Bipolar Disorder Treatment Centers in Gaithersburg, MD
Successful addiction and alcoholism treatment for those unable to attend residential rehab centers. The Freedom Center is an intensive outpatient program covering all types of drug and alcohol addiction that offers a flexible and affordable solution that has the ability to change the lives of those suffering in addiction. During outpatient treatment, clients receive therapy while continuing other life responsibilities like school, work or family responsibilities; and unlike residential programs, at The Freedom House, the client has the ability to live at home or in a sober living environment. Unlike many traditional rehab centers, our goal is to treat all of the underlying causes of addiction effectively, including trauma and mental health conditions.
Successful addiction and alcoholism treatment for those unable to attend residential rehab centers. The Freedom Center is an intensive outpatient program covering all types of drug and alcohol addiction that offers a flexible and affordable solution that has the ability to change the lives of those suffering in addiction. During outpatient treatment, clients receive therapy while continuing other life responsibilities like school, work or family responsibilities; and unlike residential programs, at The Freedom House, the client has the ability to live at home or in a sober living environment. Unlike many traditional rehab centers, our goal is to treat all of the underlying causes of addiction effectively, including trauma and mental health conditions.
Located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Inspire Behavioral Health, Inc is an Outpatient Mental Health Clinic for Adults, Children & Adolescents that provides comprehensive behavioral health services. We are a team of dedicated behavioral health treatment providers and are committed to providing excellent health care services outside the walls of hospitals. We provide a safe and confidential space for anyone seeking treatment. Our comprehensive outpatient care focuses on patients across the state whose conditions do not require a hospital stay or those who have completed their stay but need follow-up care. Our specialized individual mental health treatments will support you on your journey to wellness.
Located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Inspire Behavioral Health, Inc is an Outpatient Mental Health Clinic for Adults, Children & Adolescents that provides comprehensive behavioral health services. We are a team of dedicated behavioral health treatment providers and are committed to providing excellent health care services outside the walls of hospitals. We provide a safe and confidential space for anyone seeking treatment. Our comprehensive outpatient care focuses on patients across the state whose conditions do not require a hospital stay or those who have completed their stay but need follow-up care. Our specialized individual mental health treatments will support you on your journey to wellness.
TruHealing Gaithersburg - Outpatient Program
Treatment Center
Verified Verified
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
TruHealing Gaithersburg (formerly Fresh Start Recovery Center) is committed to helping you achieve and maintain long term recovery. Our main services are outpatient treatment for primary mental health disorders and co-occurring disorders. We provide high quality outpatient services in an intimate and individualized setting, where you will feel right at home. Our goal is to provide an optimum healing opportunity for each individual. Individuals struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues face many challenges.
TruHealing Gaithersburg (formerly Fresh Start Recovery Center) is committed to helping you achieve and maintain long term recovery. Our main services are outpatient treatment for primary mental health disorders and co-occurring disorders. We provide high quality outpatient services in an intimate and individualized setting, where you will feel right at home. Our goal is to provide an optimum healing opportunity for each individual. Individuals struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues face many challenges.
SunCloud Health Outpatient Treatment Center
Treatment Center
Verified Verified
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
If you're in search of an evidence-supported outpatient clinic that not only treats you as an individual, but also focuses on your behaviors and core concerns, then SunCloud Health could be an ideal choice. We offer varying levels of care to suit your needs, including Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). These programs provide structured, yet flexible treatment to accommodate your life while providing the care you need. Under the guidance of Dr. Kim Dennis and Dr. Eleanor Annan, our experienced team is proficient at managing co-occurring conditions such as substance use disorders, eating disorders, mood and personality disorders, PTSD, and trauma. We understand that trauma often forms the basis of many harmful behaviors we address. We specialize in the holistic treatment of these disorders, which includes addressing the medical, environmental, and behavioral aspects of these conditions. We are committed to providing integrated care that truly meets the needs of each person we serve.
