Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, counseling, or simply, therapy, is a form of treatment that utilizes discussions with a professional to alleviate troubling symptoms to improve functioning, promote healing and understanding, and increase well being. Talk therapy is useful in many situations – individuals who are struggling with stress, conflict, or changes in their life – or individuals with diagnosed mental health conditions and substance use disorders. There are many types of psychotherapy, each with its own approach. The type of psychotherapy that’s right for you depends on your individual situation. In some cases, psychotherapy can be as effective as medications.
WE EMPLOY THE FOLLOWING
EVIDENCE-BASED THERAPIES
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a wide range of mental health conditions including: depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders and severe mental illness.
Through exercises in the session as well as “homework” exercises, patients develop coping skills, whereby they can change their own thinking, problematic emotions and behavior.
CBT can change thinking patterns by:
- Learning to recognize one’s distortions in thinking that are creating problems, and then to reevaluate them in light of reality.
- Gaining a better understanding of the behavior and motivation of others.
- Using problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations.
- Learning to develop a greater sense of confidence in one’s own abilities.
CBT can change behavioral patterns by:
- Facing one’s fears instead of avoiding them.
- Using role playing to prepare for potentially challenging interactions with others.
- Learning to calm one’s mind and relax one’s body.
Not all CBT treatment will use all of these coping strategies. Rather, the provider and patient will work collaboratively to understand the problem and to develop a treatment strategy
Numerous research studies suggest that CBT leads to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life.
It is important to emphasize that advances in CBT have been made on the basis of both research and clinical practice. There is ample scientific evidence that CBT methods produce positive results.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a psychotherapy treatment that helps patients learn and use new skills and strategies to develop a life worth living.
DBT helps patients manage painful emotions and decrease conflict in relationships by developing new skills in four key areas.
- Mindfulness focuses on improving an individual’s ability to accept and be present in the current moment.
- Distress tolerance is geared toward increasing a patient’s tolerance of negative emotion, rather than trying to escape from it.
- Emotion regulation covers strategies to manage and change intense emotions that are causing problems in a patient’s life.
- Interpersonal effectiveness consists of techniques that allow a patient to communicate with others in a way that is assertive, maintains self-respect, and strengthens relationships.
Reaching out takes courage, but it’s the first step towards a more fulfilled life. Contact us to schedule your appointment.
