How Therapy Works with Me
I draw from several evidence-based approaches and tailor each session to what you need. Here is what each one looks like in practice — no jargon, no textbook definitions.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT starts from a different place than most therapies: instead of trying to eliminate painful thoughts and feelings, it teaches you to make room for them while still moving toward a meaningful life.
In session, we work on six core processes: being present, accepting difficult experiences, watching thoughts without getting hooked by them, connecting with your values, and taking committed action. It sounds like a lot, but in practice, it often feels like a conversation about what matters to you and what gets in the way.
ACT has strong research support for anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and stress. It is particularly well-suited for people who have tried "thinking their way out" of problems and found it does not work.
Read: What Is ACT Therapy?What a Session Looks Like
- We talk about a situation that is causing you difficulty
- We notice the thoughts and feelings that show up around it
- We practice creating space between you and those thoughts
- We connect back to what matters most to you
- We identify one small, values-aligned action for the week
Solution-Focused Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy flips the traditional therapy script: instead of spending weeks analyzing the problem, we look at what is already working and build from there.
This approach is grounded in the idea that you already have strengths, skills, and resources — even if they feel buried right now. We spend our time finding those bright spots and expanding them.
It works well for people who want to feel progress quickly, who are dealing with a specific challenge, or who find traditional "talk about your childhood" therapy unhelpful.
Read: Solution-Focused Therapy ExplainedKey Techniques
- The Miracle Question: Imagining your preferred future to clarify what you actually want
- Scaling Questions: Rating where you are now to track real progress
- Exception Finding: Identifying times the problem was absent or less intense
- Strengths Inventory: Building on what you do well, not fixing what is broken
Mindfulness-Based Approaches
Mindfulness in therapy is not about clearing your mind or sitting in silence. It is about learning to notice what is happening inside you — thoughts, sensations, emotions — without automatically reacting to it.
I weave mindfulness into our sessions through brief exercises, body awareness practices, and attention training. Over time, these skills help you respond to difficult situations with intention rather than on autopilot.
Mindfulness has strong evidence for reducing anxiety, improving emotional regulation, and helping with chronic stress. It pairs naturally with ACT.
Read: How Mindfulness Helps with AnxietyIn Practice
- Brief grounding exercises at the start of sessions
- Noticing thought patterns as they happen in conversation
- Body-scan techniques for anxiety and tension
- Take-home practices you can do in under 5 minutes
Cognitive Defusion
Cognitive defusion is a core technique within ACT. The idea is simple: your thoughts are just thoughts, not facts and not commands. When you believe every thought your mind produces, it can control your behavior. Defusion creates distance.
For example, instead of "I am a failure," defusion might reframe it as "I notice I am having the thought that I am a failure." It is a small shift in language, but it changes your relationship with the thought entirely.
In session, we practice defusion through exercises that range from playful to profound. The goal is not to make thoughts go away, but to reduce their power over your actions.
Common Defusion Exercises
- Naming the story: "There goes my 'not good enough' story again"
- Thanking your mind: Acknowledging the thought without engaging
- Leaves on a stream: Visualizing thoughts floating past you
- Silly voices: Repeating a thought in a cartoon voice to break its seriousness
Madison Glackin, LCMHC-A uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy, mindfulness, and cognitive defusion at her practice across North Carolina. All approaches are evidence-based and tailored to each individual.
Not Sure Which Approach Is Right for You?
That is completely normal. Most people do not know what kind of therapy they need before starting. A free 15-minute phone call is the easiest way to figure it out together.