If you're in search of an evidence-supported outpatient clinic that not only treats you as an individual, but also focuses on your behaviors and core concerns, then SunCloud Health could be an ideal choice. We offer varying levels of care to suit your needs, including Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). These programs provide structured, yet flexible treatment to accommodate your life while providing the care you need. Under the guidance of Dr. Kim Dennis and Dr. Eleanor Annan, our experienced team is proficient at managing co-occurring conditions such as substance use disorders, eating disorders, mood and personality disorders, PTSD, and trauma. We understand that trauma often forms the basis of many harmful behaviors we address. We specialize in the holistic treatment of these disorders, which includes addressing the medical, environmental, and behavioral aspects of these conditions. We are committed to providing integrated care that truly meets the needs of each person we serve.
A Village Wellness Center, accredited by The Joint Commission and licensed in Maryland, offers transformative mental wellness support for minors (12+) and adults. Specializing in managing psychotic, mood, depressive, and anxiety disorders, we provide a nurturing environment through our Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Our skilled staff delivers personalized, holistic care, complementing therapy or aiding post-crisis recovery. Our programs focus on enhancing functionality, empowering clients to thrive emotionally and in their living situations. We utilize evidence-based modalities for symptom management and conduct workshops to develop coping strategies and life skills. With up to six monthly direct care visits for adults and three for minors, we facilitate smoother community integration, aiming for practical living and emotional well-being. Please note that for PRP we require referrals from a Clinician. IOP will take private insurance and medicaid.
A Village Wellness Center, accredited by The Joint Commission and licensed in Maryland, offers transformative mental wellness support for minors (12+) and adults. Specializing in managing psychotic, mood, depressive, and anxiety disorders, we provide a nurturing environment through our Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Our skilled staff delivers personalized, holistic care, complementing therapy or aiding post-crisis recovery. Our programs focus on enhancing functionality, empowering clients to thrive emotionally and in their living situations. We utilize evidence-based modalities for symptom management and conduct workshops to develop coping strategies and life skills. With up to six monthly direct care visits for adults and three for minors, we facilitate smoother community integration, aiming for practical living and emotional well-being. Please note that for PRP we require referrals from a Clinician. IOP will take private insurance and medicaid.
We know how difficult it can be to see your son or daughter struggling with severe mental health issues like anxiety, depression or suicidal ideation. Our partial hospitalization programs (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP) in Rockville, Maryland are designed to support adolescents and teens ages 12-17 facing these challenges. Our IOPs and PHPs provide flexible treatment that fits into your teen’s and family’s life, offering the intensive support they need while staying connected to home, school and family.
We know how difficult it can be to see your son or daughter struggling with severe mental health issues like anxiety, depression or suicidal ideation. Our partial hospitalization programs (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP) in Rockville, Maryland are designed to support adolescents and teens ages 12-17 facing these challenges. Our IOPs and PHPs provide flexible treatment that fits into your teen’s and family’s life, offering the intensive support they need while staying connected to home, school and family.
TruHealing Baltimore (formerly Foundations Recovery Center) is committed to helping you achieve and maintain long term recovery. We provide outpatient services in an intimate and individualized setting. Our goal is to provide healing to each individual, in a safe, secure environment. We offer a unique perspective in helping individuals heal from the disease of addiction and make a lasting recovery. Our compassionate staff understands where clients are coming from because many on our team are in recovery themselves. Thus, they see the challenges facing clients and can offer them just the right support through our partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs. Our perspectives and professional expertise paired with our comprehensive therapeutic services mean that when individuals come to us, they can heal and change their life for the better.
TruHealing Baltimore (formerly Foundations Recovery Center) is committed to helping you achieve and maintain long term recovery. We provide outpatient services in an intimate and individualized setting. Our goal is to provide healing to each individual, in a safe, secure environment. We offer a unique perspective in helping individuals heal from the disease of addiction and make a lasting recovery. Our compassionate staff understands where clients are coming from because many on our team are in recovery themselves. Thus, they see the challenges facing clients and can offer them just the right support through our partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs. Our perspectives and professional expertise paired with our comprehensive therapeutic services mean that when individuals come to us, they can heal and change their life for the better.
Sandstone Care Teen & Young Adult Treatment Center
Treatment Center
Verified Verified
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Sandstone Care provides substance use, addiction, and mental health treatment for young adults (ages 18 to 30) and adolescents (ages 13 to 18) including Residential Treatment, Day Treatment (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and General Outpatient (OP) programming.
