Types of Evidence-based Therapies used at our Center

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is used to teach our clients how their perceptions and behaviors contribute to their difficulties and current concerns that led them to treatment. In CBT, clients learn to identify the thoughts and behaviors that may be causing or maintaining the struggles in their day to day life. We will explore how your current thoughts and behaviors may be impacting your ability to live a happy, meaningful life.

The goals of CBT are to:
1) identify the thoughts or behaviors that may be causing discomfort, and 2) change and challenge the thoughts and behaviors to improve mood.

For more information: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-cognitive-behavior-therapy-2795747

Cognitive Processing (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy are two specific forms of CBT designed to help reduce symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder including and not limited to child abuse, combat, sexual assault, and natural disasters.  

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
CPT is designed to teach clients how their thoughts and beliefs may change after trauma and how these thoughts and beliefs impact how you feel and act. More specifically, the content areas targeted in CPT include: safety, trust, control, esteem for self and others, and intimacy.

In CPT, clients learn how to identify triggers and gain awareness of their thoughts and behaviors in response to these triggers. Clients develop the skills to challenge these thoughts to gain a more balanced perspective which may help them choose a different behavioral reaction, thus improving their mood and reducing PTSD symptoms.

CPT does not require a detailed review of the trauma to demonstrate effective results. The focus of CPT is on your current thoughts and beliefs and how they have changed after the trauma and how these thoughts have impacted your life.

For More Information: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/treatment/therapy-med/cognitive_processing_therapy.asp 

Prolonged Exposure (PE)
PE is designed to teach clients how to gradually approach the thoughts, feelings, and situations that remind them of the trauma. Clients learn how to take the power away from their fears through choosing to engage with the traumatic memory in session by revisiting the memory and outside of session through real world situations that they have avoided. In PE, clients learn how to determine that feeling in danger due to trauma related memories or cues does not indicate real-life danger and do not need to be avoided. Clients can decrease their avoidance, experience more control over their lives, and choose to engage in meaningful activities.

For More Information: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/treatment/therapy-med/prolonged-exposure-therapy.asp

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is a cognitive-behavioral approach that teaches clients how to get in touch with their thoughts, feelings, memories, and physical sensations that they have feared and avoided. With mindfulness, metaphors, and experiential exercises, clients are able to make changes in their behavior and live a life that is driven by their values.

For More Information: https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/acceptance-commitment-therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI)
CBTI help clients who have difficulties with their sleep quality and quantity. Clients learn many different strategies to help improve their sleep including stimulus control, sleep restriction training, and strategies to cope with thoughts, worries, and stress when trying to sleep. With these strategies, clients learn to associate their bed as a cue for sleep (rather than being alert), reduce difficulties with falling asleep at night, eliminate being awake for long periods of time in the middle of the night, and how to calm the mind when it’s time for sleep. 

For More Information: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-news/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-insomnia