To begin, we will meet for an initial interview & diagnostic evaluation.  Following your initial evaluation, we will collaborate to develop a treatment plan that addresses your individual concerns.  I value the science of clinical psychology, and my treatment recommendations to you will be focused around those approaches that have demonstrated efficacy in research studies for the problems you are experiencing. 

Your treatment plan may include the following components of cognitive-behavioral therapy:

• Education.  An opportunity to learn about the nature of the problems you are experiencing, including how our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors drive our emotional state.
  
• Exposure Therapy.  One of the most effective treatments for anxiety, exposure therapy guides you to confront those things that you have been avoiding as a result of your anxiety.  In exposure therapy, your psychologist would accompany you or otherwise help you to approach situations, places, and thoughts that trigger your anxiety, while providing structure, support, and reassurance.  
  
• Cognitive Restructuring.  In a cognitive approach, you learn to identify and then change those unhelpful automatic thoughts and beliefs related to the problems you are experiencing.
• Skills Building.  You may be encouraged to learn and practice specific, direct skills (for example, breathing retraining) that may help you to manage sources of stress in your life or reduce your anxiety and related problems.  
  
• Family/Couples Therapy.  Provides an opportunity for parents, spouses, or other loved ones to participate in the therapy process to better understand your diagnosis, treatment plan, and ways they can support you for optimal outcome in treatment.

We will also work together to evaluate your progress, including the use of repeated assessments to carefully monitor your progress in treatment and make adjustments to our plan as needed.