Sandstone Care provides substance use, addiction, and mental health treatment for young adults (ages 18 to 30) and adolescents (ages 13 to 18) including Residential Treatment, Day Treatment (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and General Outpatient (OP) programming.
At Newport Academy, we know that treatment financing can make all the difference in receiving quality treatment. To that end, we promote collaborative relationships with all healthcare payers to optimize the benefit coverage for families in need. We accept all major insurance, and up to 100 percent of our services are covered. Our goal is to partner with insurers to address the adolescent and young adult mental health crisis, by reaching more families and helping them achieve sustainable recovery. If you’re interested in exploring the possibility of treatment at Newport Academy for your loved one’s mental health, behavioral health, or substance abuse issues, we can begin the insurance verification process immediately. Furthermore, we are happy to obtain your insurance policy information and seek verification on your behalf. You can also expedite this process by completing the insurance verification form on our website. There is no obligation to either Newport Academy or to your insurance provider.
At Newport Academy, we know that treatment financing can make all the difference in receiving quality treatment. To that end, we promote collaborative relationships with all healthcare payers to optimize the benefit coverage for families in need. We accept all major insurance, and up to 100 percent of our services are covered. Our goal is to partner with insurers to address the adolescent and young adult mental health crisis, by reaching more families and helping them achieve sustainable recovery. If you’re interested in exploring the possibility of treatment at Newport Academy for your loved one’s mental health, behavioral health, or substance abuse issues, we can begin the insurance verification process immediately. Furthermore, we are happy to obtain your insurance policy information and seek verification on your behalf. You can also expedite this process by completing the insurance verification form on our website. There is no obligation to either Newport Academy or to your insurance provider.
Sandstone Care Teen & Young Adult Treatment Center
Treatment Center
Verified Verified
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Sandstone Care provides substance use, addiction, and mental health treatment for young adults (ages 18 to 30) and adolescents (ages 13 to 18) including Residential Treatment, Day Treatment (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and General Outpatient (OP) programming.
Sandstone Care provides substance use, addiction, and mental health treatment for young adults (ages 18 to 30) and adolescents (ages 13 to 18) including Residential Treatment, Day Treatment (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and General Outpatient (OP) programming.
Barbara Harrison is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, a Certified Advanced Practice Addiction Registered Nurse and a Maryland State approved Substance Abuse Supervisor. Ms. Harrison is Certified in: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT) and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT). She is a member of the International Nurses Society on Addictions, the American Nurses Association, the Maryland Nurses Association, and is a Member if the Montgomery County Local Behavioral Health Authority Provider Council. She Specializes in working with individuals, families, and Groups in the treatment of mental health.
Barbara Harrison is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, a Certified Advanced Practice Addiction Registered Nurse and a Maryland State approved Substance Abuse Supervisor. Ms. Harrison is Certified in: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT) and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT). She is a member of the International Nurses Society on Addictions, the American Nurses Association, the Maryland Nurses Association, and is a Member if the Montgomery County Local Behavioral Health Authority Provider Council. She Specializes in working with individuals, families, and Groups in the treatment of mental health.
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Sandstone Care Teen Residential Treatment Center
Treatment Center
Verified Verified
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Sandstone Care provides substance use, addiction, and mental health treatment for adolescents (ages 13 to 18) including Residential Treatment, Day Treatment (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and General Outpatient (OP) programming.
Sandstone Care provides substance use, addiction, and mental health treatment for adolescents (ages 13 to 18) including Residential Treatment, Day Treatment (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and General Outpatient (OP) programming.
Metropolitan Counseling Associates
Treatment Center
Not Verified Not Verified
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
Metropolitan Counseling Associates is an interdisciplinary practice that provides comprehensive evaluation, treatment, educational and community based services for children, adolescents, and adults. Our mission is to offer our clients access to a wide range of outstanding mental health and educational services in a single collaborative environment. What began as a shared philosophy of practice is now a thriving mental health system that has helped thousands of individuals and families heal and create sustainable change.
Metropolitan Counseling Associates is an interdisciplinary practice that provides comprehensive evaluation, treatment, educational and community based services for children, adolescents, and adults. Our mission is to offer our clients access to a wide range of outstanding mental health and educational services in a single collaborative environment. What began as a shared philosophy of practice is now a thriving mental health system that has helped thousands of individuals and families heal and create sustainable change.
