Therapeutic Services. Dr. Williams and his staff treat a variety of problems through the application of psychological treatments. In this office, we provide a variety of treatments including the following:

• Cognitive Therapy: Cognitive therapy is the most widely researched and scientifically validated therapy there exists for the treatment of psychological, emotional, and behavioral problems. Thought, behavior, feeling, and physiology are all interconnected. It is difficult for individuals to simply change their emotions and their physiology; however, identifying and changing unhealthy modes of thinking and behaving is entirely possible. Cognitive therapy has been used effectively in the treatment of mood disorders (depressive disorders), anxiety disorders, impulse control disorders, eating disorders, childhood disorders, substance abuse disorders, personality disorders, sexual disorders, and pain/somatic disorders. Cognitive therapy requires effort, is usually directive to some degree, and produces lasting results. Teaching is a central component to cognitive therapy, but it does not minimize the unique experience that each person will bring to the therapeutic setting. In cognitive therapy, the patient and doctor work together as a collaborative team to identify and change those unhealthy thoughts that are causing problems. After participating in cognitive therapy, patients have learned new ways to analyze and conceptualize their problems, to identify unhealthy and disruptive thoughts, to counter those unhealthy thoughts, and to replace unhealthy thoughts with healthy alternatives. Typically, patients notice improvements within 2-6 weeks of the initiation of interventions. Psychological science reveals that cognitive therapy is effective. For example, after a course of cognitive therapy, meta-analytic research shows that when compared to control groups, 79% of adult depressed patents, 87% of adolescent depressed patients, 82% of children with depression, 85% of anxious patients, 76% of people with marital problems, 76% of those with anger problems, and 68% of those with pain/somatoform disorders fared better after cognitive therapy. Research demonstrates that cognitive therapy is somewhat superior to antidepressant medications in the early treatment of depression, and its effects are much more resistant to relapse over time. For example, one study found that those treated with cognitive therapy experienced a relapse rate of less than 30% while those treated with medication experience a relapse rate of 60% one year following treatment. Those individuals who show the greatest benefit utilize direct action (active problem solving) and relaxation techniques. Those that show slower improvements utilize self-blame and assurance seeking from others as strategies. Finally, although cognitive therapy tends to cost more than medication in the short-term, cost-effectiveness analyses reveal that as little as 16 sessions save patients significant sums of money over the long-term. Personality disorders and more recalcitrant behavioral problems may necessitate extended periods of treatment; however, through psychological testing, Dr. Williams can give patients an idea of how much treatment should suffice.

• Hypnosis: Hypnosis is also a scientifically validated treatment that is a useful adjunct to cognitive therapy. Psychological science reveals that the average patient who receives cognitive therapy as well as hypnosis is better off following treatment than more than 70%-80% than those who received only cognitive therapy (Kirsch 1993, 1995). It has been recognized by the American Medical Association as a valid technique since the 1950s. Hypnotherapy involves several basic techniques that can be applied to a variety of problems such as relaxation, coping skills, guided imagery, cognitive restructuring, and successive approximations. Dr. Williams will prescribe hypnosis for a variety of conditions including the treatment of depression, anxiety, personality disorders, occupational stress, and chronic pain. Hypnosis has also been successful in assisting patients change addictive behaviors. People tend to have a number of misconceptions regarding hypnosis. The simple truth behind clinical hypnosis is that the patient is in complete control of the hypnotic experience at all times, and it provides a ready vehicle to promote relaxation, pain tolerance, and psychological and physical wellness.

• Motivational Interviewing: Motivational interviewing is a mode of treatment used to address a variety of behavioral disorders, but it is typically used to treat addictions. Motivational interviewing is a humanistic and directive approach that emphasizes identifying the particular stage of change in which a person is presenting. Once this is established, therapeutic tactics are implemented to assist the individual progress through the change process more rapidly.

• Relaxation Skills: Relaxation skills are a means to counteract unhealthy physiological arousal in the body. There are a number of relaxation techniques that we teach including autogenic training, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, breathing techniques, meditation, and brief relaxation techniques. Relaxation skills are commonly incorporated when addressing chronic pain,  stress, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, impulse control disorders, and substance abuse disorders.

• Exposure Therapy: Exposure therapy is a behavioral intervention designed to treat phobias, traumatic stress, obsessive and compulsive behaviors, situational fears, and other anxiety related problems. Basically, exposure therapy requires the patient to confront his or her fear under the guidance and supervision of the doctor. Patients learn how to incorporate relaxation exercises and other cognitive therapy tactics in order to muster the strength to overcome whatever it was causing anxiety. Exposure therapy has been demonstrated in the scientific literature to be more effective than benzodiazepines and other psychiatric drugs in the treatment of many anxiety disorders.

• Systematic Desensitization: By incorporating imagined and real-life exposure coupled with relaxation exercises and cognitive interventions, psychologists can assist people in extinguishing a number of fear and anxiety based responses. Systematic desensitization is often used in the treatment of social phobia and other simple phobias, generalized anxiety, traumatic stress, and performance anxiety.

• Parent-child Interaction Therapy. The combination of parent-child attachment problems and child behavior management problems are very strong predictors of disruptive behavior. The goals of Parent-child Interaction Therapy are to improve both the parent-child attachment relationship as well as to improve upon existing parent management skills. We assume that a secure, nurturing relationship is a necessary foundation for establishing effective limit setting and consistency in discipline that will achieve lasting change. The specific goal of the child directive interaction phase are to increase parental responsiveness and establish a more nurturing and secure relationship between the parent and child. Once parents master these specific skills, treatment moves into the second phase where the parent directs interactions. Parents learn how to lead children’s behavior using empirically validated behavioral tactics. Typical outcomes consist of decreased problem behaviors and strengthened family relationships.

• Dialectic Behavioral Therapy. Our office also provide DBT for those struggling with personality disorders. This mode of therapy teaches patients to recognize conflicting needs and how they are driving powerful emotions. Patients learn several different types of skills, and they participate in individual process oriented therapy as well. This therapeutic approach has been shown to significantly decrease parasuicide and suicide attempts. It has also been found to reduce medical costs among those with serious emotionl problems.

• Family , Couples, and Group Therapy: Psychologists are aware that people do not exist in a vacuum, and oftentimes people experience emotional problems secondary to stressful relationships. A systems approach is often warranted to change the environments that foster untoward emotional consequences. Group therapy is a means to address problems such as anger management, sexual impulse control disorders, chronic pain, depression, and other mental health disorders in an efficient manner. Group therapy provides for social support and understanding as well as a means to impart psychoeducation on a variety of topics.