What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective group of evidenced-based treatments that places an emphasis on helping adults and young adults learn to be their own therapists. Through exercises in the session, as well as “homework” exercises outside of sessions, individuals are taught to develop coping skills, whereby they can learn to change their own thinking, problematic emotions and behavior. CBT treatment usually involves efforts to change thinking patterns. These strategies might include learning to calm the mind, relax the body, and recognize distortions in thinking that are creating problems. Individuals also develop problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations and learn to develop a greater sense of confidence in their own abilities.

What is Dialetical Behavior Therapy?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses on teaching coping skills to reduce emotional extremes and problematic thought and behavioral patterns. Our goal is to help clients develop flexible thinking and gain more control over their feelings and behaviors. DBT also helps clients learn how to make and keep appropriate friendships and relationships with other people. Some people may be prone to react in a more intense manner toward certain emotional situations, primarily within close relationships. Some may experience extreme swings in their emotions, see the world in black-and-white, and seem to always be jumping from one crisis to another. Because few people understand such reactions, they may have unhealthy methods for coping with these sudden, intense surges of emotion. DBT is a method for teaching skills that will help people develop more emotional equilibrium in themselves and improve their relationships with others. A number of our therapists are trained to provide therapy that incorporates DBT concepts, and we provide DBT Skills Groups for adolescents to help them learn and practice skills.

We do NOT provide full, manualized DBT programs at Weaver and Associates, but partner with other quality programs in the area that do, and are happy to make recommendations.

What is Mentalization?

Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT) is an evidenced-based, relational therapy that has proven effective in improving mood, outlook and functioning. Mentalization helps people see themselves more clearly and improve their relationships with others. It is a way for people to learn to better “understand misunderstandings,” both with themselves, and with other important people in their lives.

Originally designed to treat Borderline Personality Disorder in adults, newer research has expanded this treatment model for both adults and adolescents (MBT-A) who are struggling with more everyday problems. Mentalization can be helpful for treating major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, and other personality disorders.

We are proud that virtually all our therapists have intensive specialized training in Mentalization, which is rare for therapists in the United States. We also continue to engage in regular weekly consultation with a specialist from the Anna Freud Centre in London to further develop our skills.

What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a unique empirically based psychological intervention that uses a mix of acceptance and mindfulness strategies, together with commitment and behavior change strategies, to increase psychological flexibility. ACT especially illuminates the ways that language entangles clients into futile attempts to wage war against their own inner lives. Through metaphors and experiential exercises clients learn how to make healthy contact with thoughts, feelings, memories, and physical sensations that have been feared and avoided. Clients gain the skills to better understand and accept these events, develop greater clarity about personal values, and find a new ease as they make desired changes in their behavior and lives.

What is Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy?

Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) is the “gold standard” of treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). A number of our therapists are highly trained in this specialized treatment. People initially hear the word “exposure” and are worried treatment could be scary, but ERP allows individuals to manage their fears, go at their own pace and feel successful right from the start. The “Response Prevention” part of ERP helps clients learn to comfortably control compulsions, avoidance and/or escape behaviors. Once a client has better control over their compulsions, their obsessive thinking naturally comes into balance.

What are Somatic Therapies?

Somatic Therapies use body awareness in psychotherapy to address the connections between the brain, the mind, and behavior. Modern day somatic psychotherapies, such as Somatic Experiencing or Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, work with intrusive survival responses (flight, fight or freeze) in an effort to resolve trauma and other issues.