Our Comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) residential treatment center in L.A. is perfect for teens and children ages 12-17 who struggle with mental or behavioral health, substance use, and dual diagnosis. Dialectical Behavior Therapy has a high success rate with substance use, depression, anxiety, high emotional sensitivity, self-harm, and/or suicidal behaviors. Our program incorporates all four requirements of a formal Comprehensive-DBT program: individual/family therapy, 24/7 in-the-moment skills coaching, skills training groups, and weekly staff consultation team. For out-of-state families, we conduct family therapy sessions via HIPAA-compliant video conference. In our skills-training groups, teens learn the four core skill-sets of DBT: Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness, & Distress Tolerance. Adolescents benefit from psychiatric supervision, academic support, and experiential therapies: equine, surf, drama, music, art, yoga and more. While our primary modality is DBT, we also incorporate CBT, 12-Step, Relapse Prevention, PTSD treatment, and other evidence-based modalities depending on your teen or child’s clinical needs.
Our Comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) residential treatment center in L.A. is perfect for teens and children ages 12-17 who struggle with mental or behavioral health, substance use, and dual diagnosis. Dialectical Behavior Therapy has a high success rate with substance use, depression, anxiety, high emotional sensitivity, self-harm, and/or suicidal behaviors. Our program incorporates all four requirements of a formal Comprehensive-DBT program: individual/family therapy, 24/7 in-the-moment skills coaching, skills training groups, and weekly staff consultation team. For out-of-state families, we conduct family therapy sessions via HIPAA-compliant video conference. In our skills-training groups, teens learn the four core skill-sets of DBT: Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness, & Distress Tolerance. Adolescents benefit from psychiatric supervision, academic support, and experiential therapies: equine, surf, drama, music, art, yoga and more. While our primary modality is DBT, we also incorporate CBT, 12-Step, Relapse Prevention, PTSD treatment, and other evidence-based modalities depending on your teen or child’s clinical needs.
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The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center
Treatment Center, MS, LMHC, CAP
Verified Verified
Potomac, MD 20854
The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center is a brand new, world-class behavioral health treatment center founded by widely recognized thought-leaders in mental health and substance abuse disorders. We put those who suffer on a path to thriving in all areas of life through uniquely tailored clinical, spiritual, and psychiatric support. We are primarily focused on mental health, while also specializing in addiction treatment. Our co-founders Ben Brafman and Jaime Blaustein are regarded as thought-leaders in behavioral health; they are hands-on experts who combine clinical knowledge and practical experience. Ben Brafman was the CEO and founder of Destination Hope, a premier addiction treatment center in Florida, where he met Jaime Blaustein, an addict who attended Ben's treatment center at 21 years old. Jaime went on to recover at 24 years old, sponsor many men, receive his MBA at Duke University, and enter Wall Street as an investment banker. Our approach is passionate and authentic; our treatment design and dynamic is real and genuine, not a cookie-cutter approach. Lastly, we are small and intimate - focused on family, community, and human connection.
The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center is a brand new, world-class behavioral health treatment center founded by widely recognized thought-leaders in mental health and substance abuse disorders. We put those who suffer on a path to thriving in all areas of life through uniquely tailored clinical, spiritual, and psychiatric support. We are primarily focused on mental health, while also specializing in addiction treatment. Our co-founders Ben Brafman and Jaime Blaustein are regarded as thought-leaders in behavioral health; they are hands-on experts who combine clinical knowledge and practical experience. Ben Brafman was the CEO and founder of Destination Hope, a premier addiction treatment center in Florida, where he met Jaime Blaustein, an addict who attended Ben's treatment center at 21 years old. Jaime went on to recover at 24 years old, sponsor many men, receive his MBA at Duke University, and enter Wall Street as an investment banker. Our approach is passionate and authentic; our treatment design and dynamic is real and genuine, not a cookie-cutter approach. Lastly, we are small and intimate - focused on family, community, and human connection.
