DBT
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Practical skills for handling intense emotions, distress and relationships: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness.
My approach
Therapy built around your goals.
Every plan starts with what you want to change. The methods are chosen to fit your personality, your resources and the time you have.
In his words
How Dr. Decker describes his work
All my therapeutic expertise is centered on the development of the client's goals and objectives. I offer a variety of treatment strategies to accommodate the needs of the individual based on personality, resources and time constraints.
My primary treatment orientation is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT. However, I am certified in many treatment modalities. My certifications are not only as a practitioner in these methodologies but also a Master Practitioner, Trainer and Clinical Supervisor.
Two aspects to treatment that are unique to my practice are my ministerial background and my expertise in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Clinical Hypnosis.
Primary orientation
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
His primary orientation. CBT looks at how thoughts, feelings and actions affect each other. You learn to notice unhelpful patterns, test them, and practice new responses between sessions.
- NoticeSpot the thoughts and habits that show up when things get hard.
- TestLook at the evidence, and at what those patterns cost you.
- PracticeTry new responses in session and in everyday life, then review what worked.
Other methods
Different tools for different needs.
Dr. Decker is certified in many treatment methods, as a practitioner and also as a Master Practitioner, Trainer and Clinical Supervisor. Along with CBT, these are other methods he lists.
IFS
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Works with the different “parts” of you, such as the critic, the protector and the hurt part, so they can work together instead of against each other.
Family Systems
Family Systems
Looks at a problem through the relationships around it. Useful for couples and families, and for individuals shaped by family patterns.
MBCT
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Combines CBT with mindfulness practice. You learn to step back from spiraling thoughts instead of getting pulled along by them.
SFBT
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
A short, goal-directed approach. It focuses on what you want to be different and on the strengths and resources you already have.
Faith, if you want it
Dr. Decker has a ministerial background. If you would like your Christian faith to be part of counseling, you can ask for that. If you’d rather it wasn’t, just say so.
Hypnosis & NLP expertise
Two specialties he names as unique to his practice, offered alongside talk therapy when they fit your goals.
- Clinical hypnosis
- Guided, focused attention and deep relaxation, used alongside therapy and never instead of it. You stay aware and in control throughout.
- Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
- Techniques that pay close attention to language and how you frame your experience, used to help shift unhelpful responses.
What to expect
Sessions are held in a quiet, private room in the Manassas office, or online from home if you prefer.
Call for a free consultation
A free 15-minute phone call. Share a little about what’s going on, ask your questions, and decide whether it feels like a good fit.
Book your first session
Meet in person at the Manassas office on Balls Ford Road, or online from home.
Set goals together
Treatment is built around your goals and fitted to your personality, resources and schedule.
Curious which approach would suit you? Ask in a free consultation →
Take the first step with a free consultation.
A free 15-minute phone call to talk through what’s going on and see whether working together feels right. No pressure and no commitment.