Treatment Programs

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Depression is a mood problem that occurs when you feel negative about self, the world, and the future. Unlike sadness, it persists and may lead you to give up hope and feel defeated. At the worst stages, you may contemplate or attempt suicide. Anxiety encompasses many different types of emotional difficulties. It is a type of emotion that gets in the way of you and what you want to do. Anxiety disorders include phobias (fear of different kinds of situations, objects, or beings), panic disorder (episodes of extreme fear when you may feel you are going out of your mind or are about to die, but don't), and problems you may have around stress and tension. Both these problems are common and can be serious if they get out of control and do not receive treatment. Cognitive Therapy is perhaps the most researched and validated type of psychotherapy for Anxiety and Depression. It has been shown to be the most effective short term approach to help improve mood and alleviate anxiety symptoms.

Although medication can be effective, many people who seek Cognitive Therapy are trying to avoid the use of medication. For those who desire a combination of treatments with psychotherapy and drugs, we have a psychiatrist on staff who evaluates and prescribes the medications that are at the safest and most effective available.

Suggested Reading:Overcoming Depression: A Cognitive Therapy Approach for Taming the Depression BEAST: Client Manual by Mark Gilson, PhD and Arthur Freeman, EdD, Feeling Good, by David Burns, M.D., Mastery Over Anxiety & Panic by Barlow & Craske.

Call (404) 248-1159 about available appointment times and to see if your health plan covers our services.

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Relationship & Family Disorders

Our center provides problem focused treatments for Couples and Families. many times problems persist because of patterns or habits in a family or marriage that are not easily recognized by the people involved because "can't see the forest for the trees."

Cognitive Therapy helps you change the way you communicate with those you love so you can be heard as well as listen better. Family problems are many times more effectively dealt with if more than one family member can attend therapy sessions. If this is a direction that you want to take, you may discover things about yourself and those close to you that will allow for a better functioning life at home.

Suggested Reading: Love is Never Enough by Aaron T. Beck, M.D., Intimate Connections by David Burns, M.D., and Couple's Guide to Communication by Gottman, et.al.

Call (404) 248-1159 about available appointment times and to see if your health plan covers our services.

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Impulse and Conduct Problems

Our Center has a uniquely effective series of programs for adults and adolescents who get in trouble as a result of poor control over impulses such as anger, shoplifting, inappropriate sexual behavior, and lying. Often, Impulse Control problems lead to problems with the law. It is our belief that if a person is willing to seek or accept treatment, that they can change their problem behavior patterns. We do not believe there is something called an "irresistible urge" and this therapy seeks to aid in taking personal responsibility for unacceptable behavior. On staff is a psychophysiologist who uses the polygraph to help monitor compliance with treatment goals for some participants.

Atlanta Center for Cognitive Therapy works closely with the courts, probation, and state agencies. Our adolescent programs meets at Gwinnett County’s Justice Center and is sponsored by the Juvenile Court, underwritten by a state grant. This program also includes a parent education group.

Suggested Reading: 10 Days to Self Esteem by David Burns, M.D., Anger by Carol Tarvis.

Call (404)248-1159 about these programs, available appointment times, and to see if your health plan covers our services.

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Women's Issues
The Center offers a variety if treatment modalities and specialties which, although primarily address concerns of women, they also may be appropriate for men, significant others or spouses of the primary client.

• Addictions
  focuses on substance abuse
  
• Aging and Geriatric
  focuses on specific problems of aging including care for aging parents
  
• Developmental and Life Transitions
  focuses on healthy transitions through normal developmental phases, important life events and changes in career and relationship
  
• Dissociative Disorders
  focuses on developing non-dissociative coping skills, a cohesive identity and whole-self responsibility for safety and quality life
  
• Eating Disorders
  focuses on developing a healthy body image, anorexia, bulimia, compulsive overeating and maintaining healthy weight
  
• Impulse Control
  focuses on habitual problems of self control; sex, spending, anger, verbal and physical or sexual abuse
  
• Independence and Co-dependence
  focuses on developing more healthy self sufficiency and esteem
  
• Infertility and Adoptions
  focuses on emotional and decisional factors as well as generating options
  
• Lifestyle Changes
  focuses on stress reduction, physical and emotional wellness
  
• Menopause
  focuses on emotional factors and decisional factors regarding medical options
  
• Parenting
  focuses on development of skills necessary for raising emotionally healthy and responsible children
  
• Physical Abuse
  focuses on maintaining a safe environment as well as working through emotional effects from past abuse
  
• Sexual Abuse
  focuses on working through emotional effects of early as well as more current abuses such as sexual assault, harassment or rape

Call (404)248-1159 about available appointment times and to see if your health plan covers our services.

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Motivation and Work Related Problems
Procrastinating, avoidance, dissatisfaction, helplessness, and poor communication are just some of the problems that you may be experiencing if you are unhappy at work. If you own or manage a business and have employees that are not working effectively, you may be at your wits end to find ways to implement effective ways to change the environment.

You may be considering a career change and want to collaborate in an exploration of what you might be able to do next. Perhaps you are a student who is not sure what you will do with your life.

Cognitive Therapy is an effective way to focus your mental energy on discovering your potential and enhancing your abilities, as well as to recognize what you are unlikely to change. Take a proactive approach.

Suggested reading: Reinventing Your Life by Jeffrey Young, The Ten Dumbest Mistakes Smart People Make by Art Freeman and R. DeWolf.

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Addictive Behaviors

Alcohol, Drugs, and other types of substance abuses are not easily treated, but will probably lead to destruction or self and family if ignored. Caring and compassionate treatment is available at our Center.

Suggested Reading: Cognitive Therapy of Substance Abuse by Fred Wright & Aaron T. Beck

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