APPROACHES
At TICC, therapy is a supportive space where you are treated with care, respect, and understanding. Our therapists use proven approaches to help you feel safer, more grounded, and more confident in your daily life. We work alongside you to build skills, process experiences, and support healing in ways that feel manageable and empowering.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy is for individuals who have experienced trauma and feel stuck in painful thoughts, beliefs, or emotions related to what happened. It’s especially helpful when trauma continues to affect how you see yourself, others, or the world.
CPT helps you gently examine how trauma may have shaped your beliefs and thought patterns. Together with your therapist, you’ll learn to recognize unhelpful or stuck thoughts and replace them with more balanced, supportive perspectives — at a pace that feels safe and manageable.
What issues or experiences does CPT address?
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Trauma from abuse, assault, or violence
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Military or first responder trauma
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Guilt, shame, or self-blame related to trauma
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Anxiety and depression connected to traumatic experiences
What core skills does CPT help develop?
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Identifying and challenging harmful beliefs
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Developing more flexible and compassionate thinking
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Understanding how trauma impacts emotions and behavior
What are the benefits of CPT?
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Reduced trauma-related distress and symptoms
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Increased sense of control and self-understanding
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Improved mood and emotional resilience
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Greater ability to move forward without trauma defining your story
At TICC, CPT is delivered through a trauma-informed lens that honors your lived experiences and prioritizes emotional safety, collaboration, and empowerment.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is designed for children, adolescents, and their caregivers who have experienced trauma. It supports both young people and families in processing difficult experiences while strengthening connection and communication.
TF-CBT combines trauma-sensitive skill building with gentle trauma processing. Therapy often includes both individual sessions and caregiver involvement to help reinforce safety, support, and healing beyond the therapy space.
What issues or experiences does TF-CBT address?
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Childhood trauma or abuse
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Exposure to violence or neglect
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Anxiety, depression, or behavioral challenges
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Grief or loss
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Family stress following traumatic events
What core skills does TF-CBT help develop?
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Emotional awareness and regulation skills
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Healthy coping strategies for stress and trauma reminders
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Safe communication between youth and caregivers
What are the benefits of TF-CBT?
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Reduced trauma-related symptoms
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Improved emotional regulation and behavior
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Stronger caregiver-child relationships
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Increased feelings of safety and stability

Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy is for couples looking to strengthen their emotional connection, improve communication, and repair relationship wounds — including those impacted by trauma.
EFT focuses on the emotional patterns that shape how couples interact. With the therapist’s guidance, partners learn to better understand each other’s emotions, needs, and attachment styles, creating more secure and supportive bonds.
What issues or experiences does EFT address?
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Communication breakdowns
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Relationship conflict or emotional distance
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Trust concerns or attachment injuries
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Trauma impacting intimacy or connection
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Life transitions or stressors
What core skills does EFT help develop?
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Emotional awareness and expression
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Empathy and responsiveness
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Secure attachment and trust
What are the benefits of EFT?
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Stronger emotional connection
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Healthier communication patterns
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Increased trust and intimacy
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Greater relationship stability and satisfaction

Seeking Safety
Seeking Safety is for individuals who have experienced trauma and are also dealing with substance use, unsafe behaviors, or difficulty feeling stable and grounded.
This present-focused approach emphasizes coping skills and emotional safety without requiring clients to revisit traumatic memories. Sessions focus on practical tools that help support stability in everyday life.
What issues or experiences does Seeking Safety address?
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Trauma and PTSD
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Substance use concerns
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Emotional dysregulation
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Risky or self-destructive behaviors
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Difficulty maintaining safety or boundaries
What core skills does Seeking Safety help develop?
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Seeking Safety supports:
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Grounding and coping strategies
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Healthy boundary-setting
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Emotional regulation and self-care
What are the benefits of Seeking Safety?
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Increased emotional and physical safety
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Improved coping and self-awareness
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Reduced harmful behaviors
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Greater confidence in daily decision-making
At TICC, we integrate Seeking Safety with a non-judgmental, collaborative approach that empowers clients to define safety on their own terms.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is for individuals looking to better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors — and develop healthier ways of responding to life’s challenges.
CBT focuses on identifying thought patterns that contribute to distress and learning practical strategies to shift them. Sessions are structured, collaborative, and focused on building everyday tools you can use outside of therapy.
What issues or experiences does CBT address?
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Anxiety and depression
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Stress and burnout
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Trauma-related symptoms
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Negative self-talk
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Life transitions and adjustment challenges
What core skills does CBT help develop?
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Awareness of thought-behavior patterns
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Problem-solving and coping skills
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Emotional regulation and resilience
What are the benefits of CBT?
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Increased clarity and emotional control
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Reduced distress and anxiety
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Improved confidence and self-efficacy
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Practical skills for long-term wellbeing
At TICC, CBT is adapted through a trauma-informed lens that emphasizes compassion, flexibility, and pacing based on client needs.
EMDR Therapy
(Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR is for individuals who have experienced trauma or distressing life events that continue to impact their thoughts, emotions, or body responses.
EMDR helps the brain process unresolved memories using bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping) while maintaining emotional safety. You do not need to relive trauma in detail for healing to occur.
What issues or experiences does EMDR address?
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PTSD and trauma-related symptoms
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Childhood trauma
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Anxiety and panic responses
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Grief and loss
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Distressing memories or triggers
What core skills does EMDR help develop?
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EMDR supports:
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Emotional regulation and grounding
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Increased sense of internal safety
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Adaptive coping and resilience
What are the benefits of EMDR?
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Reduced emotional distress tied to memories
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Decreased trauma triggers
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Improved self-esteem and emotional balance
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Lasting relief without extensive talk therapy

Therapeutic Appraoches at TICC: Comparison Chart
Modality | Who It’s For | What It Helps With | How It Works | Core Skills Developed | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) | Adults who have experienced trauma and feel stuck in painful or self-blaming thoughts | PTSD, trauma from abuse or violence, guilt, shame, anxiety, depression | Identifies and gently challenges unhelpful beliefs related to trauma through structured, collaborative sessions | Thought flexibility, emotional awareness, self-compassion, resilience | Reduced trauma symptoms, improved emotional wellbeing, greater sense of control |
Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) | Children, adolescents, and caregivers impacted by trauma | Childhood trauma, anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, grief | Combines coping skill-building with trauma processing; includes caregiver involvement | Emotional regulation, coping skills, communication, safety-building | Improved emotional stability, stronger family relationships, reduced trauma responses |
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) | Couples seeking deeper emotional connection or repair | Relationship conflict, trust issues, emotional disconnection, trauma impact | Focuses on emotional patterns and attachment needs to strengthen bonds | Emotional expression, empathy, secure attachment, communication | Stronger relationships, increased trust, healthier communication |
Seeking Safety | Individuals with trauma and current safety or substance use concerns | PTSD, substance use, emotional dysregulation, unsafe behaviors | Present-focused sessions emphasizing coping skills and safety without trauma recounting | Grounding, boundary-setting, emotional regulation, self-care | Increased stability, safer choices, improved coping and confidence |
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) | Individuals seeking practical tools for managing thoughts and emotions | Anxiety, depression, stress, trauma-related symptoms, life transitions | Examines thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to create healthier patterns | Problem-solving, coping skills, emotional regulation | Reduced distress, improved confidence, long-term tools for wellbeing |
EMDR Therapy | Individuals affected by traumatic or distressing experiences | PTSD, childhood trauma, anxiety, panic, grief | Uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain process unresolved memories safely | Nervous system regulation, grounding, adaptive coping | Reduced trauma triggers, lasting emotional relief, improved self-esteem |
