Gary Berkowitz PhD

Our first session will be an intake where I will assess your presenting problem and help you develop specific goals. I will describe the basic CBT strategies and introduce you to the physiologic issues related to prolonged stress. In subsequent sessions, we will use your recent experiences to drill down your irrational thoughts that drive your distress. I will introduce you to some basic relaxation techniques. I will not fix your problems but will help you to learn more effective coping skills for dealing with emotions and problems as they arise. I will assign homework at the end of the session, because you will be expected to practice if you want success.

I use Cognitive-Behavior Therapy as the basis for my treatment. That means that the sessions will help you to identify your core beliefs and to make changes to your thought and behavior habits. This can be challenging but also very rewarding. The key, as in learning any new skill, is regular practice. I also find that most patients do better when they learn and practice some form of deep relaxation. Our brains struggle with the overwhelming amount of stimulation that we are exposed to throughout the day, and it is usually necessary to lower your brain activity on a regular basis. There are many styles of relaxation training, and some will work better for you than others. Figuring that out will be part of the treatment, and again, regular practice is key.

• Pennsylvania, PhD, PS004997L