(716) 650-4797
Shaun Crimmins LCSW, PLLC
The path to healing springs from self-discovery
The path to healing springs from self-discovery
My therapeutic approach utilizes multiple evidence-based modalities including EMDR, DBT and Schema Therapy to help you become more present in your daily life and be the best version of yourself.
About Me
About Me
I am a warm and compassionate listener and I view my role as being a guide and a facilitator of change in helping you to learn more about yourself including your values, strengths, what unseen factors motivate your decisions and what barriers we need to overcome to help you achieve the life you want.
I am trained in and utilize various interventions including: Eye Movement Densensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
I am a trauma therapist with over 13 years of experience working with adults with Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders and various trauma-based symptoms including attachment issues related to experiences of abuse and neglect as well as dissociation.
Outside of working hours, I enjoy spending time with my family and reading and being outside.
INSURANCES ACCEPTED
INDEPENDENT HEALTH
UNIVERA
THERAPIES OFFERED
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is an intervention based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) Model which describes the way in which memories of adverse events become dysfunctionally stored in the nervous system in the right brain, which results in the memories being easily triggered by people, places and things a person may encounter. EMDR replicates REM sleep to relocate these dysfunctionally stored memories in the nervous system to the long-term memory so that a person will remember the event but no longer experience the emotional distress associated with the memory.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy was developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan and encompasses four modules or groups of coping skills to help clients to develop skills for increasing mindfulness in daily life, decrease the intensity of negative emotions while increasing positive emotions, tolerate situations of extreme emotional intensity to survive crises without making the situation worse and lastly, skills to communicate more effectively to attend to relationships, develop more satisfying relationships and end destructive relationships. DBT emphasizes a perspective of seeking the balance and middle path in order to avoid extremes including "all or nothing" or "black and white" thinking.
Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy focuses on building insight into the various belief systems and frames of reference which form the lens through which we see ourselves and the world around us. In exploring underlying schemas and the ways in which the schemas motivate a person's behavior, clients gain increased awareness of patterns of emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Clients become more of when their schemas have been triggered in a situation, resulting in an increased ability to consider alternate perspectives and to have the freedom to decide on a different course of action.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy builds off of DBT and emphasizes changing our relationship with our thoughts and emotions with the goal of being able to allow for our thoughts and emotions to simply be present. ACT teaches that in allowing ourselves to experience discomfort, we can become more confident to take a more active approach in our lives including clarifying our values and taking the action steps required to live a life based on our values.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Mindfulness is present moment awareness and being able to observe and describe our experiences with gentle curiosity and without judgment. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction was initially developed for treatment of chronic medical conditions, incorporating tenets of Eastern Philosophy but has blossomed into a mainstream practice. Mindfulness practice strives to increase our awareness in order to notice when our mind has drifted into "automatic pilot" and to bring ourselves back to our present moment. Through becoming more mindful of our thoughts, emotions and physical sensations and mindfulness of our environment including those around us, we become less reactive and more responsive.