Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a treatment approach that has empirically demonstrated effectiveness with a wide variety of disorders including high incidence disorders such as depression and anxiety. CBT is a relatively brief, straightforward, and collaborative approach to psychotherapy, which includes multiple techniques, all intended to facilitate changes in thinking, behavior and mood.

CBT skills groups are educational therapeutic classes aimed at reducing problematic thinking styles and maladaptive behaviors that contribute to psychological distress. The Cognitive Behavior Therapy Program in the Adult Outpatient Clinic at Upstate Medical Center is offering 12-16 session groups for depression and anxiety disorders. Individual CBT is also available. In addition, the Virtual Reality Treatment Program offers a new human-computer interaction form of therapy for individuals with anxiety disorders due to fear of flying, heights, public speaking, enclosed spaces, and storms.

Training Programs in CBT

Intramural

• 6-8 month lecture series beginning every July available to faculty, psychiatry residents, fellows and psychology interns.
• Elective for PGY III, IV residents & psychology interns to co-lead CBT depression & anxiety groups.
• Individual supervision available to PGY III, IV psychiatry residents & psychology interns.
• Medical students may elect to observe CBT skills groups.

Extramural

Fee-based consultation and workshops to agencies & individuals who wish to incorporate CBT into their practice.

Faculty

Kevin Antshel, Ph.D.
Roger Greenberg, Ph.D.
Richard O’Neill, Ph.D.
Robbi Saletsky, Ph.D. (contact person)
Douglas Scaturo, Ph.D.
Robert S prafkin, Ph.D.
Paula Trief, Ph.D.