Individual Therapy

Approach

I specialize in providing evidence-based treatment for anxiety, depression, and related disorders. As a cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapist, my approach is collaborative, individualized, and based on scientific evidence. CBT focuses on the relationship between one’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in everyday life. It is difficult to change our emotions directly. Therefore, by changing our thoughts and/or behaviors, one can change the way they experience difficult emotions. This approach is skills-based and relies on a collaborative relationship between the therapist and client. For the best outcomes, it is important to practice these skills in everyday life between sessions.

Age Ranges

I treat children, adolescents, and adults. In working with children, I involve parent’s in the therapy. During therapy I typically ask patients to complete between session practice.

Treatment Focus

Mood Disorders, including:
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (e.g., chronic depression)
Anxiety Disorders, including:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Separation Anxiety Disorder
- Specific Phobias
- Panic Disorder/Agoraphobia
Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorders, including:
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Tic Disorders (i.e., Tourette's)
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Stress-related problems (e.g., difficult life transitions, family stressors, relationship issues)

Comprehensive Evaluations

Psychological, Psychoeducational, and Neuropsychological Evaluations

I offer comprehensive evaluation services to address a verity of difficulties during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Testing typically includes an assessment of intelligence/cognitive abilities, academic skills and functioning, executive functioning, and social/ emotional/ behavioral functioning.

Common reasons that parents request an evaluation are:

To identify diagnoses such as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Determine the presence of a learning disability (e.g., reading, writing, mathematics)

Learn about learning styles, areas of strengths, and areas for improvement

Understand if social/emotional functioning may impact their behaviors or academic/work performance.

As part of testing, I provide recommendations that can be used at school or at home, and are often necessary to receive additional services in school (e.g., IEP, 504 plan, testing accommodations).

I also conduct:

Admissions testing - required by many private schools in the area or for appropriate academic placement, this evaluation is often focused on the school’s requirements and provides an overview of a child’s innate strengths.

Focused ADHD evaluations – comprehensive assessment of symptoms associated with a diagnosis of ADHD, and an examination of other factors that may impact these symptoms.

Parent consultations – conduct clinical/diagnostic interview with parents to determine what, if any, services could be helpful for your child, and provide strategies to use in the home environment.

Please see the FAQ section for commonly asked questions.

Benjamin Shapero PhD