Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment that is considered the first line psychotherapeutic treatment for anxiety, OCD, depression and related disorders. Through CBT, you learn how to address the unpleasant thoughts, change the maladaptive coping mechanisms/safety behaviors, as well as learn how to tolerate unpleasant emotions and physical sensations.
CBT is an action-oriented therapy tailored to meet an individual’s specific treatment goals. It is a structured process that requires commitment and motivation on the part of the patient and/or family member(s). For this reason, CBT is designed to be short-term with the goal of teaching the patient more adaptive responses and coping mechanisms to effectively manage their own symptoms.
For more information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy:
APA – What is CBT?
NAMI – CBT for Anxiety
Exposure Therapy/Exposures with Response Prevention (ERP)
Exposure therapy/ERP is the indicated treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), separation anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and many other anxiety disorders. This evidence-based treatment teaches an individual how to gradually face their fears, while learning that they can tolerate uncomfortable feelings and emotions. Through exposure practices, one also learns how to tolerate uncertainty and effectively respond to negative thoughts and feelings.
For more information on ERP:
NAMI – CBT for Anxiety
International OCD Foundation – Treatment for OCD
International OCD Foundation – ERP
Behavioral Activation
Behavioral Activation (BA) is the indicated psychotherapy treatment for major depressive disorder. Often, previously enjoyable activities no longer produce pleasurable feelings, leading the individual to decrease them and withdraw further. However, this response only worsens the depressive symptoms. Therefore, the focus of BA is to increase structure, activities, and social interactions throughout the day and to decrease avoidance and isolation.
Behavior Modification
Behavior Modification is often used when trying to shape a child or adolescent’s negative behavior into something more desirable. Through this, caretakers learn how to use reinforcement to increase positive and prosocial behaviors in the child. Incentives will be discussed and agreed upon to help encourage the child/adolescent to engage in the desired behaviors. As a result of the child/adolescent receiving reinforcement for practicing these behaviors, they are likely to do them more often.
Comprehensive Behavior (ComB) Model
This specific treatment is highly effective for the body focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), including Trichotillomania (hair pulling) and Excoriation Disorder (skin picking). It consists of the individual monitoring their pulling or picking, using this information to target specific modalities, choosing specific treatment strategies, and evaluating the effectiveness of those strategies.
For more information on the treatment of BRFBs:
The TLC Foundation
Other treatments offered include, but are not limited to, the following: Mindfulness, Assertiveness Training, Interpersonal Effectiveness and Parent Training