A Quiet Journey Counseling & Associates
Treatment Center, MS, LCPC
Verified Verified
Rockville, MD 20850
Are you struggling with depression, anxiety or panic attacks? Are there issues in your life that require you to effectively manage your anger or cope with a pending life transition? Is there a deep seeded trauma you wish you could resolve? Are you questioning your sexual identity? Or perhaps you are struggling to recover from the grief and loss of someone that meant the world to you. Our team of licensed professionals are here to help! A Quiet Journey Counseling & Associates is proud to offer a range of services that will help you achieve your goals, manage good health and bring about well being. Our team of licensed professionals are ready to accompany you on your personal journey, all in the comfort of a safe, supportive and confidential environment. Home bound, too far away, no one to watch the kids or just unable to come to us? No worries, we can come to you or we can employ technology assisted venues to deliver your services. Give us a call and let's take the first step together.
Are you struggling with depression, anxiety or panic attacks? Are there issues in your life that require you to effectively manage your anger or cope with a pending life transition? Is there a deep seeded trauma you wish you could resolve? Are you questioning your sexual identity? Or perhaps you are struggling to recover from the grief and loss of someone that meant the world to you. Our team of licensed professionals are here to help! A Quiet Journey Counseling & Associates is proud to offer a range of services that will help you achieve your goals, manage good health and bring about well being. Our team of licensed professionals are ready to accompany you on your personal journey, all in the comfort of a safe, supportive and confidential environment. Home bound, too far away, no one to watch the kids or just unable to come to us? No worries, we can come to you or we can employ technology assisted venues to deliver your services. Give us a call and let's take the first step together.
Our team of professionals includes adult psychiatrists, child and adolescent psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and therapists who merge a broad range of skills, knowledge and sensitivity to create a customized treatment plan tailored to each individual's and family's needs. We work as a team to determine why a client is struggling and offer a distinctive, multidisciplinary approach to care.
Our team of professionals includes adult psychiatrists, child and adolescent psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and therapists who merge a broad range of skills, knowledge and sensitivity to create a customized treatment plan tailored to each individual's and family's needs. We work as a team to determine why a client is struggling and offer a distinctive, multidisciplinary approach to care.
Located in Rockville, Silver Spring and Bethesda, Cornerstone Montgomery's Outpatient Mental Health Clinics serve clients 12 years and older in Montgomery County Maryland. We specialize in the treatment of Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Psychotic Disorders and Co-Occurring disorders including substance use. Our team of therapists, nurse practicioners, and psychiatrists provide full psychosocial evaluations, treatment planning, individual, group and family therapy and medication management, tailoring treatment to each clients' individual needs.
Located in Rockville, Silver Spring and Bethesda, Cornerstone Montgomery's Outpatient Mental Health Clinics serve clients 12 years and older in Montgomery County Maryland. We specialize in the treatment of Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Psychotic Disorders and Co-Occurring disorders including substance use. Our team of therapists, nurse practicioners, and psychiatrists provide full psychosocial evaluations, treatment planning, individual, group and family therapy and medication management, tailoring treatment to each clients' individual needs.
Sandstone Care provides substance use and co-occurring mental health treatment for young adults (ages 18 to 30) and adolescents (ages 13 to 18) including Residential, Day Treatment (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and General Outpatient (OP) programming. We utilize evidence-based practices and take an integrated approach to care which is customized for the needs of each individual, addressing not only the substance use or addiction issues, but also any underlying mental health conditions (co-occurring disorders). In addition to substance abuse and co-occurring disorder treatment, we work with the whole ecosystem of an individual by providing academic & vocational support prior to every group session, weekly multi-family group sessions, weekly individual sessions, and participation in community events. Sandstone Care is state licensed and accepts most insurance providers. In addition, Sandstone Care is fully accredited by The Joint Commission for substance abuse and dual-diagnosis treatment. For more information, please visit www.SandstoneCare.com.
Sandstone Care provides substance use and co-occurring mental health treatment for young adults (ages 18 to 30) and adolescents (ages 13 to 18) including Residential, Day Treatment (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and General Outpatient (OP) programming. We utilize evidence-based practices and take an integrated approach to care which is customized for the needs of each individual, addressing not only the substance use or addiction issues, but also any underlying mental health conditions (co-occurring disorders). In addition to substance abuse and co-occurring disorder treatment, we work with the whole ecosystem of an individual by providing academic & vocational support prior to every group session, weekly multi-family group sessions, weekly individual sessions, and participation in community events. Sandstone Care is state licensed and accepts most insurance providers. In addition, Sandstone Care is fully accredited by The Joint Commission for substance abuse and dual-diagnosis treatment. For more information, please visit www.SandstoneCare.com.
