a collaborative process and works best with the feedback of the client. The therapist then uses this information to help identify the best way to serve your needs. In order to provide you the most individualized therapy experience we apply The Ways Paradigm.

The Ways Paradigm proposes that counseling approaches can be organized into three main areas: a way of being, a way of understanding and a way of intervening (Cheston, 2000).

Way of Being:

The way of being refers to a counselor’s presence in the room with a client (Cheston, 2000).This is reflective of the philosophy of the agency and the authentic identity of the therapist. This philosophy is interwoven throughout the therapeutic experience. This cannot cannot be changed.

This is why you can "just click" with someone and know it is a good fit. It could be why you may not have enjoyed your other therapy experiences in the past and if so, I encourage you to keep looking until you find the right fit.

Way of Understanding:

The way of understanding encompasses how a counselor might understand human development, personality theory, conscious and unconscious, and ways people evolve over time (Cheston, 2000). This frames how the therapist comes to understand the client's lived experience and identity. This can change based upon what the focus of the client and what their immediate needs are.

A therapist may provide psychoeducation on these materials to also help the client better understand their self and others.

Way of Intervening:

The way of intervening describes the techniques we use, questions we ask, skills we teach, treatment plans, interventions (Cheston, 2000). These are the various therapeutic modalities a therapist will use in the session to help create change, develop insight, and encourage self reflection.

The therapist applies the way of being and understanding to identify what could best support the client in their goals. This is reflective of the therapists training and experience. As well as what is developmentally appropriate for the client. This can be fluid and is directly connected to responding to the client's needs.

What does this mean?

Here is an example:

A client is a 45 year old male who has a history of trauma and abuse from early childhood. He comes to therapy to work through his strong responses of anger and to prevent losing his job.

Way of Being: At RISE Wellness & Therapy, PLLC we will use our strength based approach to help the client identify their past strengths and success. How did they manage anger in the past, what's changed?

Way of Understanding: Applying theory from survivors of childhood abuse and children of alcoholics. We will use this to inform why the client may potentially be responding the way they are. Using a collaborative approach we will identify if the connections are reflective of the client's lived experience.

Way of Intervening: Based on the client's history of trauma an appropriate intervention could be the use of Brainspotting to help the client process some of the unresolved trauma.

Now, if the same client was not 45 years old but instead 15 years old. The client and caregivers expressed against using Brainspotting, we would meet them where they are at. We may instead use an art therapy intervention or even sandtray therapy. Depending on how the client wants to express themselves.

Reference and Resource

Cheston, S. E. (2000). A new paradigm for teaching counseling theory and practice. Counselor Education And Supervision, 39(4), 254-269. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6978.2000.tb01236.x

At RISE Wellness & Therapy, PLLC our values are indicative of our services, approach to therapy, and agency.

Growth:

As professionals we value life long learning and development. We are always looking to expand on our professional experiences in order to serve our clients better. Our dedication to our own growth and development is reflective of fostering an environment where curiosity, taking calculated risks, and redefining your own self, is respected and encouraged.

Community:

We believe in fostering a safe community to serve all people regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, language, immigration status, color, age, religion, gender, gender expression, sex, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, physical ability and or mental ability. Here in our space you are seen, welcomed, accepted and it is your space of healing.

We are dedicated to serving our community with the tools we have and sharing with those in need. As community members we seek out opportunities to also be leaders and welcome innovative ways to be of service.

Empowerment

As an agency we believe that we cannot give anyone their power, the individual is responsible for creating their own empowerment. However, we cultivate an abundance mindset. We believe that we can give and share our own tools in order to help others redefine their tools to create their empowerment.

As individuals we believe that in becoming our best version of our self creates space for you to become the best version of yourself. Within that space their will be moments of failure and vulnerability. However, as a community we will be there to help raise you up and to share in your experience.

Integrity:

In order to foster a space of healing, we must always uphold our highest level of integrity. Which includes holding healthy boundaries and upholding ethical guidelines. We value transparency, honesty and understanding to honor the therapeutic relationship and all relationships connected to RISE Wellness & Therapy, PLLC.