At Dr. Mary Carnesale Gallagher, Psychologist, PLLC, we draw flexibly from a range of evidence-based approaches to create a treatment plan that addresses each person's unique needs. Our style is straightforward, genuine, and change-oriented, while also being compassionate, nonjudgmental, and emotionally engaged.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy used to treat a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and OCD. CBT is generally a short-term, present-focused, and structured treatment. The primary focus is to notice and examine what you are thinking, feeling, and doing, and learn skills to develop healthier patterns of thinking and behaving. Within the CBT framework, we also offer Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a specialized evidence-based treatment for OCD and anxiety disorders that involves gradually facing feared thoughts, situations, or objects while resisting the urge to engage in avoidance, safety, or compulsive behaviors.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy created by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. originally to treat individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). It has since been modified for children and adolescents and shown to be effective for a wide range of psychological problems, including eating disorders, substance abuse, and PTSD. DBT is a skills-based approach for individuals experiencing intense and overwhelming emotions, teaching skills to tolerate distress, manage emotions, stay present, and improve relationships. We do not offer comprehensive DBT or group skills training; however, we provide DBT-informed treatment and can collaborate with other clinicians and practices who provide DBT skills groups when appropriate.
Mindfulness:
Mindfulness techniques are incorporated throughout both CBT and DBT. Mindfulness involves staying in the present moment, on purpose, without judgment — noticing your emotions, thoughts, and sensations without becoming overwhelmed by them. We also offer Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a program developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn that has been shown to be effective for anxiety, stress, insomnia, and depression.
SPACE Therapy:
SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) is a parent-based treatment program created by Dr. Eli Lebowitz, shown to be efficacious for the treatment of anxiety disorders and OCD in children and adolescents. In SPACE, parents or caregivers participate in treatment and learn how to change their own responses to their child's anxiety — the child does not attend treatment in most cases. The result of a successful treatment is a child with reduced anxiety and higher functioning.
Trauma Treatment:
We offer several evidence-based approaches for the treatment of trauma and PTSD. Prolonged Exposure (PE) is a CBT-based treatment that helps clients gradually confront trauma-related memories and situations they have been avoiding. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) focuses on identifying and challenging unhelpful thoughts and beliefs related to the traumatic experience. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps clients process distressing memories through guided bilateral stimulation, and unlike traditional talk therapy, does not require clients to discuss their experiences in detail. Your clinician will work with you to determine which approach is the best fit for your needs.