Our Approach

Personal Treatment That Works

At the Bay Area CBT Center, we dedicate ourselves to integrating an interpersonal approach to a wide variety of evidence-based treatments. We base our therapy on the notion that psychological symptoms occur within an interpersonal context. The way we interact with others around us maintains and reinforces anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, chronic pain, and other conditions. And just as our relationships impact our moods, our moods also impact our relationships.

We can help you find a path through the often bewildering maze of interpersonal relationships and life’s challenges by developing healthier and more effective ways of relating—not only to others but to yourself as well.

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Considering the Whole Person

We are a group practice of cognitive behavioral therapists located in the Bay Area. We offer a number of empirically supported treatments including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), compassion-focused therapy (CFT), mindfulness-based therapies, and schema therapy. We apply behavioral principles while emphasizing an attachment and relational frame that considers the whole person.

Targeted therapy to get real results.

Relational Approach

We base our therapy on the notion that the relationships in your life including your relationship with your therapist are of central importance and are a primary motivator for behavioral change. Psychological symptoms occur within an interpersonal context. That could be your relationship with your partner, your boss, your family, your coworkers, or your therapist. Therefore we focus on creating an authentic and healing relationship with you. To understand your relationships and how they work (or don’t work) and how they impact your life, we explore not only how you feel but also what you think and how you behave.

Active Approach

We need more than insight to create behavioral change. Understanding the root of your struggles is not enough to create long-lasting change. Knowing where you are stuck is just the beginning. Creating behavioral flexibility and taking deliberate and meaningful actions, even in the face of fear is our ultimate goal. We need to learn specific tools and practice new skills in order to develop more effective coping strategies in our daily life.

Integrative Approach

There isn’t one type of treatment or therapeutic approach that is equally effective for everyone. An integrative approach is necessary for effective treatment outcomes. We consistently integrate tools and techniques from various treatment approaches to co-create a method that specifically works for you. We can help you overcome your difficulties and start living a more fulfilling and vital life. Our goal is to provide you with effective, collaborative, and integrative therapy that is specifically tailored to you and your situation - in short, to help you learn the skills you need to live the kind of life your desire.

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Our work with clients is empathic and challenging as well as behavioral and experiential

Techniques that are scientifically proven and guided by empirical research

Guided By Empirical Evidence & Research

We are trained in the most advanced and up-to-date treatment approaches, all which are based on research that supports their efficacy. Our approach is informed by the latest research findings in order to provide you with the highest quality, evidence-based treatments. We customize and tailor our work with you to meet your specific needs. Our goal is to provide you with the skills that you need to feel better and cope more effectively in the shortest period of time. Therefore, we offer flexible time frames for treatment including brief therapy, short-term therapy, and long-term therapy, depending on your particular situation.

Collaborative & Challenging

You are the expert regarding what is working for you and what isn’t. Therefore, we collaborate with you. We view this collaboration as essential. Together we investigate the challenges you face. As therapists, we also commit ourselves to developing a compassionate, authentic, and accepting therapeutic relationship with you, while still challenging unworkable behaviors—behaviors that prevent you from living the life you desire.

As we work with you, we focus on the present. Our sessions are oriented toward problem solving and overcoming barriers that prevent you from living a valued and meaningful life. We take an active, directive, and goal-oriented approach, and continually monitor your progress toward your desired goals.

Behavioral and Experiential

Our main focus is always on creating and maintaining behavioral change—that is, helping you become the person you want to be. Understanding the root of your struggles is not enough to create long lasting behavioral change. We need to learn the tools and practice new skills in order to develop more adaptive and effective behaviors in our daily life.

To facilitate this, we provide tools and strategies that help you explore and understand the consequences of the things you say and do as well as help you learn effective coping skills. These skills will enable you to overcome obstacles to effective action and to assess which behaviors are consistent with the kind of person you want to be.

Our approach is “experiential” because we incorporate specific techniques (including mindfulness, defusion, thought logs, exposure, metaphors) and experiential exercises to help you relate to your thoughts and feelings in a new way. Together, all of these tools, techniques, and strategies cultivate a compassionate, kind, and accepting stance toward yourself and your experiences.