Stephanie Gross

IFS is a therapeutic model that views the mind as composed of different “parts,” each with its own roles, emotions, and perspectives, and a core “Self” that is calm, compassionate, and capable of healing. IFS helps individuals understand and harmonize their internal system by addressing protective parts (managers and firefighters) and wounded parts (exiles), fostering greater self-awareness and emotional healing.

Brainspotting is a somatic therapy that helps clients access the subcortical (non-verbal) part of the brain, where trauma is typically stored. According to the creator of Brainspotting, David Grand, “Where you look affects how you feel.” Since our eyes give us access to the subcortical brain, Brainspotting uses the visual field as a way to help release stored memories. If you’d like more information on Brainspotting, please click here.

The T.R.I.P approach involves working with trauma and its impact on the person as a whole. This approach recognizes that frequently memories are implicit and stored at a body level. The assumption of T.R.I.P is that the body, brain, emotions, beliefs, sensations, and relationships need both regulation and integration for the person to feel alive, and live in the present.

The T.R.I.P model has been influenced by the ideas, theories, concepts, and practices of the following therapies and seeks to integrate key aspects of each of these therapies:

1. OEI – One Eye Integration/Observed & Experiential Integration
2. IFS – Internal Family Systems
3. SP/SE – Sensorimotor Psychotherapy/Somatic Experiencing
4. EFT – Emotionally Focused Therapy
5. Developmental Attachment theory – Dr, G. Neufeld (Neufeld institute)

EFT/EFIT assists individuals and couples in exploring and identifying automatic negative cycles of interactions that lead to distress and disconnection in relationships. EFT considers each partner’s attachment styles and helps to identify underlying emotions that trigger the automatic negative cycles.

Mapping the automatic negative cycles, and identifying and expressing underlying soft emotions helps couples gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their partner, and the relationship. Couples will also learn how to navigate challenging situations and authentically express their emotions in ways that create connection and trust.

Discernment Counseling is a unique approach to counseling that can last between 1-5 sessions. DC specifically helps couples arrive at a greater clarity and confidence in their decision-making about the future of their relationship based on a deeper understanding of the problems in the relationship and the ways each person contributes.

When addressing dissociative disorders such as OSDD and DID, I use the Phase Oriented Treatment of Structural Dissociation model. Dissociative disorder treatment involves communication and collaboration, both within the system and the therapeutic relationship.

With the knowledge that every system is highly unique, I use the phase-oriented approach as a general guideline to treatment while focusing on collaborative treatment planning by hearing the wants, goals, fears, and needs of each part of the system.