Therapeutic Behavioral Services

Cognitive Therapy

COGNITIVE THERAPY IS DESIGNED TO HELP YOUTH IDENTIFY AND CHANGE DISTORTED THOUGHT (COGNITIVE) PATTERNS THAT CAN LEAD TO FEELINGS AND BEHAVIORS THAT ARE TROUBLESOME, SELF-DEFEATING OR SELF-DESTRUCTIVE.

It is based on the premise that the way youth interpret experiences in life determines the way they feel and behave. If they are depressed, for instance, they might see themselves and their experiences in negative ways, which worsens the symptoms of depression. Like behavior therapy, cognitive therapy focuses on their current problem, rather than addressing underlying or past issues or conflicts. Unlike behavior therapy; however, all of their experiences are an important part of the cognitive therapy process.

Cognitive-Behavior Therapy

COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPY COMBINES FEATURES OF BOTH COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIOR THERAPIES TO IDENTIFY UNHEALTHY, NEGATIVE BELIEFS AND BEHAVIORS, AND REPLACES THEM WITH HEALTHY, POSITIVE ONES.

It’s based on the idea that your own thoughts—not other people or situations—determine how you behave. Even if an unwanted situation doesn’t change, you can change the way you think and behave in a positive way.

Dance / Movement Therapy

DANCE/MOVEMENT THERAPY IS BENEFICIAL TO PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.

It is used as a method of reducing stress. Emotionally, this form of therapy enables people to gain a greater sense of well-being and self-awareness and provides an outlet for the expression of feelings. The creative expression of dance therapy serves to provide the clients with an increase in communication skills and lay the groundwork for more dynamic relationships.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY (DBT) IS A TYPE OF COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPY. IT IS A TREATMENT DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SELF-HARMING BEHAVIORS, SUCH AS SELF-CUTTING, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, URGES TO COMMIT SUICIDE, AND SUICIDAL ATTEMPTS.

The primary objective of DBT is to teach behavioral skills that help tolerate stress, regulate emotions, and improve relationships with others. It was originally designed for people with borderline personality disorder, whom often have suicidal behavior. But DBT has been adapted for people with other conditions also, including eating-disorders and substance abuse, depression, bi-polar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and out of control emotions. A key assumption in DBT is that self-destructive behaviors are learned coping techniques for unbearably intense and negative emotions like guilt, sadness, fear, and anger.

DBT is an “empirically-supported treatment,” which means it has been researched in clinical trials. Dialectical behavior therapy is derived, in part, from a philosophical process called dialectics, in which seemingly contradictory facts or ideas are weighed against each other to create a resolution or achieve balance. For instance, you might learn about accepting who you are while at the same time making changes in your thoughts and behaviors.

Exposure Therapy

EXPOSURE THERAPY IS A FORM OF BEHAVIOR THERAPY THAT DELIBERATELY EXPOSES ONE TO THE VERY THING THAT HE/SHE MAY FIND UPSETTING OR DISTURBING.

It’s especially useful for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder. Under controlled circumstances, exposure to the event or things that trigger obsessive thoughts or traumatic reactions can help one learn to cope with them effectively.

Interpersonal Therapy

INTERPERSONAL THERAPY FOCUSES ON CURRENT RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PEOPLE. THE GOAL IS TO IMPROVE INTERPERSONAL SKILLS—HOW WELL ONE RELATES TO OTHERS, INCLUDING FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES.

Youth can learn how to evaluate the way they interact with others and develop strategies for dealing with relationship and communication problems.

Music Therapy

MUSIC THERAPY IS THE CLINICAL AND EVIDENCED-BASED USE OF MUSIC INTERVENTION TO ACCOMPLISH INDIVIDUALIZED GOALS WITHIN A THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP.

It is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. Through musical involvement in the therapeutic context, client’s abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives. Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words.

Play Therapy

PLAY THERAPY IS GEARED MAINLY FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AT SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENTAL LEVELS. IT MAKES USE OF A VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES, INCLUDING PLAYING WITH DOLLS OR TOYS, PAINTING OR OTHER ACTIVITIES.

These techniques allow children to more easily express emotions and feelings if they lack the cognitive development to express themselves with words.

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

PSYCHODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY, BASED ON THE THEORIES OF PSYCHOANALYSIS, FOCUSES ON INCREASING AWARENESS OF UNCONSCIOUS THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS, DEVELOPING NEW INSIGHTS INTO YOUR MOTIVATIONS, AND RESOLVING CONFLICTS TO LIVE A HAPPIER LIFE.

It’s one of the most common types of psychotherapy. It is less intense than psychoanalysis and is usually done while sitting face to face with a therapist. It is also less frequent—usually once a week—and last for a shorter term, usually a year or less.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy includes a variety of therapeutic techniques such as exploring your past, confronting your beliefs and actions, offering support, and interpreting your thoughts and behavior. That process allows you to become aware of and acknowledge the link between a feeling, thought, symptom or behavior and an unconscious meaning or motivator. With that new understanding, you can modify unwanted behavior or thoughts.

Psychoeducation

PSYCHOEDUCATION FOCUSES ON TEACHING YOUTH—AND SOMETIMES THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS—ABOUT THEIR ILLNESS.

Psychoeducation explores possible treatments, coping strategies and problem-solving skills for the youth’s condition. They might learn about resources in their community, such as support groups or housing options. They can also learn about symptoms that might indicate a potential relapse so that they can take steps to get appropriate treatment. Psychoeducation can be especially useful for youth with chronic or severe illnesses, such as schizophrenia.