Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is a treatment option for many mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and trauma. Ronald Kaufman, PsyD, offers personalized psychotherapy services, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), at FamilyTime Centers, located in the Valley Village area of Los Angeles and in Inglewood, California. Call the practice today or schedule a consultation online for expert psychotherapy services.

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a collaborative treatment to improve your mental and emotional health. You and Dr. Kaufman build a trusting relationship, which creates a safe and nurturing environment for you to explore your memories, thoughts, and feelings and apply therapeutic practices. 

Dr. Kaufman is experienced in several psychotherapy approaches and specializes in CBT and DBT. 

CBT

CBT is a specific type of psychotherapy that explores the relationships between your emotions and thoughts (cognition) and your behavior. 

You learn to recognize negative and unhelpful ways of thinking and how to address those cognitive processes before they lead to harmful or dangerous behavior. 

DBT

DBT is another approach to psychotherapy that helps patients escape from extreme beliefs or positions. It’s based on the idea of two opposite ideas being true simultaneously, such as the dialectic of balance and change. 

As you change the way you think, you also practice behavioral changes to enhance your overall quality of life. 

What conditions improve with psychotherapy?

At FamilyTime Centers, Dr. Kaufman offers personalized psychotherapy to address various mental health issues, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Trauma
• Bipolar disorder
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Dr. Kaufman can also help you learn to control your anger and impulsiveness. He offers family and parental counseling, as well as specialized counseling for military personnel and veterans. You might also benefit from communication and social skills training.

What should I expect during psychotherapy?

Unlike what you see on television and in movies, you’re not going to lie on a couch and talk about your mother during psychotherapy. 

During your sessions, which usually occur weekly or biweekly, you sit in a comfortable chair in Dr. Kaufman’s office and talk. Dr. Kaufman might ask questions to dig deeper into your thoughts and feelings or to help you consider a situation from a different point of view. 

Depending on which type of psychotherapy Dr. Kaufman uses in your treatment plan, you might also practice emotional or behavioral management strategies. He might also give you “homework” to continue to practice those strategies at home. 

If you’re interested in psychotherapy or have concerns about your mental health, call FamilyTime Centers or make an appointment online today.