Pipitone Counseling Service LLC Maria Pipitone LCSW, LCADC, Clinical Supervisor

The cornerstone of bipolar disorder treatment is usually a combination of lifelong medication and psychotherapy. This approach helps stabilize extreme mood shifts (mania and depression) and prevents future episodes. Our treatment plans are highly personalized and may also include lifestyle changes to increase ability to reach more emotional balance.

Effective depression treatment typically involves a combination of psychotherapy (talk therapy), medication, and lifestyle changes. For mild to moderate depression, therapy is often the first step; for moderate to severe cases, a combination of medication and therapy is sometimes recommended. Working with a licensed mental health professional helps you identify negative thought patterns, develop coping strategies, and work through underlying issues.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): The most highly evidenced and common approach. It focuses on identifying negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger anxiety, and learning practical skills to reframe them. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Uses strategies like mindfulness and goal-setting to help you accept anxious thoughts without letting them dictate your actions.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a future-oriented, goal-directed therapeutic approach. Instead of dwelling on the past or analyzing problems, it focuses on identifying a client's existing strengths and resources to construct actionable solutions. Typically lasting 4 to 8 sessions, it helps clients envision their preferred future and take small, manageable steps to get there. Often times a client looking for this brief therapy remains longer once benefits of therapy are identified.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based, intensive form of talk therapy adapted from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It is specifically designed to help people who experience and process emotions with extreme intensity. The core philosophy of DBT hinges on finding the balance between acceptance (understanding and validating feelings) and change (learning to manage and alter unproductive behaviors).

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy. It teaches you to identify and challenge negative thought patterns that drive unhelpful behaviors. By reframing how you think, you can change how you feel and react to challenging situations. CBT is considered an evidence-based gold standard for treating many conditions and life stressors. I think-I feel-I act=outcome. Reframe the thought-change how I feel-changes my action=usually a better outcome.