Arizona Family Counseling logo
What We Do

Counseling Approaches

We offer a variety of counseling methods.

Counseling Approaches and Interventions

Discover our counseling methods, techniques, and interventions.

Types of Counseling and Approaches We Offer

Therapist meeting with a young woman suffering from emdr

EMDR Therapy

EMDR therapy is an evidence-based treatment for a variety of symptoms related to trauma, anxiety, panic disorders, and depression which uses the brain’s own mechanisms for processing and holding memory to “digest” and make meaning of even the most traumatic memories.

The girl is actively describing her experience with the counselor

Solution-Focused Counseling

Solution-Focused Counseling is a form of brief counseling that focuses on the client’s strengths and seeks to use those strengths to create healing and growth. Solution-Focused Counseling helps clients focus on small achievable goals and celebrates successes while discussing how those successes result in a greater sense of wellbeing. Solution-Focused Counseling is geared toward solving present problems rather than processing past issues. 

Couples smiling and looking at each other in a therapy session

Couples Counseling

Our counselors serve couples in all stages of life… from dating to engagement, from marriage to re-marriage, and everything in between! Couples counseling can help partners look at relational patterns, attachment issues, readiness for marriage, and so much more. Couples counseling is not just for couples who are experiencing difficulty. Our counselors also work with couples to better their relationship or to prepare couples for the commitment of building a new life together.

Parents with their kid child meeting with a counselor

Family Counseling

Family Counseling works to improve not only individual struggles, but also the relational challenges between family members. Family Counseling may include individual and group counseling sessions, as appropriate, as the counselor works to understand the role that each family member plays within the entire family.

Girl sitting on the sofa to meet with a counselor

Integrative Parenting

Integrative Parenting is a counseling method that focuses on the needs of children and parents both separately and independently. Integrative Parenting teaches children and parents the necessary skills for recognizing and coping with feelings, reducing conflict, and more. This method is typically used when working with children who have experienced trauma, and it can include EMDR as part of the process. Integrative Parenting may involve more than one counselor in the process of helping you meet your family goals.

Counselor is meeting with a kid who shows her painting to the counselor.

Art Therapy

Our counselors use several tools to help children and families express themselves. Art is one amazing way to do this! Drawing or painting pictures of family members and their connections can help children express their perspectives on the important relationships in their lives. Similarly, drawing or painting pictures about one’s hopes and dreams can help children cast a vision for what healing may look like. Art therapy can help children overcome bad dreams, process past experiences, and work through self-esteem issues.

Teenage boy at meeting with female professional doctor psychologist

Expressive Therapy

Trauma pioneer, Bessel van der Kolk, suggests that the body stores trauma… especially when the mind cannot process it.  Our counselors are qualified as specialists in trauma-focused therapy.  Expressive therapy can be very helpful in working through trauma.  Expressive therapy can include deep breathing work, stretching, and body movement promote relaxation, regulation, and processing.

Young school psychologist analyzing boy's behavior during session

Play Therapy

It has been said that play is the language of children, and we believe this is true! Our counselors recognize that children are often not able to speak thoughts and feelings, and as a result, play can be used as an effective tool to encourage a child’s self-expression. Play Therapy may include role-play with toys or costumes, storytelling, or games. The goal of Play Therapy is to create a safe and comfortable environment in which children can express themselves.

Children who have experienced trauma may benefit from Play Therapy, as it allows them to express thoughts and feelings about a time when they were not yet able to use words. Play Therapy may also improve attachment to caregivers, as it breaks down barriers by creating fun experiences that lead to unity. Interestingly, adults can also benefit from the stress relief that Play Therapy provides. Therapy is about healing the whole person, and play is a way to begin healing the body, soul, mind, and spirit.

Little girl playing sandbox with her dad

Sand Tray Therapy

Sand Tray Therapy involves the use of a sandbox, figurines, and play objects to tell stories. Sand Tray Therapy is a form of Play Therapy in that it uses objects, rather than words, to share thoughts and feelings. Our counselors offer sand trays to child and adult clients as a way to explore thoughts and feelings about self and others, life themes, hopes, and dreams.

Happy family time, parents and kids are reading and playing

Attachment Work

Our childhood experiences with caregivers influence how we approach our relationships and interactions later in life. The good news is that even if you did not have the best childhood experiences, with intentional effort, you can develop a positive secure attachment as an adult. Our counselors can help you identify your childhood attachment style and provide a plan to guide you towards an earned secure adult attachment.

en_USEN