Therapy Services in Reno: Overview of Our Approach

Introduction

At Individual & Relationship Counseling Associates, we specialize in providing compassionate and effective therapy services in Reno, NV. Our approach is rooted in attachment science. Thereby, ensuring that our clients receive the most impactful therapy, whether they are seeking help individually or as a couple. Learn more about Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), a gold-standard therapy.

Key Features of Our Attachment-Based Therapy Services in Reno, NV

• Grounded in attachment science and research.
• Adaptable to couple, individual or family therapy.
• Collaborative and respectful client-therapist relationship.
• Focuses on healing emotional wounds from early attachments.
• Aims to foster secure, healthy relationships.
• Enhances emotional regulation and interpersonal skills.
• Utilizes well-defined, research-validated interventions.

Attachment-based psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach grounded in the principles of attachment theory. The  emphasis is on the importance of early emotional bonds and their impact on psychological development and relationships throughout life.

Attachment Theory is one of the most important contributions to modern therapy. Developed by John Bowlby, attachment theory posits that our early relationships with caregivers form the blueprint for our emotional and relational patterns [1]. These early attachment experiences shape our ability to form secure bonds, manage emotions, and navigate interpersonal relationships [2]. When disruptions or traumas occur in these early attachments, individuals may struggle with emotional and relationship stability.

At Individual & Relationship Counseling Associates, we integrate these insights to address and heal the deep-seated emotional wounds that influence our clients' current functioning and relationships. By focusing on the underlying attachment dynamics, we aim to foster secure, healthy relationships and emotional well-being through our therapy in Reno, NV.

About Our Therapeutic Process

• Research-Based Conceptualizations
  • Our approach is grounded in clear, explicit research-based conceptualizations of individual growth, health, and dysfunction, as well as relationship distress and adult love.
• Collaboration and Respect
  • We prioritize a collaborative and respectful approach, helping clients understand their emotions, manage them, and improve their relationships.

• Clear and Specified Interventions
  • Our change strategies and interventions are well-defined, providing a structured path to healing and growth.
• Mapping the Change Process
  • Key moves and moments in the change process are mapped into three stages of therapy, including key change events that predict success at the end of therapy [3].
• Validated Through Research
  • Our methods, particularly Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), have been validated by over 30 years of empirical, peer-reviewed outcome research [5]. Here is more information about what EFT is.

Addressing Individual and Relationship Needs

Whether you are seeking individual therapy with us to address personal challenges or couples therapy to improve your relationship, our attachment-based approach can help:

• Individual Therapy
  • We help individuals heal from past attachment wounds, enhance emotional regulation, and build healthier relationships. Our goal for every individual we work with is that they become more self-accepting and self-aware.
• Couples Therapy
  • We assist couples in understanding and transforming their attachment patterns, fostering deeper emotional connections and resolving conflicts [6].

Additional Information

• Frequently Asked Questions
  •  See Our FAQ's Here
• Client Testimonials
  • Read What Others Have Had to Say
• Our Therapists
  • Meet Our Team

References

1. Bowlby, J. (1982). Attachment and Loss: Vol. 1. Attachment. New York: Basic Books.
2. Ainsworth, M. D. S., Blehar, M. C., Waters, E., & Wall, S. (1978). Patterns of Attachment: A Psychological Study of the Strange Situation. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
3. Johnson, S. M. (2004). The Practice of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy: Creating Connection. New York: Brunner-Routledge.
4. Johnson, S. M., & Greenman, P. S. (2006). The path to a secure bond: Emotionally focused couple therapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session, 62(5), 597-609.
5. Wiebe, S. A., & Johnson, S. M. (2016). A review of the research in emotionally focused therapy for couples. Family Process, 55(3), 390-407.
6. Dalgleish, T. L., Johnson, S. M., Burgess Moser, M., Lafontaine, M. F., Wiebe, S. A., & Tasca, G. A. (2015). Predicting change in marital satisfaction throughout emotionally focused couple therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 41(3), 276-291.