Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates

The Licensed Therapists and Doctoral Level Psychologists at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates are trained in utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help patients struggling with Anxiety, Panic, Social Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive disorder (OCD), Depression, ADHD, grief, and life’s stressors. CBT can even be used to help individuals struggling with health conditions, such as chronic pain and insomnia. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be utilized without, or in conjunction with, medication management. The therapists and Psychologists at our practice will collaborate with a patient’s psychiatrist or other mental health providers, to create a comprehensive treatment plan, tailored to your specific needs and difficulties.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Angelo Rannazzisi, Psy.D. Now Scheduling patients for CBT in-office & online.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that involves the here-and-now. Patients identify maladaptive or distorted thought patterns (that may be worsening their psychiatric symptoms), and work to challenge those thoughts and assumptions. CBT involves education, relaxation exercises, exposure to triggering stimuli, training to learn coping skills to handle emotions, stress management, communication and assertiveness training, and other techniques.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment modality for anxiety, depression, grief, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Chronic pain, and various other conditions. It is an Active form of therapy, where motivated patients tend to be the most successful, and treatment typically involves reading and/or other “homework” between sessions. CBT is quite different from psychodynamic psychotherapy, and other forms of “traditional therapy.” As opposed to lying on a couch and freely speaking for extended periods about your childhood, CBT involves interactive sessions with the therapist, focused on your specific needs, and therapists tailoring those sessions to your specific condition.

What are the Principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a structured, goal oriented form of psychotherapy. It is based on several principles including.

1. Maladaptive or distorted patterns of thinking (or assumptions about the world) can result in patients experiencing high degrees of psychological distress. This distress can manifest as unhealthy levels of depression, anxiety, rumination, and even insomnia. It can also manifest with physical symptoms, for example, muscle tension, headaches, racing heart rate, gastrointestinal problems (diarrhea and constipation) and pain.
2. These maladaptive or distorted patterns of thinking are learned, as are patterns of behavior that may be unhealthy, related to these patterns of thinking.
3. Psychological difficulties are related to “core beliefs” that individuals hold, which can be challenged.
4. Through therapy and exercises utilized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we can unlearn maladaptive core beliefs, thought patterns and behaviors, and we can learn more adaptive strategies to improve our mental health and decrease our psychological distress.

Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we learn to identify our thoughts patterns, emotions and related behaviors, and we learn how to change those that are unhealthy, to improve our mental and physical health.

When Should Someone Consider Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

If an individual is struggling with emotions related to their mental or physical health, Cognitive

Chandani Patel, MA LPC. Psychotherapy for Students & Adults for Anxiety, Depression and Life Transitions.

Behavioral Therapy may be a great first step. As a non-medication option that has been shown to be effective in the treatment of various mental health conditions, it is safe for both children and adults.

What Psychiatric Conditions does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Treat?

• Anxiety and related disorders (Agoraphobia, Panic, Generalized Anxiety, Social Anxiety)
• Depression and Mood Disorders (Bipolar Disorder, Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder, Postpartum Depression)
• ADHD and Attention Deficit Disorders
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Specific Phobias
• Alcohol Use Disorder and other Substance Use Disorders
• Eating Disorders (Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder)
• Difficulties with Anger
• Others

What Medical Conditions can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Treat?

• Chronic Pain
• Insomnia and Sleep Disturbances
• Gastrointestinal Issues (Irritable Bowel Syndrome – IBS)
• Chronic Fatigue
• Chronic Headaches and Migraines
• Others

What Other Situations can CBT be Utilized For?

• Grief or Loss
• Relationship stress and problems
• Life transitions (changes with work or school)
• Divorce
• Stress related to a new medical diagnosis
• General Coping Skills

Why Choose Rittenhouse Psychiatric for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

The providers at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates are academically oriented providers, most of whom teach, or have taught, at local academic institutions. Our providers are Board Certified Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners and we have several licensed and doctoral level therapists and psychologists, who have specific training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and its use for the treatment of psychiatric conditions and life’s transitions and challenges.

• Licensed Therapists and Doctoral Level Psychologists
• Board Certified Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
• Academically Oriented providers, most of whom teach, or have taught, at local Academic Institutions
• Appointments generally available within 2 weeks.
• In-office and online Virtual Appointments for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy