THERAPY SERVICES
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This evidence-based therapeutic approach relies on the connections between our thoughts, body sensations, and behaviors. In part, CBT is a skills based therapy - patients learn different strategies to more effectively manage their symptoms. One of the greatest predictors of positive outcomes is the application of skills to situations in the moment, outside of the therapy office. However, equally important to CBT is the therapeutic relationship and the processing of emotions or behaviors within the context of our past life experiences. CBT has repeatedly shown to be effective for a wide variety of mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression. There are many types of CBTs for different areas of difficulty, some of which are listed below.
Exposure Therapy and Exposure/Response Prevention (E/RP)
Exposure therapies for anxiety disorders are one of the most widely researched types of CBT, with evidence consistently supporting their effectiveness. The goal with this intervention is essentially facing out fears - gradually approaching a feared situation or object and learning that it isn't necessarily dangerous, as well as increasing our ability to tolerate distress along the way.
Parenting Support
The evidence-based treatment to address problem behaviors in young children is Behavioral Parent Training (BPT). Being a parenting is hard work, yet children don't come with instruction manuals to help with all of the challenges that come with parenting. It can be even harder when a child exhibits disruptive behaviors, such as aggression, non-compliance/oppositionality, or tantrums. BPT teaches parents specific skills to both decrease inappropriate behaviors and increase more desirable behaviors (or "positive opposites"). This intervention not only addresses how to respond to problem behaviors, but helps prevent them from occurring when possible.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-Informed Treatment
DBT was originally developed for individuals with pervasive emotional/behavioral dysregulation. However, research now supports its effectiveness for a wide range of mental health difficulties. What is unique about DBT is its emphasis on the use of "dialectics" (balancing of opposing view points), with the core dialectic being the dialectic of acceptance and change. The goal of DBT is to help patients build a life worth living. Although we don't currently offer a fully adherent DBT program, we apply DBT principles and skills during individual therapy.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is a mindfulness-based therapy that involves the use of strategies to increase psychological flexibility. One the goals is of this approach is to learn how to experience our emotions, wanted or unwanted, without necessarily trying to change the emotion or having to act on emotional urges. Key to this therapy is also the identification of core values and priorities, and working towards making decisions based on these values.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
TF-CBT is an evidence-based treatment for PTSD in children and adolescents. Patients learn coping skills rooted in CBT, and engage in a "trauma narrative," or retelling of the traumatic event. The goal of this approach is to "clean out the wound" that the trauma has left behind, and develop a new understanding of the event within the context of the youth's life story.
Other support services
Social Skills Training Groups
Social skills training is provided to children and adolescents/young adults struggling with social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties in a group format. These groups are often provided to individuals who present with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities.
Community Based Activity Groups
Community-based interventions are aimed at providing support to young adults with activities of daily living, such as with making purchases or using public transportation. These groups are often provided to individuals who present with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities.