Treatments | Couples Therapy, EMDR | Dahlya Smolash Psychotherapy

Treating Relationships, Anxiety, and Trauma

Couples Therapy

I have extensive training in couples therapy and use a blended approach that includes EFT, Gottman, PACT, IFS, EMDR for couples, and psychdynamic approaches (see below).

Treatment is available for presenting issues, including:

family of origin issues (and in-laws)
communication
parenting
infidelity
trust and betrayal
intimacy
childhood trauma effects
emotional connection
household chores
time together and apart
finances
time management
finances
values
religion and spirituality
friendship and fondness

Treatment modalities used:

Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) - methods developed and empirically verified by Dr. Susan Johnson teach us how to identify and shift negative interactional cycles (demand/withdraw, attack/attack, freeze/flee), by replacing blame, distancing, and criticism with new emotional experiences of being accessible, responsive, and engaged.
Gottman Therapy - methods scientifically developed by Drs. John & Julie Gottman teach us how to accept "bids for connection" and influence, replace the “four horsemen of the apocalypse” (defensiveness, criticism, stonewalling, contempt) with their antidotes, strengthen "love maps", nurture fondness and admiration, and explore the art of compromise.
EMDR for Couples - I am fully certified in EMDR, an evidence-based model for healing trauma that works with the body's own Adaption Information Processing system to release stored trauma from neural networks of the brain. Partners, working together or separately, process emotional injuries to facilitate new options for relating. Emotional safety is paramount.
Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT) - facilitate safety and connection: reduce threat responses in self and partner by creating a two-person system of nurturance and care based in secure attachment.
Psychodynamic Therapy - explore historical hurts that affect the couple dynamic today, and find new and connected ways to meet your needs as individuals and as a pair, based in Object Relations and Self-In-Relationship-Psychotherapy (SIRP)

Born and raised in Montreal, I enjoy working with people from varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds. My approach to therapy is informed by humility and a commitment to cultural competency, as well as to creating an inclusive space for people from diverse backgrounds.

You are welcome to schedule a free 15-minute "Meet and Greet" session to ask questions and see if I am the right person to assist you on your journey. I look forward to speaking with you and hearing your story!

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Relationships

Do the same conflicts seem to keep repeating themselves with no sense of relief or resolution? I specialize in working with relationships - with family, friends, coworkers, spouses/ partners, dating.

Initially, there will be an in-depth assessment, and we will collaborate to set goals and a treatment plan. You will explore how past and present relationships and experiences affect your feelings, thoughts, and needs. Based on client interests and treatment indications, a variety of therapeutical modalities may be recommended (ex: CBT, NVC, IFS, EMDR, talk therapy, psychodynamic). I will assist you in finding new insights and strategies into better understanding yourself and your relationships.

Treatment is available for presenting issues, including:

anger management
coping skills
emotional regulation
mood disorders
peer relationships
dating
self-esteem
sexual abuse
women's issues
school issues
marital/ relationship issues
family conflict
infidelity
personality issues (BPD, NPD)
divorce
family conflict
premarital

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Trauma

Trauma treatment with EMDR

History Taking Phase:

The client sets the pace of EMDR traumatic memory processing, and emotional safety is of utmost importance. In the preparation phase, I take an in-depth history using multi-facted assessment tools, to determine suitability for EMDR, as well as do treatment planning.

Preparation Phase:

During this phase clients are guided to"install" and strengthen positive resources using bilateral stimulation. Clients tap into and strengthen "resources" such as emotional qualities (ex: calm or assertiveness), supportive figures (real or imagined), and safe places (real or imagined) in order that these aspects become more accessible in daily life. Installing positive resources prepares clients to navigate the memory reprocessing stage, and ensures you have the capacity to do the trauma reprocessing without becoming too dysregulated afterwards. The preparation phase can be used as a lead in to trauma memory reprocessing, or can be used on its own to strengthen emotional regulation.

Treatment Phase:

EMDR for trauma is an evidence based approach that has been shown to facilitate the release of stored traumatic memories, along with the original trauma-induced negative appraisals of self ("negative cognitions"), distressing body sensations, and traumatic images. The therapist guides the client to activate the neural networks of the traumatic memory by calling up the memories, images, and thoughts of self. The client then applies bilateral stimulation (using a theratapper) which can enable the body's natural Adaptive Information Processing system to release the blocked stored trauma. New adaptive thoughts such as "I am fine as I am", "I am worthy" and "I did the best I could" often replace the traumatic self cognitions that formed under duress.

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Anxiety

Are you overwhelmed with negative thoughts and fears about yourself or the future?

Initially, there will be an in-depth assessment, and we will collaborate to set goals and a treatment plan. You will explore how past and present relationships and experiences affect your feelings, thoughts, and needs. Based on client interests and treatment indications, a variety of therapeutical modalities may be recommended (ex: CBT, ACT, Mindfulness, IFS, EMDR, talk therapy, narrative, psychodynamic). I will assist you in finding new insights and strategies to overcome and manage the anxiety.

Treatment is available for presenting issues, including:

body image
self-esteem
peer relationships
newcomer adjustment
racial identity
anger management
women's issues
premarital
prenatal
parenting
infidelity
sexual abuse
school issues
emotional dysregulation
personality issues (BPD, NPD)
family conflict
finances

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Depression

Do the things you used to enjoy seem to have lost some of their meaning now? Some of the signs of depression include feelings of guilt, trouble concentrating or making decisions, seeing oneself as worthless, low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness, feelings of tiredness, difficulty sleeping, and others.

Initially, there will be an in-depth assessment, and we will collaborate to set goals and a treatment plan. You will explore how past and present relationships and experiences affect your feelings, thoughts, and needs. Based on client interests and treatment indications, a variety of therapeutical modalities may be recommended (ex: CBT, ACT, Mindfulness, IFS, EMDR, talk therapy, narrative, psychodynamic). I will assist you in finding new insights and strategies to overcome and manage the depression.

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