COMPREHENSIVE OUTPATIENT ASSESSMENT

The Center for Evidence-Based Treatment offers comprehensive psychiatric evaluations for individuals seeking diagnostic assessment and treatment recommendations. This assessment is individualized to address the specific questions to be answered. The evaluation team includes a psychiatrist, psychologist, and a clinical social worker. Other specialists, such as an addictions expert, can be added if needed.

The assessment typically includes a psychiatric evaluation, psychological testing and a psychosocial assessment; however, each assessment is modified as necessary to meet the needs of the client. Two or three days is the minimum requirement to complete the assessment. This may be done over a week if that time frame is more convenient for the client. Verbal feedback is given within two days and a written assessment is completed within two weeks.

The team will meet with the client to discuss the questions the client would like answered by the assessment. After the assessment is completed, the team again meets with the client to give feedback.

Questions about diagnosis, treatment planning, and medications are among the most common questions addressed. Psychiatrists, therapists, and physicians may refer a patient for evaluation and consultation. Clients may request the evaluation for themselves as well.

GROUP SKILLS TRAINING

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was developed by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. as a treatment for individuals with chronic mood dysregulation. Individuals with various diagnoses can benefit, including those with borderline personality disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, bipolar disorder and chronic depression. This therapy is an evidence-based treatment, meaning that it has been proven to be effective in research trials. DBT Skills Training is a component of DBT which focuses on teaching coping skills to deal with life situations, including feelings and thoughts that trigger self destructive decisions and behaviors. Dr. Linehan looked at the differences between people who go through life problems and are stronger and those who go through life problems and suffer greatly. She identified some core skills that the people who thrive used that the people who suffer did not use and then developed a program to teach these skills.

INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT

In the individual sessions, the therapist and client contract to work on specific goals for a specific period of time. Emphasis in the first part of the DBT therapy is on application of DBT skills to the client's life.

EDUCATION

The DBT Center and the Center for Evidenced Based Treatment offer periodic educational seminars for professionals and for patients and families. Please call for information about current programs.


CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

The DBT Center periodically offers group skills training for children ages
8 - 11 to help them learn to manage their emotions and improve their social skills. A parent is asked to attend the group with the child.

The groups usually are a series of 8. In addition to the groups we offer family therapy and therapy for children as well.

Adolescent skills groups are available as are individual sessions. Ages 16 and above can be admitted into the IOP Program. Adolescents younger than 16 are considered on a case by case basis.