Justine Lockhart (She/her)

EMDR

Sometimes we go through a scary experience but then it seems to not have a long lasting impact. Other times a memory gets "stuck" and we feel as anxious as we were when we experienced it. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, etc.) to help reprocess these memories and promote natural healing to integrate this memory instead of feeling stuck. EMDR is proven to reduce distress and negative beliefs associated with traumatic memories.

Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy

With OCD there is a cycle that is challenging to break: an unwanted, intrusive, and repetitive obsession, distress, a compulsive behavior in attempt to reduce distress, and temporary relief. ERP helps break this cycle by inviting you to sit with your discomfort and distress and embrace uncertainty. We will engage in exposures both in and outside of session that directly confront your fears and practice response prevention (resisting compulsions and avoidance).

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT involves examining values, committed action (following through with these values), self-as-context (practicing being an observer of your thoughts/feelings), being present in the here-and-now, acceptance (of yourself and willingness to embrace discomfort), and cognitive defusion (creating healthy distance from thoughts and feelings). Through these mindfulness skills, I will help you feel like your authentic self, become more flexible and present, and learn how to tolerate distress and change.

Anxiety

I help clients with phobias, social anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, and more. I will create a supportive environment where you can safely explore these challenging feelings and we will use mindfulness techniques, help you reframe and challenge negative beliefs, and problem-solve to find ways to reduce stress, improve self-care, set boundaries, and learn how to embrace uncertainty. I will use elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment Theory, and somatic grounding approaches.

PTSD

For treating trauma, I use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing). This approach helps you heal from traumatic memories, feel less stuck, and reduces feelings of distress and physical responses to recalling this trauma. It involves using bilateral stimulation, such as rapid eye movements or tapping as you allow your body and emotions to recall these memories. It is believed that this dual attention helps you process and integrate the memory and find healing and positive reframing.

OCD

I help clients with OCD through using Exposure and Response Prevention and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to challenge fears and obsessions, reduce compulsions, and find acceptance of uncertainty. These approaches invite you to lean into your fears (even though this is uncomfortable) through engaging in exposures where you face your fears, resist engaging in compulsive behaviors, and practice sitting with uncertainty.

Women's Issues

One of my areas of focus is helping women-identifying clients challenge societal pressures and norms that may leave you stuck in "people-pleasing mode" or have a tendency to take on a care-taking dynamic within relationships due to internalized misogynistic beliefs. I like to help empower women to improve self-advocacy, set healthy boundaries, and challenge cultural/societal norms, unhealthy beliefs surrounding body image, and helping you better understand your values and needs.

LGBTQ Issues

As a queer therapist, I understand the unique challenges you may face as a queer individual. I help clients with identity exploration, learning acceptance towards your queer identity, coping with discrimination and anxiety you may experience in certain environments, and process the societal and social challenges in this political climate being a LGBTQ+ person right now. I can also help you explore family of origin dynamics and help you set healthy boundaries and create chosen family.