Treatment

Supportive psychotherapy is based on the healing qualities of a positive therapeutic  relationship, referred to as the the common factors inherent in all therapeutic approaches. The central elements of this approach include a  neutral, nonjudgemental, supportive, attuned, and empowering relationship that activates the natural healing capacities in all of us. During the course of treatment self healing resources will be stimulated by the unique confidential therapeutic relationship. Various strategies from many approaches will be used where appropriate to maximize the experience.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy seeks to examine and reconfigure the underlying conflicts and dynamics that interfere with adaptive functioning. The unique constellation of defenses that you have adapted over the course of your development are examined to determine their adaptive value and a cost/benefit analysis is conducted to determine if they are useful or limit vitality and full functioning. The feelings that are being warded off are accessed and processed, allowing the personality structure to reconfigure in a more mature fashion.

CBT is a form of therapy based on principles of learning and conditioning that examines and restructures dysfunctional beliefs about self and others. Our beliefs about the world are encoded in us and solidify during our development. Our unique collection of beliefs form schema, which we then use to guide our behavior and how we respond to life events. These are in essence pattern recognition tools that we all use and which we are often not aware. In the therapeutic process these are examined and when appropriate restructured to more adaptive ones.

EMDR is an evidence-based treatment for trauma, using rapid eye movement to allow the brain to more adaptively process information. Dr. Magnavita is certified in EMDR by EMDRIA.

These approaches include, among others, Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRV), excellent for stress management and enhancing performance, Electrocranial Stimulation (ECS), an FDA approved approach for anxiety, depression and insomnia, Telemental Health, using video sessions, where appropriate, for those who are not able to attend sessions in person, Galvanic Skin and Thermal Biofeedback, useful for managing anxiety and learning how to regulate the autonomic nervous system for optimal balance, and others aimed at making permanent state shifts.

STDP is an evidence-based, accelerated form of treatment for a variety of personality issues and clinical syndromes. Dr. Magnavita completed a three-year training program in Montreal, Canada in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy. He is one of the founding members of the International Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association and has published a highly acclaimed volume applying this to the treatment of personality disorders.