CBT/DBT Associates 1.6

Welcome to CBT/DBT Associates, a private psychology practice group in New York City dedicated to providing specialized care through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Under the directorship of Dr. Lisa A. Napolitano, our team comprises behaviorally trained psychologists who are committed to delivering high-quality, research-based therapeutic interventions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that addresses the interplay between thoughts, behaviors, and emotional responses that contribute to psychological distress or dissatisfaction in life. Through CBT, clients develop the skills necessary to identify and modify maladaptive cognitive patterns. This therapy has been empirically validated for various mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, addictions, compulsive behaviors, ADHD, and test anxiety. Typically structured as a time-limited intervention lasting between 10 to 20 sessions, CBT also emphasizes the importance of practice through homework exercises that facilitate the transfer of learned skills into everyday situations.

Our CBT Program

In our CBT program, therapists engage actively with clients to equip them with practical skills aimed at enhancing their current functioning. Individual therapy sessions are conducted weekly for 45 minutes at our Manhattan office. Clients are provided with tailored assignments—ranging from reading and writing tasks to behavioral activities—to ensure that the therapeutic insights gained during sessions are effectively integrated into their daily lives.

Depression

The efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in treating depression and anxiety disorders is well-documented. Numerous meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials affirm that Cognitive Therapy is effective for mild to moderate depression (Gloaguen et al., 1997). Research suggests that CBT may outperform pharmacological treatments and can serve as either a standalone intervention or a complementary approach alongside medications. In instances of chronic or severe depression, a combination of medication and CBT has been shown to yield beneficial outcomes (Parker et al., 2003). Furthermore, CBT is especially advantageous for individuals who are unable to tolerate medication, face drug-resistant depressive disorders, or involve children and adolescents where early prescriptions may be concerning (Parker et al., 2003).

The benefits of CBT often extend beyond the completion of treatment; studies indicate that it significantly diminishes the recurrence of depression within one to two years post-therapy (Gloaguen et al., 1997). A longitudinal study spanning six years found that patients experiencing recurrent depression who received CBT after pharmacotherapy had lower relapse rates compared to those who did not undergo CBT (Fava et al., 2004).

Anxiety Disorders

CBT is also effective in treating anxiety disorders through techniques such as cognitive restructuring, relaxation training, and well-being promotion strategies (Hollon et al., 2006). Whether applied independently or in conjunction with medication, CBT significantly reduces catastrophic thinking patterns among individuals with panic disorder and agoraphobia.

Evidence indicates that patients undergoing CBT are more likely to sustain therapeutic gains after treatment ends compared to those receiving medication alone. This trend has been observed across various anxiety-related conditions, including hypochondriasis, social phobia, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (Hollon et al., 2006).