How I Work at Southwest Counseling Center
Why Therapy Approaches Matter
Not all therapy is the same. Some therapists focus only on listening, while others may stick to one method. At Southwest Counseling Center in Chandler, AZ, I believe in using evidence-based approaches—methods backed by decades of research that actually help people make lasting changes.
I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all counseling. Instead, I combine approaches like the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) depending on what you’re working through. These aren’t just therapy buzzwords—they’re proven ways to improve relationships, manage emotions, and build healthier patterns.
The Gottman Method
The Gottman Method is one of the most well-researched couples therapy approaches in the world, with more than 40 years of science behind it. This method helps couples identify negative patterns, reduce conflict, and strengthen their friendship and intimacy.
In practice, this means learning skills like how to de-escalate arguments before they spiral, how to repair emotional injuries, and how to build what the Gottmans call “love maps”—a deeper understanding of your partner’s inner world. Couples often find that these strategies make conversations feel safer and less explosive, even when tackling difficult topics.
Whether you’re dealing with betrayal, constant fighting, or just emotional distance, the Gottman Method offers clear, practical tools to get your relationship back on track.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
At its core, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is about rebuilding emotional safety and connection in relationships. Many conflicts aren’t really about dishes, money, or parenting—they’re about unmet emotional needs and fears of disconnection.
EFT helps couples recognize the negative cycles they get stuck in (like one partner pursuing while the other withdraws) and replace them with new patterns that foster closeness instead of distance. By addressing the emotional layer of conflict, EFT allows couples to move past surface-level fights and get to what’s really driving the disconnection.
Research shows EFT is one of the most effective ways to improve relationship satisfaction and long-term stability. It’s especially powerful for couples dealing with trust issues, emotional distance, or recurring conflict.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT is an approach originally designed for people who struggle with intense emotions, but it’s useful for anyone who feels like their emotions sometimes “run the show.” DBT combines acceptance and change—it helps you acknowledge your feelings without judgment while also learning skills to manage them better.
In therapy, DBT techniques focus on four areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. In other words, it helps you stay present, calm yourself during high-stress moments, manage overwhelming feelings, and communicate more effectively.
If anger, anxiety, or conflict tends to escalate quickly, DBT provides practical, real-time tools to bring balance back.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the most widely used forms of therapy—and for good reason. It looks at the link between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Often, unhelpful thought patterns (“I’ll never be good enough” or “This always ends badly”) drive negative feelings and actions. CBT helps you catch those thoughts, challenge them, and replace them with healthier perspectives.
In therapy, CBT might involve tracking your thought patterns, identifying triggers, and practicing new behaviors that support your goals. It’s straightforward, practical, and highly effective for issues like anxiety, anger, and self-esteem struggles.
Think of CBT as a way to rewire the mental habits that keep you stuck—so you can create new ones that move you forward.
Real Results.
No Fluff.
Evidence-Based Tools
Direct & Compassionate
Specialized Experience
