Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented treatment approach. The underlying theory of CBT is that the individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence each other causing the development of negative patterns - a root cause of emotional distress. CBT focuses on awareness of one’s own thinking patterns in order to change perspectives and behaviors which in turn, improves mood and functioning. CBT is an evidence-based treatment that has been shown to be highly effective in creating positive change in individuals struggling with mental health issues.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment that focuses specifically on helping children, adolescents, and their parents (or other caregivers) overcome trauma-related difficulties and grief. Treatment can be especially useful to target unique symptoms in youth who exhibit stress, irritability, anger, and/or sadness resulting from an earlier traumatic event or significant loss. TF-CBT helps children identify and recognize distorted or upsetting beliefs and learn skills to help them cope with daily stressors. In addition, therapists will often work directly with caregivers to not only help provide appropriate support to their children in such events but to help them cope with their own emotional distress.

Exposure Therapy & Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

Exposure Therapy & Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) are types of behavioral therapy that gradually expose individuals to triggers that typically cause fears and obsessive thoughts. In treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), ERP exposes individuals to their fears directly without allowing their compulsions to occur. The goal of ERP is to help individuals learn to tolerate the anxiety and distress created by having obsessive thoughts and then reduce the compulsive behaviors that often maintain that anxiety. Exposure Therapy is used to treat phobias by similarly exposing individuals to their fears, in manageable amounts, allowing them to tolerate and eventually overcome those fears.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that emphasizes acceptance as a way to deal with negative thoughts, feelings, symptoms, or circumstances. The goal of ACT is to embrace negative thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty. An additional emphasis is placed on the practice of mindfulness, acceptance, compassion, and living in the present moment. It also encourages increased commitment to healthy, constructive activities that uphold an individual’s values.

Parent Management Therapy (PMT)

Parent Management Therapy (PMT) is geared toward providing parents and caregivers with better parenting skills & strategies that help increase healthy family communications & interactions. PMT can be effective as an independent treatment or together with a child's own therapy. PMT is designed to create a more peaceful home environment and foster positive behavioral change. The techniques utilized include de-escalation, behavioral modification, positive communication, and effective use of consequences.

Supportive Psychotherapy

Supportive Psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach that draws from various therapeutic schools such as cognitive behavioral and interpersonal conceptual models. This therapy serves to reduce symptoms and to maintain, restore, or improve self-esteem; ego functions; and adaptive skills. This method can be particularly beneficial for those experiencing issues that have stretched their coping capacities. Supportive therapy can offer practical tools, support, and encouragement to achieve one’s goals and increase a patient’s functional abilities. Supportive therapy can involve many different therapy techniques and methods, but above all, it prioritizes creating a safe space where clients can express their emotions and explore their behaviors with a therapist in a fluid, conversational style.

SPACE Treatment

SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) is a cutting edge, evidence-based parenting program that was researched and created by Dr. Eli Lebowitz at the Yale Parenting Center. SPACE stands apart from other child and adolescent therapies in that it focusses on empowering and teaching parents the skills to help their child overcome anxiety. Studies have shown that SPACE can help decrease anxious symptoms and improve overall functioning in children and adolescents through parent support.

Life InSight’s therapists understand that a child’s anxiety can impact the whole family, especially as caretakers or siblings work to accommodate symptoms. For instance, they may avoid activities and change schedules to minimize exposure to triggers and help reduce anxiety in the short-term. Unfortunately, these accommodations can contribute to a cycle of avoidance and increased anxiety in the long-term. Parents who complete SPACE learn to respond and support their children/teen in alternative ways. This treatment is a great resource for parents whose children struggle with separation anxiety, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, fears or phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.