Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the first-line treatment for mood and behavior-related problems like depression and anxiety. CBT deals with the connection between our thoughts (cognitions), feelings, and behaviors. When we are feeling down, our brain automatically generates negative thoughts. For example, when we feel shy, we think: "what if other people do not like me? or what if people are judging me? Then, we avoid social situation. The tools and strategies used in CBT can provide you a major relief from burdening emotions and self-defeating beliefs. CBT is a structured therapeutic modality. Your goals and the treatment plan will serve as a road map to your recovery with minimal distructions. ​​To learn how to change your thinking and utilize tools to help you feel empowered​ Depression Depression should not be treated as a minor nuisance. Depression severity can range from a low negative mood or somewhat accessive irritability to a life-threatening condition. When we feel depressed we tend to think in terms of absolute, black-and-white thinking. We believe that there is something wrong with us, with others, or with the world. We draw conclusions that leads us to think less of ourselves and get caught in a cycle of self-loathing and shame. These negative thoughts feel real even though we have no evidence to back them up. CBT is a collaborative approach, and the techniques and strategies used in CBT are highly efficient. Learning new life skills and changing the way you think will change your life. As a CBT therapist, I have powerful tools to break this thinking pattern and help you feel happy, worthy, and connected to others. When severe symptoms are present, patients might benefit from psychopharmacological intervention in addition to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for depression and anxiety disorders. Anxiety Anxiety is a state of fear or terror that interferes with your daily functions. That fear or anxiety is difficult to endure, and you might find yourself avoiding places and situations that might trigger that state. Our avoidant behavior gives legitimacy for our anxiety to grow, and people who struggle with anxiety get stuck in a cycle of avoidant behavior that makes their anxiety worst. Anxiety-related disorders include panic attacks, phobias, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), social anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and more. When anxiety symptoms interfere with daily functions, it is important to get help and work on skills that would help you live anxiety free.​ Trauma & Prolonged Exposure Trauma is an emotional and psychological response to a distressing event that is life-threatening or could cause serious injury, including exposure to violence that is physical, emotional, or sexual. Trauma can be experienced immediately or can have a delayed onset. It often evokes feelings of guilt and regret and can cause psychological disturbances like anxiety and depression. Prolonged Exposure (PE) is an evidence-based treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It helps process the trauma and reduce trauma-related psychological disturbances. ​ Prolonged Exposure for PTSD (Youtube)​ ​ Click here to schedule a free 20-minute consultation; we can discuss your unique situation and how we may be able to work together. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety-related disorder where a person experiences intrusive, unwanted, and distressing reoccurring thoughts (obsessions). Obsessions can also present as pervasive doubts, leaving one in an intolerable state of uncertainty. The attempt to stop the distress leads to ritualistic behavior, also known as compulsions. Pure 'O' is a term for people who experience obsessions but seem to have no compulsions. In other words, no physical actions taken to reduce the distress. Nonetheless, having no compulsions is rare, and pure 'O' clients often engage in mental compulsion/rituals. For example, mental counting, or repeating mentally some word over and over to make the discomfort stop. PANDAS is a Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder associated with Streptococcal Infection in children (even when Asymptomatic). It is characterized by a sudden flair of OCD symptoms and/or a sudden flair of Tics. PANDAS symptoms best treated with anti-inflammatory medication prescribed by the child's pediatrician. OCD affects both adults and children and can be debilitating and time-consuming. Exposure Response Prevention (ERP, or EX/RP) is the most evident base treatment for OCD. During ERP, cleints learns to resist the urge to compulse and thereby, reduces both obsessions and compulsions. Selective Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) can also reduce OCD symptoms and is sometimes used in conjunction with ERP. (SSRIs' are prescribed medication that could be provided by your primary physician or psychiatrist). ​ Click here to schedule a free 20-minute consultation; we can discuss your unique situation and how we may be able to work together. Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) is a treatment of choice for various anxiety-related disorders and the first line treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Using ERP, I help my clients expand their window of stress tolerance. How does ERP work? Once you are ready to start ERP, we will list and rank your fears based on a measured report. We will then collaboratively decide which fear you are ready to let-go-of. We will work on conquering one fear at the time. Your input will help us determine the right "dosage" of the exposure. In other wards, we will collaboratively conclude how much exposure is enough for you. After practicing with me in session, you will practice daily exposures on-your-own. The more you practice, the better your will get! With the support of the ERP therapist, clients learn to A) expand their ability to cope with the distress. And B) restrain their need to respond to the urge with rituals or avoidance. Facing your anxiety instead of avoiding it is key in treating any type-of anxiety, and you will be able to see that this monster has no teeth. Child and Adolescent Therapy Just like adults, children are also affected by anxiety and Depression. A depressed child may act irritable, struggle with low self-esteem, and lack motivation. An anxious child may display excessive worry, perfectionism, and disproportional shyness. I have powerful tools to help you and your child cope with such challenging emotions. A healthy parent-child bond is an important piece of children's mental health. I, therefore, employ skill training and psychoeducation for parents as part of the treatment plan. I further use the Supporting Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) treatment modality to help reduce anxiety-related disorders in children. ​ Contact me to discuss potential options for you and your child's unique situation.​ SPACE Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE),​ is an evidence-based treatment modality that addresses a variety of anxiety disorders in children and young adults. Using SPACE we examine parental accessive support as a factor sustaining the child's maladaptive behavior. Supporting a child in distress is something that every good parent does. As a SPACE-certified clinician, I will help you attend to your child's emotional and developmental needs without nurturing their anxiety. ​ what is SPACE treatment? (Youtube) ​ Breaking Free of Anxiety - A Journey Through SPACE (Youtube) ​ Book Your Free Consultation Today!

