Dr. Pearce is
a Postdoctoral Fellow with a focus on couples and marriage therapy. She has a wide
range of experience as a couples therapist and supervisor. Her doctoral
dissertation research focused on the importance of hope and expectations in
couples' communication and satisfaction, and she provides couples therapy that
focuses on the emotional bond as well as building communication and
conflict-resolution skills. Dr. Pearce views the family as a dynamic system in which the parents’ relationship is the
foundation, and each individual influences the balance of the whole system.
Dr. Pearce fosters a warm, supportive environment for individuals to explore their feelings, and she offers research-supported strategies and techniques for managing
mood and anxiety-related disorders in adolescents and adults. Cognitive-behavioral
therapy (CBT) forms the basis of her treatment
approach, and she also has experience with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT),
an approach designed to help individuals manage their emotions and
relationships more effectively.
While her clinical work is rooted in psychological theory and empirical
research, Dr. Pearce
also endorses a Christian worldview, believing that spiritual growth
can be an important part of the healing process. Although some clients desire to focus
on spiritual issues in treatment, others elect to focus on nonspiritual dynamics. Dr. Pearce accommodates each client’s needs and preferences when considering spiritual integration in therapy.
Dr. Pearce's current certifications include Hope-Focused Couples Therapy (certified
therapist) and the Prepare/Enrich curriculum for premarital and marital
assessment and counseling. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, American Association of
Marriage and Family Therapists, and Christian Association for Psychological
Studies.
