Individual Therapy

Individual psychotherapy is an approach in which all therapists at Rochester Center are highly trained. Individuals receive assistance in addressing issues related to self, family, school and work. Clients who chose to participate in individual therapy work together with their therapist to gain insight and increase coping skills in order to improve general mental health.

At the Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine (RCBM) therapists work closely with the Psychiatrists, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and if your case involves our Registered Dietitian, in a therapeutic team approach. This provides a broader viewpoint of existing mental health issues. When deemed necessary by the mental health professionals at RCBM, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and medical nutrition therapy, along with family or marital counseling may be recommended.

The professionals at RCBM also encourage clients to take an active role in participating in their therapy. Therapists may also provide psychoeducation through the use of videos, bibliotherapy, and opportunities to attend seminars pertaining to individual mental health issues. Please view our Professionals page to view the backgrounds and related interests of a particular therapist at RCBM.

Watch: Expert Insights on Individual Therapy

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Dr. Melissa Oleshansky, PhD discusses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This structured and goal-oriented psychotherapy is used at RCBM to treat or manage mental health conditions, stress, unhealthy habits, and emotional concerns.

What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?

Aundreah Walenski, LMSW discusses the components of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), an evidence-based psychotherapy that is used to treat personality disorders and interpersonal conflicts and how this modality can help individuals live the life they want to live.

How to Talk to a Loved One About Psychiatric Treatment

Jamie Clark, LMSW explains the best way to discuss mental healthcare with your loved one including finding a safe, comfortable and private place to express how each of you feel. It's imperative to stress the importance of not only physical but mental health care along with assisting your loved one in finding resources.

What Should a Patient Know Before Starting an Antidepressant

Chris Discenna, PA-C sets your expectations for starting antidepressant medication, including not to expect immediate improvement as medications take time to work, side effects you may experience and how to manage, along with the possibility of you needing a dose adjustment or a different antidepressant agent. Combining medication with therapy is highly recommended for a more comprehensive approach for long term outcomes.

Feeling Stuck in Therapy? Here’s What to Do Next

Melissa Oleshansky, PhD, "Dr. O", explains that feeling "stuck" in therapy is not failure, but that you are on the right edge of meaningful change. Dr. O highlights three strategies to go deeper in therapy including "saying what you are not saying", "get curious not critical", and "change the rhythm not the song". Therapy is an evolving process. It requires you to "lean in." "Stuckness" is not a problem but a portal to something deeper.

Mental Health First Aid

Maegan Wickstrom, LMSW explains mental first aid which is an evidence-based training that teaches mental health professionals to respond to a challenge or crisis appropriately. As a therapist trained in mental health first aid, Maegan is trained to provide supportive intervention and education to patients and family members, along with tools and strategies for their current situation. Mental health first aid helps patients feel more prepared when struggling by supporting, listening, validating and connecting the individual to appropriate resources vs. just fixing the issue.

Family Member with Depression

Kelly Dahl, LMSW describes the challenges that family members or caregivers face when supporting someone with depression. They may feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to support, but it's important for them to be there without trying to fix the problem. Strategies and resources include listening with empathy, not trying to find a solution, and connecting. They don't have to completely understand but leave it to the professionals to do the "heavier lifting." Family members and caregivers can advocate for their loved one by going with them to their appointments, or help them set up simple routines including eating, sleeping, self-care or joining them on a walk.

Emergency Responder Training

Jamie Fulton-Smith, MS, LLP, ERPSCC, describes her training as an emergency responder, public safety certified clinician. Her training involved over 40 hours of continuing education and passage of an examination in a year-long program from the National Emergency and Public Safety Center in Colorado. The training addressed the unique stressors first responders face, relationships and family dynamics, resiliency, suicide prevention, and post critical incident response. Her training has helped her support first responders as they navigate the pressures of a dangerous and high-demand career, while suffering from higher rates of morbidity, premature deaths, depression, PTSD, and suicidality than the general population. Although stigma remains, with responders reluctant to seek treatment, certified providers such as Jamie can help break down barriers and improve mental health outcomes for this population.

Individual Therapy