Cognitive Therapy (or cognitive behavioral therapy --CBT)  was originally developed by Aaron T. Beck, M.D. a recent recipient of the prestigious Lasker Award in Medicine. First developed for depression, the premise of cognitive therapy is that our thoughts influence our mood and behavior. A simple but revolutionary idea. By changing our thoughts or our relationship to our thoughts, we can change behavior and emotions. 

DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is proven in clinical research to help people with the following problems:

• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Suicidal Adolescents
• Substance abuse/Implusive behaviors (i.e., shoplifting, high risk sex, etc.)
• Suicidal Behavior/Self-Injurious Behavior
• Intense emotions (i.e. anger, sadness, fear) 
• Difficulty building and maintaining healthy relationships
• Chronic feelings of emptiness
• Depression among older adults

DBT also is better than standard treatments for BPD at keeping people out of the emergency room and the hospital. In fact, DBT is the most well-established psychological treatment for problems related to BPD.

DBT balances acceptance and change. Cognitive Behavioral change strategies are blended with Eastern practices including mindfulness and meditation.

Being a participant in DBT involves:

1. Several sessions of assesment and "pre-treatment" where both the therapist and person receiving treatment agree on the goals of the treatment and agree to do DBT together.

2. Weekly individual therapy

3. Weekly group skills training which teaches:

• mindfulness skills,
  
• emotion regulation skills
  
• interpersonal effectiveness skills
  
• tolerating emotional distress skills
  

4. In between session skills coaching to help participants learn to use their skills in the situations where they need them most, not just in the office.

5. In addition, DBT therapists meet weekly to discuss cases, and to provide the supervision, training, and support required to be effective therapists.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY PROGRAM

We at CBT California are aware of the difficulties of having a loved one with emotional and behavioral difficulties. While many of these people are often described as “difficult” or “manipulative,” the CBT California team perceives them differently and understands the core of their emotional struggles. Our Friends and Family program is designed to help the friends and family members of individuals with medical and behavioral problems learn skills to cope better with the chaos that can accompany these problems. The program  covers the following topics:

• Education on emotional regulation problems and DBT 
  
• Family Perspectives and Experiences
  
• Mindfulness Skills
  
• Emotion Regulation Skills  
  
• Effective Communication Skills  
  
• Distress Tolerance Skills
  
• Validation Skills

Our Friends and Family Program also utilizes the Family Guidelines, published by the New England Personality Disorder Association, to teach friends and families the following:

• Set realistic expectations
  
• Manage the family environment
  
• Manage crises
  
• Address problems
  
• Observe limits
  

COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS SYSTEM OF PSYCHOTHERAPY (CBASP)

CBASP is the only therapy developed specifially for patients suffering from Chronic Depression.  This treatment focuses on helping the patient break free of their overwhelming negative assumptions about the world and learn to get what they want, especially in the realm of  close interpersonal relationships. 

ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment therapy is based on the premise that our thoughts, emotions and sensations do not need to rule our lives. Instead we can learn to base our actions on living a dignified human life based on what is most important to us. This newer treatment has shown promise with anxiety disorders, chronic pain, psychosis and schizophrenia as well as substance abuse, depression and medical illness management.