Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a model of therapy that helps individuals build psychological flexibility, and the ability to stay present and engaged with life, even in the face of difficult thoughts and emotions. Rather than trying to eliminate distress, ACT encourages people to accept their internal experiences, clarify their core values, and take meaningful action toward what truly matters to them.

For people who feel stuck in life—whether due to indecision, fear, overthinking, or a sense of purposelessness—ACT offers a powerful framework. It helps individuals recognize and unhook from unhelpful thought patterns, make space for discomfort, and begin moving forward with intention. By focusing on values-based living instead of symptom elimination, ACT supports lasting change and a deeper sense of direction and fulfillment.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific, evidence-based approach to understanding and improving behavior. Rooted in the principles of behaviorism, ABA focuses on how behaviors change, how they are affected by the environment, and how learning takes place. It is widely used to help individuals, especially those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), develop useful skills and reduce behaviors that may interfere with learning or daily life. By using positive reinforcement and data-driven strategies, ABA therapy tailors interventions to each individual's needs, fostering meaningful and lasting changes in behavior across various settings such as home, school, and community.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be effective in treating a wide range of issues--notably depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). CBT works by emphasizing the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and assisting clients in learning to recognize and break away from unhelpful thought patterns. 

Cognitive Processing Therapy is a variant of CBT that focuses exclusively on PTSD symptoms. CPT is considered one of the top three models of therapy for trauma (the others being Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). CPT takes place over a course of twelve sessions and works by having clients identify Stuck Points related to the trauma and growing efficient at learning how to challenge the stuck points.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based model of therapy that has an excellent reputation for assisting clients in learning to regulate emotions, control their behavior when emotional, and develop a calmer, more balanced, less responsive, and nonjudgmental approach to clients’ thought processes. DBT also has significant applications in interpersonal effectiveness, and is often used as a supplement to marriage and family therapy. We offer DBT in both individual and group therapy.

*Note: GAFC is a skills only DBT clinic. We are not an intensively trained DBT clinic, and we do not use the DBT team approach or have an on-call DBT coach. All clients still must fit within the scope of our practice to receive services.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is an evidence-based model of therapy that is highly regarded for helping individuals, couples, and families build stronger, more secure emotional connections. Rooted in attachment theory, EFT focuses on identifying and reshaping negative interaction patterns by accessing and expressing core emotions in a safe, structured way. This model is particularly effective in reducing conflict, healing relational injuries, and fostering greater emotional responsiveness between partners or family members. EFT is often used as a primary approach in marriage and family therapy, and we offer it in both individual and relational sessions.

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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a preferred treatment model for trauma, but is also useful for clients that hold deeply rooted negative core beliefs, “mental blocks”, complex trauma, severe depression, anxiety, and phobias.

Using EMDR, the clinician will alternately stimulate both hemispheres of the brain using bilateral eye-stimulations, tapping, or vibrations, while discussing  the presenting problems.

The ultimate goals are to assist clients in desensitizing intense images or experiences and also working to “update” or “adapt” beliefs about the incident.

For example, the thought “I was helpless and I almost died” might be updated to “I survived, I am OK, and it’s over now.

Visit The Atlanta Center for EMDR to learn more.

Family Systems Therapy is a therapeutic approach that views the family as an interconnected emotional unit, where each member’s behavior affects and is affected by the others. Rather than focusing solely on the individual, this therapy explores patterns, roles, and dynamics within the family system to uncover the root causes of conflict or distress. By addressing communication issues, unresolved tensions, and relational imbalances, family systems therapy helps families build healthier relationships, improve understanding, and support one another’s growth. It’s especially effective for navigating challenges like parenting struggles, divorce, mental health issues, or life transitions.

Gottman Method Couples Therapy is an evidence-based approach developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, grounded in over four decades of research on what makes relationships succeed or fail. This model focuses on enhancing emotional connection, improving communication, managing conflict effectively, and building shared meaning between partners. Interventions are structured around key principles such as strengthening friendship, fostering respect and affection, and creating positive, lasting change. Gottman Therapy is widely used in marriage and couples counseling, and we offer it as part of our relationship-focused services in both short- and longer-term formats.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a highly effective, evidence-based program designed for young children with behavioral challenges and their caregivers. Through live coaching sessions, parents learn practical skills to strengthen the parent-child bond, improve communication, and manage difficult behaviors in a calm, consistent way. PCIT also helps caregivers recognize how their own experiences and responses influence parenting, creating space for more intentional and connected relationships. This structured, supportive approach leads to lasting positive changes in both child behavior and family dynamics.

PCIT is also popular in court-ordered family therapy and reunification therapy.

Psychodynamic Therapy is an evidence-informed approach that emphasizes how early lived experiences and relationships shape our current emotions, behaviors, and attitudes. This model focuses on uncovering unconscious patterns and exploring how past dynamics—especially from childhood or significant relationships—influence how we relate to ourselves and others today. By making these connections in a supportive therapeutic relationship, clients gain deeper self-understanding and are better able to shift long-standing patterns that may be holding them back. Psychodynamic Therapy is particularly effective for those seeking meaningful, lasting change in how they experience relationships, self-worth, and emotional life. We offer this approach in both individual and family therapy settings.

Rogerian Therapy, also known as Client-Centered Therapy, is a humanistic approach developed by Carl Rogers. It emphasizes creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel genuinely heard and accepted. The therapist practices empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence (authenticity) to help clients explore their feelings and thoughts openly. This approach empowers individuals to tap into their own capacity for self-understanding and personal growth, fostering greater self-acceptance and emotional well-being without directing or interpreting for them. It’s especially effective for those seeking a compassionate space to work through challenges at their own pace.Item description

Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) assists clients in problem solving and identifying solutions to stressors. From a solution focused perspective, the emphasis is on the present and future vs. the past. This model is most useful for clients that have a limited time in therapy, for example, clients coming through EAP or limited availability.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a special kind of talk therapy that helps children, teens, and their caregivers heal from scary or upsetting experiences. It teaches young people how to understand and talk about their feelings, manage tough emotions, and feel safer and more in control.

TF-CBT also helps them make sense of what happened in a way that feels less overwhelming. Parents or caregivers are included in the process, so they can better support their child’s recovery. It’s especially helpful for kids who have been through things like abuse, accidents, loss, or other traumatic events.em description