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for children and adults Practice Policies I normally see clients once a week. Sessions are 50 minutes long. Bi-weekly sessions might be recommended for a limited time to boost your skills. Intensives available! You can save yourself the hassle of going to therapy for weeks by attending a weekend intensive. Intensives consolidate several hours of therapy into a day or two over a weekend. Click here to schedule an intensive. Sliding scale available for those who qualify Accepted forms of payment are checks, credit cards, and Health Spending Account (HSA) I do not take insurance. Please ask your insurance provider about out-of-network coverage Missed appointments and late cancellations delay the progress of our work. Canceling without 24-hour notice may entail payment of a full session fee. Book your Free Consultation Today! The Approach I offer my clients a highly effective treatment modality developed by Dr. David Burns, a psychiatrist and emeritus professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. TEAM-CBT has successfully provided a rapid recovery from issues concerning mood, anxiety, and relationship problems. ​ What is TEAM? TEAM is an acronym for Testing, Empathy, Assessment of resistance, and Methods. ​ T – Testing . In the same way that your physician checks your temperature, blood pressure, and body weigh, I use psychological measures for a more accurate evaluation of your mood. I use a standard measure to collect information concerning your emotional state. That includes level of happiness, anxiety, safety, anger, and the quality of relationships with your loves ones. Our relationship with others can be a source of happiness or grief, and is therefore, to count for when evaluating one's mood. ​ E – Empathy . Earning my clients' trust is the most humbling and yet, the rewarding aspect of my work. Empathy is the foundation for successful therapy. I care for you to feel understood, connected, seen, and cared for. No therapy would have the desired effect without this step. ​ ​ A – Assessment of resistance. Many of us seek change and yet, fear it. We want it, but as we get closer we become a little unsure. At times, we want the change to be done by someone else, as it is their behavior that is the problem. Assessment of resistance helps us understand what you really want and assess how much work you are willing to put in for the best possible results. M – Methods. Methods are the tools we will use to crush your challenging thoughts, hopefully for good. Although there are over 100 tools, we only need to find one or two that work the best for you. Different methods are used for different problems and different personalities. ​ Exposure treatment is usually the method of choice for treating anxiety-related problems. There are different types of exposure treatment. You can read about it in the treatment page . ​ Contact me today to learn more about how the TEAM-CBT approach can assist you

Specializing in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for anxiety and depression . I am a clinical psychologist and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy specialist. I implement highly effective therapeutic modalities for the treatment of anxiety and mood-related disorders in children and adults. As a licensed clinical psychologist, I am here to help YOU live a better life—through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I work collaboratively with my clients to help them overcome depression, anxiety, and restore to health stressful relationships with loved ones. I work with both adults and children, helping them to live more content and fulfilled lives. ​ My objective is to focus on YOUR goals. Together we will identify what gets in the way of you feeling whole, happy, and connected to others. I use powerful strategies to boost your progress and help you connect with your strengths. Think of it as an upgrade of your very own software that will allow you to easily navigate through the challenges of life. ​ My educational background includes a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and a M.A. in Psychology, from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto, CA. I got my Bachelors degree in Psychology and Buddhist studies from Naropa University, Boulder, CO. Business talk radio - 5_13_21, 5.22 PM 00:00 / 05:42 CBT More information about Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy available here Depression Click here to read more about treatment for depression Anxiety What is anxiety and how to treat it OCD What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and how to treat it ERP Exposure Response Prevention Treatment modality PE for Trauma Treating trauma using Prolonged Exposure Children & Adolescent Using Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy with children and adolescents SPACE Supportive Parenting of Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) Keren Shemesh, Ph.D. Serving people in the state of California In-person and online. Before we start working together, I'd like to offer you a FREE 20 minutes consultation, where you can ask me questions and learn about my approach.​ 650-283-3542 Keren@kerendr.com Book your Free Consultation Today! Please email me if you have any question Please be aware that using email could compromise your privacy. Make sure to keep your email succinct and minimize identifying information. First Name* Last name* Email* Phone Message Submit

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