Psychotherapy
What we treat
We welcome clients with diverse identities and all walks of life who struggle with mood and anxiety problems. Our vision is to support youth and adults to cope effectively with their symptoms while pursuing a thriving, value-guided, and socially connected lives. The following are some specific disorders that we treat:
- Chronic Pain
- Depression
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Hair Pulling and Skin Picking
- Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Sleep Disorder
- Specific Phobias
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Stress, including but not limited to
- Parenting Stress
- Acculturative Stress
- Discriminatory stress
Who we treat
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Adolescent
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Adults
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Parents & Caregivers
Evidence-Based Treatments
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ACT is an evidence-based psychotherapeutic intervention for depression, anxiety, stress, chronic pain, and other comorbid conditions. ACT combines two core strategies: (1) mindfulness or acceptance and (2) behavior change to engage in valued actions. Mindfulness strategies are used to effectively cope with internal discomforts such as difficult thoughts, intense feelings, and physical pain. Behavioral strategies guide people to consistently commit to engaging in actions that matter most to them and move them towards a thriving life. The ability to open up to the present moment while engaging in value-guided behaviors is also known as psychological flexibility.
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Behavioral activation (BA) is a psychotherapeutic intervention for depression and comorbid conditions such as anxiety, trauma, and chronic health problems. The goal of BA is to support people in engaging in activities that will move them towards a thriving life while coping effectively with symptoms, difficult feelings, and emotions. Activation in BA focuses on several types of activities, such as daily routines and healthy habits, enjoyable activities, socially connecting activities, and value-guided activities. BA uses many behavioral strategies to overcome barriers that impede activation and enhance successful engagement in actions that matter most to people.
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Behavior Therapy for Trichotillomania and Tic Disorders is a targeted treatment approach that focuses on modifying the behaviors and thought patterns associated with these conditions. It often includes techniques such as habit reversal training, which teaches individuals to recognize triggers and develop alternative responses. This therapy is effective in reducing symptoms, improving control, and enhancing the quality of life for those affected by trichotillomania and tic disorders.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP) is an evidence-based approach that helps individuals manage and reduce the psychological impact of chronic pain. It combines cognitive strategies to reframe negative thoughts about pain with behavioral techniques to encourage adaptive coping mechanisms and physical activity. CBT-CP aims to improve quality of life by addressing both the emotional and functional aspects of living with chronic pain.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a structured, evidence-based approach that helps individuals address the underlying thoughts and behaviors contributing to chronic sleep difficulties. It involves techniques such as cognitive restructuring to challenge unhelpful beliefs about sleep, stimulus control to associate the bed with sleep rather than wakefulness, and sleep restriction to improve sleep efficiency. CBT-I is effective in reducing insomnia symptoms and improving overall sleep quality without the need for medication.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a treatment for mood and anxiety disorders that has strong research support. It is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are interconnected, and that changing unhelpful thinking patterns can lead to changes in feelings and behaviors. The treatment involves a structured, time-limited approach that focuses on specific problems and goals. Some examples of key strategies in CBT are changing or responding effectively to unhelpful thoughts, engaging in productive and meaningful activities, exposure to feared situations, problem solving, and skills training.
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Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for trauma is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals process and overcome the impact of traumatic experiences. It focuses on identifying and challenging unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma, promoting a more balanced and adaptive understanding. By addressing these cognitive distortions, CPT aids in reducing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and improving overall psychological well-being.
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Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals manage intense emotions, suicide and self-harm behaviors, build healthier relationships, and pursuing a life worth living. DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices to create a balanced approach to emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT was originally developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan to treat borderline personality disorder and has since been adapted to treat a wide range of psychological disorders, including depression, anxiety, eating disorder, and substance use disorders.
Our Center provides a DBT-informed approach focusing on individual DBT therapy only. While Drs. Nagy and Puspitasari have received intensive training and supervision in DBT, the Center does not offer a comprehensive DBT program that includes individual therapy, skills training group, phone coaching, and therapist consultation team.
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Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is a highly effective form of CBT specifically designed for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other anxiety-related conditions. ERP involves two parts: (1) exposing individuals to their fears or obsessions in a controlled and gradual manner while; (2) preventing the compulsive behaviors, safety behaviors, and avoidance strategies typically used to reduce anxiety. This process helps individuals learn to tolerate anxiety and distress without resorting to compulsive actions.
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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for mood and anxiety disorders is an innovative treatment that blends cognitive behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices. It helps individuals develop awareness of their thoughts and feelings, enabling them to break the cycle of recurrent depression and anxiety. By fostering a non-judgmental and present-focused mindset, MBCT effectively reduces symptoms and prevents relapse in mood and anxiety disorders.
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Prolonged exposure (PE) is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment for individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions. PE helps individuals process and reduce the distress associated with traumatic memories by gradually confronting these memories and associated situations in a safe and controlled environment. The goal of PE is to diminish the impact of trauma on daily life and promote recovery and resilience. Key components of PE include education about trauma and PTSD, practicing controlled breathing techniques, detailed recounting of the traumatic event (imaginal exposure), gradually and safely confronting situations, places, people, and activities that are being avoided due to trauma-related fear and anxiety (in-vivo exposure).