The Dorm - Young Adult IOP Treatment Community
Treatment Center, LICSW
Verified Verified
Potomac, MD 20854
The Dorm is an affirming, CARF-Accredited young adult intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) community in Washington, D.C. on a mission to help young people build a life of independence. We serve young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 with immersive day and evening services that include clinical therapies, practical skill-building and community support. We specialize in treating substance use, trauma, anxiety and depressive disorders, eating disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorders and supporting with executive function deficits. Personalized treatment plans scale from 3-30+ hours a week following expert assessment. Comprehensive care encompasses 1:1 therapy (licensed clinicians trained in over 11 clinical modalities including DBT, CBT, EMDR and Cognitive Remediation), individualized life skills coaching, group therapy, family therapy, nutritional support with registered dietitians, academic and vocational services, a unique community clubhouse experience with social activities and events as well as holistic health and wellness services (yoga, mindfulness, physical fitness). Supportive housing opportunities and partial residential support available.
The Dorm is an affirming, CARF-Accredited young adult intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) community in Washington, D.C. on a mission to help young people build a life of independence. We serve young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 with immersive day and evening services that include clinical therapies, practical skill-building and community support. We specialize in treating substance use, trauma, anxiety and depressive disorders, eating disorders, psychotic disorders, personality disorders and supporting with executive function deficits. Personalized treatment plans scale from 3-30+ hours a week following expert assessment. Comprehensive care encompasses 1:1 therapy (licensed clinicians trained in over 11 clinical modalities including DBT, CBT, EMDR and Cognitive Remediation), individualized life skills coaching, group therapy, family therapy, nutritional support with registered dietitians, academic and vocational services, a unique community clubhouse experience with social activities and events as well as holistic health and wellness services (yoga, mindfulness, physical fitness). Supportive housing opportunities and partial residential support available.
See more therapy options for Gaithersburg
Bipolar Disorder Treatment Centers
What is the most successful approach to treating bipolar disorder?
Living with bipolar disorder can be challenging, and a number of therapies have been found effective in providing support to patients as they gain the skills to understand and manage the disorder. Family-focused therapy is often helpful for children and teens (the majority of cases develop before age 19); it aims to minimize mood cycling by improving family communication and reducing conflict. It also helps young people navigate the developmental challenges the disorder can create. Cognitive and behavioral therapy (CBT) and variants such as Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)help patients manage the thoughts and feelings that influence bipolar mood swings as well as develop specific behavioral strategies to counteract them.
What happens in therapy for bipolar disorder?
Because the patterns of mood switching and its triggers differ for each person and can change over time, mood tracking or monitoring becomes a basic way patients learn about the nature of their condition. One of the most common features of therapy is finding a workable method of mood monitoring, in which patients track their daily activities and rate their moods, then use the findings to adjust routines accordingly. Patients learn ways of handling the many stresses that arise in life so that they do not trigger mood swings.
What kinds of problems does therapy help with?
Like many other mental health disorders, BPD is heavily influenced by stress; therapy provides skills for coping with stressors of all kinds. Therapy is extremely important for helping individuals identify the situations that may trigger mood switching, so that mood swings can be prevented. Therapy may especially target recognition of the early stages of mood change so that they can be managed. In addition, therapy helps patients deal with the significant amount of turbulence the disorder can create in relationships and in work life.
What is the goal of therapy for bipolar disorder?
Therapy helps patients set up their lives to maintain stability so that their mood isn’t constantly threatened by daily events. Perhaps the first task of therapy is to educate people about the nature of the disorder. At the same time, a primary goal of therapy is to enhance adherence to drug treatment. Extended periods of mood stability can prompt patients to discontinue medication, triggering relapse, while the early phases of manic episodes can feel so energizing that patients stop medication, ushering in full-blown mania and the altered self-perception that can lead to destructive behaviors. Another major goal of therapy is to understand one’s mood patterns so as to minimize both the frequency and intensity of mood cycling.