TEAM Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was created by Dr. David Burns (http://www.feelinggood.com) who is the best selling author of Feeling Good. TEAM is a framework for conducting evidence-based therapy and is an expansion of cognitive behavioral therapy. It represents the effective ingredients in all of therapy. TEAM uses powerful cognitive, motivational, exposure, and interpersonal methods. These methods can help you with depression, anxiety, habits, addictions, and relationship problems. It is based on process research about how therapy actually works. TEAM stands for the four crucial ingredients- Testing, Empathy, Agenda Setting, and Methods.
T = Testing
I will utilize a number of methods to ensure we are aware of all pertient aspects affecting your situation. This will include making sure we have an accurate diagnosis before we get started and measuring our progress at each session.
E = Empathy
I will listen to you share information about your situation. it is my goal to "step into your shoes" and understand not only the internal and external environments you face, but your thoughts about these and how they are affecting you emotionally. I may ask you questions to find out more about your experience and to make sure I got it right.
A = Agenda Setting
It is important to make sure we are on the same page and are putting our efforts into a challenge that you want help with and want to see change. We will talk about the pros and cons of change and what is likely to be required in order to meet your goals. Some people discover that there are hidden advantages to their sypmtoms. Agenda setting helps us to sort out your motivation to change and whether the rewards are worth the cost.
M = Methods
There are numerous approaches to each challenge a person faces. Different approaches are likely to work better with different problems and vary in effectiveness from person to person. We will use several methods, as appropriate for you. Often there is a subset of methods that you will personally find very effective. Part of our work will be finding the method or methods that are most effective for you. My goal is to then empower you to be able to use these tools in the future, for lifelong healing, well being, and relapse prevention.
You can read more about the science of TEAM therapy (http://feelinggood.com/science-behind-t-e-a-m-therapy/) on David Burn's webpage.