Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Chronic Pain

ACT and CBT are both empirically supported treatments for chronic pain management. ACT helps those with chronic pain identify what they value in life and how to move towards those meaningful experiences with self-kindness. CBT helps those with chronic pain reduce maladaptive ways of thinking about pain, while testing strongly held pain beliefs. Please click on the article below to learn more about how ACT and CBT approaches may help your physical and emotional pain. ACT, CBT and Chronic Pain Management Article

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ACT for Substance Use Disorders

Dr. Berman’s research abstract on the benefits of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Substance Use Disorders was recently published in the Substance Abuse Journal. Please click on the link below, then download “Supplemental Materials” to view Dr. Berman’s research in the “Book of abstracts”, page 41. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Substance Use Disorders

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Mindfulness Works!

Mindfulness meditation has gone mainstream, and for good reason. It really works! But what does that mean… it works? Is it a way to shut off the brain or numb unwanted emotions? Not exactly. Mindfulness is about becoming an observe of thoughts in order to reduce the exhausting struggle with them. Not only is the struggle to get rid of our internal experiences tiring, but it also keeps us stuck internally fighting rather than living living. As Mika Brzezinski from MSNBC would say, it helps to “recalibrate”, change our relationship with ourselves  and become less reactive. One of the most powerful ingredients of mindfulness is acceptance. The act of being… Read More

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How to Stay Motivated with Depression and Anxiety

We all have those days when we wake up just not feeling like ourselves. Sometimes it is because anxiety has reared it’s ugly head and other times because getting out of bed and facing the day just seems impossible. When we are faced with challenging life situations it is helpful to have the tools available to keep engaging in life even when it seems overwhelming. This is why identifying values to move towards is so important. Values are like a North Star keeping you on your life path even when uncomfortable emotions want to pull you away. Playing the “Impossible Game” is a great way to challenge yourself to “do… Read More

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is significant concern for many new mother’s and their families. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 7 women will experience symptoms of depression either during of after pregnancy . New evidence shows that pregnant women who are at risk for depression but have never had past symptoms can use cognitive behavioral therapy to prevent depression from occurring. While other helpful interventions such as physical activity, education and medication have demonstrated benefits, cognitive behavioral therapy was shown to reduce the risk of depression by 39 percent in pregnant woman and new mothers. Please click on the link below to learn more about the benefits of receiving cognitive behavioral… Read More

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Is Stress Bad?

It is often said that stress is bad for a person’s health. Research has shown that stress can potentially lead to heart disease amongst other health concerns. However, new research challenges this assumption that stress is the enemy. In fact it appears that stress may not be the culprit, and infact it is ones reaction to stress that is the problem. It has been shown that different individuals experiencing the same levels of stress can have different outcomes with regards to health. Research appears to show this this has much to do with how stress is perceived and respond to. The more healthy the response to stress, the less impactful… Read More

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