What if I need medication?

Emily Guttman, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and thus does not prescribe medication. However, she works closely with several local psychiatrists and would be happy to refer you to someone who could evaluate you for medication, manage your medication, and become a partner on your treatment team. 

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of treatment that focuses on examining the relationships between thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Clients learn specific skills that they can use for the rest of their lives. These skills involve identifying ineffective ways of thinking, modifying beliefs, relating to others in different ways, and changing behaviors.  In contrast to other forms of psychotherapy, CBT is usually more focused on the present, more time-limited, and more problem-solving oriented, with therapist and client working together as a team. CBT is one of the few forms of psychotherapy that has been scientifically tested and found to be effective in hundreds of clinical trials for many different disorders. Studies have shown that CBT actually changes brain activity in people who receive this treatment, suggesting that the brain is actually improving its functioning as a result of engaging in this form of therapy.

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), developed by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. at the University of Washington, is a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral treatment for a range of problems relating to emotion dysregulation, including substance use problems, eating disordered behavior, and anger-related problems. It is effective in treating symptoms such as interpersonal chaos, intense emotional swings, impulsiveness, confusion about the self (identity), self-harming behavior, and suicidal behavior. A great deal of research has been conducted on the effectiveness of DBT, and it appears as effective or more effective than other psychotherapies for the problems mentioned above. DBT is based on a bio-social theory that states that problems develop from the interaction of biological factors (physiological makeup) and environmental factors (learning history), which together create difficulty managing emotions. To reach the ultimate goal of DBT, creating a life worth living, the therapy balances empathy and warm acceptance (validation) with an unwavering focus on changing problem behavior (problem-solving). Through this balance, DBT aims to help change the behavioral, emotional, and thinking patterns associated with problems in living, while promoting the development of and reliance on inner wisdom (wise mind). 

FAQ

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is awareness, without judgment, of life as it is, yourself as you are, others as they are, in the here and now, via direct and immediate experience. When you are mindful, you are awake to life on its terms – fully alive to each moment as it arrives, as it is, and as it ends. Mindfulness is a skill that can be learned like any other. There is nothing mysterious about it. It’s like learning to ride a bike or cook or paint with watercolors or play a musical instrument. If you practice, your skill at mindfulness will improve. So what’s the practice? The practice of mindfulness is “the repetitive act of directing attention to only one thing in this one moment”. Research has shown that practicing mindfulness helps learning and memory, reduces stress, regulates emotion, increases happiness, and can improve physical health.

Contact

Emily Guttman, LCSW, LLC

Psychotherapy - Supervision - Training

Do you accept insurance?

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Emily Guttman, LCSW, LLC is an out-of-network provider. This means that we do not process insurance directly. We  provide you with a statement that you can use to request reimbursement from your insurance company if your plan includes out-of-network coverage. If you have questions about your coverage or want to know how much your insurance will reimburse you, it is best to call your insurance carrier directly. You will want to ask the reimbursement rate for out-of-network psychotherapy. We would be happy to assist you with this process.

Do you offer a sliding-scale fee?

Yes. Please give us a call at (203) 817-0797 to discuss your needs.