Treatment for Children, Adolescents, and College Students
Children | Adolescents | College Students
The American Institute for Cognitive Therapy (AICT) is pleased to announce expanded child and adolescent therapy services. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a time-limited, solution-focused treatment. The goal of therapy is to provide children and their parents with coping skills to better manage difficult situations now and in the future. Treatment can address the following problem areas faced by patients and families:
- Distress following parental divorce, death of a parent, medical diagnosis
- School refusal or difficulty being away from parents
- Frequent bed wetting
- Excessive worries about many areas of life
- Socially impairing shyness or problems with family and peer relationships
- Repetitive, time-consuming behaviors, such as frequent hand washing
- Fears about medical procedures or instruments
- Intrusive images or nightmares following an accident, life-threatening diagnosis, or surgery
- Managing chronic pain or nonmedical somatic symptoms
- Increase in sad mood or irritability which could lead to depression
- Disruptive behaviors, difficulty following directions and paying attention in class
- Repeatedly breaking rules, failing to comply with adults requests
- Overeating and difficulty losing weight, medically stable anorexia and bulimia
Treatment modalities include:
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- Emotion Regulation Skills
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- Mindfulness Skills Training
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- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
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Laura Reigada, PhD, Clinician is a New York State licensed psychologist who is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She completed a two-year NIMH postdoctoral clinical research fellowship at the Institute for Anxiety and Mood Disorders, at the NYU Child Study Center, within the NYU School of Medicine. Dr Reigada continued her education by becoming a NIH Child, Intervention, Prevention and Services fellow. Currently she has grant funding to develop and test an integrative cognitive-behavioral intervention that jointly addresses anxiety and physical complaints within the context of pediatric chronic illness. Based on her research, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America named her the first Goldman Scholar in Pediatric Research. Dr. Reigada has extensive clinical experience working with children and adults on anxiety, mood disorders, parenting, school avoidance, functional pain (including irritable bowel syndrome and abdominal pain) and chronic illness. She serves on the medical advisory committee for the Greater New York Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. Furthermore, she is a founding member, and past president, of the New York City Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Organization.
Adolescents
Adolescence is a formative period of intellectual, social, and emotional growth. Given the mounting responsibilities adolescents are typically confronted with in today’s environment, it is important they learn ways to prioritize their mental health in addition to their other obligations. If you are concerned that your adolescent is experiencing self-defeating thoughts, has difficulty controlling his or her emotions, or is engaging in problematic behaviors to the extent that it impairs their ability to function at school or interact with friends, family members, or authority figures, it may be worth pursuing a professional consultation.
At AICT we provide consultations to determine the type of support and tools that will help your adolescent learn ways to cope more effectively and improve their quality of life. Currently we offer individual and group therapy using cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy to address one or more of the following problems your adolescent may be experiencing:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Anger/Aggression
- Difficulty Regulating Emotions
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Trichotillomania
- Eating disorders
- Body Image Concerns
- Adolescent/Parent/Family Dilemmas
- Substance Abuse
- Self-Harm
- Relationship Conflicts
- Low Self-Esteem
- School Refusal
Following an initial consultation with the parent(s) and the adolescent, the clinician will determine whether one of the following options are appropriate and will recommend a course of treatment.
Treatment Options
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a problem-focused, goal-oriented and proactive treatment approach, with particular emphasis on the present and future, as opposed to the past (although learned behaviors from past experiences may also be relevant). CBT is a form of psychotherapy based on the premise that thoughts, emotions and behaviors are interconnected. Treatment emphasizes identifying, evaluating and modifying dysfunctional thinking patterns and problematic behaviors to improve overall quality of life. An advantage of CBT is that it teaches strategies to effectively cope even as difficult situations change and evolve. Collaboration and psychoeducation are key elements in guiding adolescents to improved emotional well-being. CBT is offered in individual sessions and does not require group attendance.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) was originally developed for adults by Dr. Marsha Linehan, psychologist and researcher at the University of Washington, and later adapted for use with adolescents. This approach has been found to be an effective treatment for individuals with problems regulating emotions. AICT offers a comprehensive DBT program for adolescents and their parents. This treatment is for those who may be struggling with one or more of the following:
- Difficulty Regulating Emotions
- Intense Anxiety, Depression, Anger
- Adolescent/Parent/Family Dilemmas
- Substance Abuse
- Self-Harm
- Eating Disorders
- Relationship Conflicts
- Aggression
- Confusion of Self
Individual DBT for Adolescents
Individual DBT for Adolescents is a treatment program designed to help adolescents become more knowledgeable and confident in their ability to: (1) understand and learn ways to manage overwhelming emotions, (2) effectively work through difficult situations, and (3) improve relationships that are important to maintain. For optimal treatment results, it is recommended that adolescents attend individual therapy sessions once a week while at the same time they and their parents attend the DBT Adolescent and Multi-Family Skills Training Group.
