Our Specialties

 The Somatic Experiencing® (SE®) method is a body-oriented therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Peter Levine to treat trauma and other stress disorders. The SE® model suggests that the specific event isn’t what caused the trauma but rather it is the body's overwhelmed response to the real or perceived threat that is causing an unbalanced nervous system. SE® therapy uses a specific framework to evaluate where a person is "stuck" in the fight, flight, or freeze responses then provides therapeutic tools to resolve these physiological states. The SE® model supports clients in releasing the opposing survival energy stuck in the body that is the cause of symptoms. The goal of SE® is to access the body memory of a traumatic incident instead of the traditional verbal narrative, so telling your story is not a requirement. SE® therapy does not involve changing thoughts or beliefs about a memory but looking at the physical sensations underneath those feelings. 

You can probably recall from your own childhood, that there is something therapeutic about having your hands in the sand, physically connecting with the medium to create formations and engaging in imaginative play… many would call it a healing experience. Sand tray play therapy takes this healing experience further in an evidenced-based practice with a trained therapist. It is psychological work that involves “hands on” experience in combination with reflective therapy to process complex life experiences. In sand tray play therapy, the client creates physical, concrete manifestations of their ‘world’. Sand tray play therapy uses symbolism, in a contained place, to shine light on the client’s thoughts and feelings both conscious and unconscious; creating a safe space to allow them to process through their experiences. 

 DBT, or  Dialectical Behavioral Therapy In today’s culture, there is this misconception that individuals are somehow not in control of their emotions; that impulsive or big, over the top reactions are societal norm. This should not be (and is not) the case. Individuals, including teens with still developing brains absolutely have the ability to manage their emotions and reactions to frustrating situations. DBT stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy and it incorporates four distinct sections to teach you or your child how to effectively manage emotions; mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. At Agave Center for Behavioral Health, we work with our clients to help them build these skills in a safe, non-judgmental place so that they can be better equipped to manage and communicate their emotions through every experience.