Therapy Methods

Kim specializes in counseling eating disorders, anxiety, compulsive disorders, and relational issues.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is defined as psychotherapy that emphasizes the role of thinking in how we feel and act. The theory behind it is based on the Cognitive Model of Emotional Response, which has two main tenants. First, thoughts cause feelings and behaviors, not external factors such as people or events. Second, if people change what they think, they can change how they feel and act. CBT is structured and directive, with a specific agenda and goal for therapy. It teaches patients how to think and act in ways that help them reach their goals. Because it focuses on reaching a particular goal, it is much faster than alternative forms of therapy that tend to last indefinitely. CBT relies heavily on time spent working outside of therapy. For example, outside reading and writing activities may be assigned to help clients practice techniques learned during sessions.


Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is a cognitive-behavioral approach that emphasizes the psychosocial aspects of treatment. In other words, this form of therapy teaches skills to cope with family, romantic, and friend relationships in a safe and healthy way. DBT builds the client’s strengths while identifying and changing thoughts, beliefs and assumptions that make life more difficult for the patient.

DBT often involves both weekly individual sessions and weekly group therapy sessions may be recommended as well. In the individual sessions, the therapist discusses problem solving behavior for the past week’s problems and ways to improve the client’s quality of life. In the group therapy sessions, four interpersonal relations tools are practiced: interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance/reality acceptance skills, emotional regulation and mindfulness skills.


Family Systems Therapy

Family systems therapy focuses on familial relationship patterns, rather than individual issues. The goal of family systems therapy is to nurture positive change and development through facilitated dialogue with the family. The focus of therapy is not on cause-effect analysis, as this can be perceived as placing blame. Rather, it focuses on how to change destructive thinking and behaviors within the family in order to solve problems.


Experiential Therapy

Experiential therapy involves actions, movements and activities rather than a traditional therapy setting. Common activities are equine therapy, recreation therapy and expressive arts therapy. In these settings, patients are more likely to have unguarded and genuine responses because they are focused on completing tasks rather than the therapy. Though not a primary focus of therapy, experiential therapy also allows patients to find other hobbies and activities to fill their spare time. This is especially significant for individuals recovering from patterns of addiction or substance abuse.


Solution Focused Therapy

Solution focused therapy focuses on what clients want to achieve through therapy, rather than what brought them to the therapist. In this way, it focuses less on the past and more on the present and future. In this therapy, the role of the therapist is to help clients envision a preferred future, and then help them work towards achieving it. The primary tools used on solution focused therapy can be remembered by the acronym MECSTAT, which stands for Miracle questions, Exception questions, Coping questions, Scaling questions, Time-out, Accolades and Task. Using these tools, the therapist aims to guide the client towards a more positive and hopeful future.


Neuro Emotive Technique (NET)

Neuro emotive technique aims to find and remove neurological imbalances related to unresolved stress through conditioning the body to react differently to past stressors. It is helpful in treating a variety of physical and behavioral stress-related conditions, including anxiety, headaches, pain, phobias and self-sabotaging behaviors. It uses the Home Run Formula model to address health issues:

  • 1st base – emotional or stress-related factors
  • 2nd base – effects of toxins on the body
  • 3rd base – nutrition and biochemistry
  • 4th base – structural and physical corrections

For more Information on Neuro Emotive technique click here.

Client Testimonial #6
I personally recommend Kim. My experience of Kim is that she has that special, unique ability to combine personal experience, authenticity and growth with professionalism. Her willingness to be real with her clients as well as her ability to combine creativity and insight into her work is a true gift. I am confident in Kim and her work.
Professional Colleague Jean Dixon, LPC
Client Testimonial #5
I have had the pleasure of knowing Kim Saltzman in both a personal and professional capacity for over ten years. Kim is a gifted and insightful therapist who skillfully uses her professional training, Christian faith and life experience to assist her clients. Kim is one of the most exceptional counselors I have met and I highly recommend her.
Professional Colleague
Lois Thomson Bowersock, LCDC
Client Testimonial #4
Kim exemplifies someone who truly is in counseling because she has a genuine heart to see people healed and restored. Her empathy and compassion speaks volumes about her and makes her so easy to talk to and trust. Trust is something that has never come easily to me but Kim sets up an atmosphere that puts me at ease and gives me the space to talk with freedom. Her mastery and understanding of current therapy techniques has helped to change and restore my life! I owe so much of my recovery to Kim and she truly helped to save my life from the pit. I have learned from Kim that there is always hope for recovery and healing and it is okay to make mistakes and not be perfect. Kim never judges nor condemns and shows me grace and compassion even when I don’t deserve it. She is definitely a blessing from the Lord!!!!
Anonymous Client
Client Testimonial #3
Kim has an amazing way of helping you realize the truth that is already in you. She helped me to see the reality of my codependent relationship with an addict. I stayed in the relationship because I couldn't fathom living without him. Kim not only helped me to find the inner strength to get through that lost relationship, but I am now grateful for it! Kim has helped me discover the tools necessary to deal with things that life throws at me in a healthy way. I would not be where I am today without her help! Her easygoing and caring nature makes me feel comfortable sharing the things that I have kept to myself for years, and with her wisdom and insight I have learned to deal with these things that hidden, have been hurting me for so long.
Anonymous Client
Client Testimonial #2
My connection with Kim was immediate. I found someone that truly identified with the problem I was facing. I received immediate feedback during each of my sessions. How refreshing when you have had prior counselors prompt you to talk about yourself for an hour only to tell you “time is up, good work, and when can you come in next.” My only regret is the loss of time and money spent on two other counselors before I found Kim.
Anonymous Client
Client Testimonial #1
When I first sought treatment for my eating disorder and addiction to self-harm, I was terrified of being dismissed by a professional as a “fake who was not truly sick.” Kim did nothing but affirm my decision to get help before things escalated further though. From our first session onward, she has been a beacon of light: shinning God’s truth and hope into the overwhelming darkness of addiction. She’s encouraged me through rough patches; celebrated milestones with me; firmly held me accountable in the most loving of ways possible; and maintained a steadfast honesty with me, regardless of the truth being something I wanted to hear verses something I needed to hear. With strength from God and guidance from Kim, I’ve begun climbing my way out of the hole of my struggles.
Anonymous Client