Brad Ploof, MS, CMHC, ALC (He/Him/His)

Many people who go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. However, if the symptoms worsen, last for months or even years, and interfere with day-to-day functioning, they may have PTSD. PTSD symptoms are generally grouped into four types: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions.

Depression is a common and serious mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities. It can significantly impair a person's ability to function at work, school, or in their daily life. Symptoms may include changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Anxiety is a natural emotional response characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure. It's a normal reaction to stress, helping to alert us to dangers and prepare us for action. However, when anxiety becomes persistent or overwhelming, it can interfere with daily activities. It manifests in various forms, such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and very specific phobias.

Sand tray therapy is a distinctive form of therapeutic intervention that combines play therapy with psychotherapeutic theories. Adult and child clients are provided with a sandbox and a variety of miniature figures and objects to create a physical manifestation of their internal thoughts, feelings, and struggles. The therapist facilitates this process, providing a safe, contained space for exploration. As clients arrange and rearrange these miniatures, they metaphorically explore their worlds.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals embrace their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty for them. It operates on the principle that it's more effective to accept and understand the complexities of human emotions and thoughts than to suppress or deny them. Central to ACT is the concept of psychological flexibility, which are the roots, in my experience, for discovering resiliency as a superpower.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most proven treatment focusing on altering unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. Central to CBT is the concept that thoughts, feelings, and actions are interconnected, and changing negative thoughts and behaviors can lead to clinically significant improvements in mood and functioning. It typically involves identifying and challenging distorted or irrational thoughts, and learning more adaptive and realistic ways of thinking. CBT is evidence

Person-centered therapy is a humanistic approach that emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship as a foundation for effective therapy and is the root of all of my practice. It believes that individuals are inherently capable of self-healing and personal growth. This approach prioritizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness in the professional relationship of client-therapist. I focus on understanding the client from their perspectives of their lived experiences

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals embrace their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty for them. It's an action-oriented approach, grounded in mindfulness and the concept that pain is a natural part of human experience. ACT teaches individuals to stop avoiding, denying, and struggling with inner emotions and, instead, accept that these deeper feelings are appropriate responses to certain situations. It empowers "now!"