DBT Adolescent and Multi-Family Skills Training Group
Adolescents and their parents will attend a 1 ½ hour weekly skills groups for 16 weeks. The format is designed to teach adolescents and their parents a new and effective skill set organized in the following five modules: (1) Mindfulness, (2) Emotion Regulation, (3) Distress Tolerance, (4) Interpersonal Effectiveness, and (5) Walking the Middle Path. This group helps parents understand and respond to their adolescent, and effectively help their adolescent become more adaptive in managing day to day emotions and behaviors. The 16-week group, which is concurrent with individual therapy, is a 4 month commitment. Both the adolescent and their parents (in some instances one parent) are required to attend. New families will be invited to join the group when each new skill module is introduced, which occurs every 4-5 weeks.
The DBT Adolescent and Multi-Family Skills Training Group meets on Wednesday evenings 7:00 – 8:30 pm. New members will be able to join the group every 3-4 weeks.
Frequently asked questions about DBT
What can we expect from the group experience?
Many people have different ideas about what group therapy is like. DBT offers a structured group format and is often described by group members as a skills-based class. The group leader prioritizes the group to cover core topics to help identify problem areas and teach valuable skills to be more effective in everyday living. Homework is assigned and reviewed each week, and group members are strongly encouraged to participate throughout the discussion.
What happens if my adolescent has to miss more than 4 sessions/groups due to school, extracurricular activities, camp, or vacation? Or what if the parent(s) miss more than 4 groups due to outside obligations?
This is a common concern of many parents. The best approach is to make a best effort to attend weekly sessions/groups. If this is not realistic, it is best to speak with Dr. Horowitz to arrange for a tailored approach that will best accommodate your adolescent and family needs.
Can my adolescent participate in the group without attending individual therapy?
Unlike the CBT program, the DBT program requires attendance in both individual and group sessions.
What if my adolescent is currently in an inpatient facility or partial hospitalization? How do we make the transition to outpatient services?
Some of our clients have started treatment following hospitalization. Given the uniqueness of each case, it is best to speak directly with Dr. Horowitz about your adolescent’s circumstance to see if this is the appropriate level of care at this time.
What are other problems that are addressed in individual and group DBT for adolescents?
Other topics addressed in treatment include but are not limited to the following: poor self-image, peer pressure/bullying, trichotillomania, social isolation, academic difficulties resulting from emotional instability, romantic relationships, divorce, and sibling rivalry.
For additional questions or to schedule a consultation, please contact Dr. Melissa Horowitz, at (212) 308-2440 or email intake@cognitivetherapynyc.com.
Melissa D. Horowitz, Psy.D., specializes in working with adolescents, adults, couples and families. She is a formally trained cognitive behavioral therapist and has been intensively trained in DBT through Behavioral Tech and the Cognitive Behavioral Consultants of Westchester to treat adolescents and adults. Dr. Horowitz is sensitive to the particular needs of adolescents and the struggles they encounter in their developing years. In her work, she takes a nonjudgmental role and balances acceptance and change in helping her clients and their parents work toward a life worth living. Dr. Horowitz also supervises psychology externs in DBT and has presented on topics in DBT at local area hospitals.
College Student Counseling
College Students/Young Adults
Many universities provide short-term counseling. If you are in need of more comprehensive treatment or wish to pursue treatment in a setting removed from your school, American Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Dr. Taitz has expertise in treating problems including academic difficulties (test anxiety, difficulty with time management), relationship stress, binge eating, anorexia, difficulty managing emotions and impulses, substance use, perfectionism, insomnia, and depression.
Jenny L. Taitz, Psy.D., Director of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program, Clinician, graduated Magna Cum Laude from New York University and earned her doctorate in clinical psychology at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. Dr. Taitz completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy. She completed a pre-doctoral fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine where she specialized in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for co-morbid substance use and personality disorders and Behavioral Health. As an intensively trained DBT clinician, Dr. Taitz incorporates mindfulness, acceptance, and motivational enhancement with traditional cognitive behavioral therapy. In addition to treating a diverse range of problems such as depression, generalized anxiety disorder, eating disorders, panic disorder, specific phobias, social phobia and borderline personality disorder, she also provides psychotherapy to patients with medical problems. Dr. Taitz has compassion and understanding for young adults struggling in academic settings with perfectionism, procrastination, inattention, anxiety, eating disorders, avoidance, and substance use. She enjoys teaching her patients tangible tools to get unstuck. Her research has focused on the efficacy of a self-administered mindfulness intervention and mechanisms of change in mindfulness treatments. Dr. Taitz is an adjunct clinical supervisor in the clinical psychology doctoral program at Yeshiva University and a regular contributor to the Urban Mindfulness blog. Dr. Taitz is currently completing a popular audience book on managing emotions for people who struggle with emotional eating.
Helpful Resources
For more information on children and adolescents please see the following chapters that you can download below:
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