Our Approach
EMDR, DBT and Mindfulness-Based Treatment in San Clemente
Every client at Stillmark Mental Health receives an individualized treatment plan built on approaches with strong research support. In our PHP and IOP programs, that includes Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotion regulation and coping skills, EMDR for trauma when an assessment shows it is appropriate, mindfulness practice (much of it outdoors on the Orange County coast), and a supportive group community. Aftercare planning begins early so progress continues after discharge.
Below is an overview of the core methods our clinicians use. During your assessment, your treatment team will explain which approaches fit your goals.
If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or go to your nearest emergency room.
EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a specialized clinical intervention designed to help individuals process and integrate traumatic memories. By pairing bilateral stimulation with focused attention, EMDR facilitates the brain's natural healing process, reducing the emotional intensity of distressing experiences and promoting long-term recovery. EMDR is offered as an option for clients when an assessment shows it is appropriate for them.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that focuses on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Our clinical team uses DBT skills to help clients manage intense emotions, reduce self-destructive behaviors, and build a more resilient foundation for long-term mental health wellness.
Community Building
The "loneliness epidemic" has been fueled by digital advancement and exacerbated by the global pandemic. Essential to almost everyone's mental health is an authentic feeling of connection and belonging. In addition to building a community within our own program, we teach the skill sets required to forge new connections when our clients return to their normal lives.
Mindfulness
We live in a time of almost constant stimulation and distraction because of the super computers we all carry in our pockets. From phone notifications, music, podcasts, video games, social media, email, and video calls it's actually rare to have any prolonged period of quiet and calm. Our mindfulness training helps our clients spend more time in the present moment where they can tackle challenges and ultimately create more peace in their lives.
Aftercare Planning
Treatment can be transformative for many but we want to create change that really lasts for our clients. We begin aftercare planning within the first week of treatment to ensure that when our clients leave us they have a structure set up and a plan they can execute. We do our best to maximize the resources available to solidify social support, ongoing clinical care, family engagement, accountability, and individualized strategies to carry forward the maintenance and growth for each of our clients.
Present in Nature
Why Nature Helps Us Be Present
In nature, the constant digital noise of modern life is replaced by sensory experiences that naturally anchor us in the "now." For our PHP and IOP clients in San Clemente, the rhythmic sound of the waves and the expansiveness of the California coastline serve as powerful therapeutic tools. Being outdoors reduces cognitive load and quiets the mind, making it easier to practice the mindfulness skills you can keep using long after treatment ends.