Services

Are you...?

·        Depressed

·        Anxious or worried

·        Having relationship problems

·        Feeling “stuck” in your life

·        Confused about what to do after recently quitting or cutting back on substance use

If so, I’m here to help. Click here for more detail on my approach to treating individuals seeking help and what to expect.

You might also be a “concerned significant other” – like a parent or partner – of someone struggling with substance use and related emotional difficulties. Are you…?

·        Frustrated or angry because your loved one won’t seek help

·        Worried about your loved one

·        Stressed from the added burden of these difficult thoughts and feelings

·        Confused about how best to help and support your loved one

If so, I’m here to help you too. Click here for more detail on my approach to treating “concerned significant others” and what to expect.

What is my approach to treatment?

I have specialized training and expertise in the treatment of individuals with substance use disorder (e.g., alcohol, cannabis, opioids, cocaine, etc.) – as well as emotional difficulties that might accompany substance use. These include, but are not limited to, depression, anxiety, and relationship problems. My approach to treatment rests in large part on interventions and strategies that have been vetted in scientific research. For example, I am certified in the adolescent-community reinforcement approach, or “A-CRA”, a cognitive-behavioral intervention shown to be helpful for teenagers and young adults with substance use disorder. As just one example of an intervention that I use in therapy, A-CRA is consistent with my overall approach to treatment – behavior change is best addressed from a comprehensive perspective. During our time together, we will help you develop new skills to address life’s challenges, new ways of thinking, and new ways of understanding and coping with emotions that get in the way of reaching your goals. At the same time, these new skills and perspectives will involve fresh looks at the healthy and unhealthy aspects of your social circle (i.e., whether exploring new friends or social networks might help you reach your goals), as well as other big picture areas of your experience – your self-care, for example.

Overall, my approach to therapy will depend in many ways on the problems for which you are seeking help, as well as your individual clinical and personal needs. Since research shows that the relationship between therapist and patient has equal – or perhaps more – influence on therapy outcomes than any specific therapy technique, our interpersonal connection and the ability to work together toward your treatment goals are critically important. To these ends, I offer an optional, “get to know you” 15-minute phone call (at no charge). This call allows you to tell me why you are seeking help and hear my initial thoughts on a plan.

My practice caters to individuals 18 years and older seeking help for any combination of substance use, mental health, and/or relationship difficulties, regardless of gender, racial/ethnic, or religious identification, as well as sexual orientation. Adolescents 16-17 years old will be considered on a case-by-case basis. I take into account several clinical factors, such as problem severity and other ongoing treatment involvement, that help me determine whether outpatient individual therapy with me is a good fit for your clinical needs. For example, given the more extensive clinical needs of individuals who are actively using alcohol or other drugs and are trying to cut back or quit, I may require an initial period of abstinence (if quitting) or problem resolution (if cutting back) before we can begin working together.

E-mail me brandon@brandonbergmanphd.com or call (401) 371-3260 to schedule a “get to know you” phone call, or to schedule your first appointment.

What to Expect

Our work generally begins with an evaluation that takes 1 to 2 sessions. After the evaluation I will offer my clinical impressions and we will collaboratively create a treatment plan. Research shows that ongoing check-ins related to treatment progress can help improve outcomes. Therefore, no matter what specific approach or techniques we use, I encourage all patients to complete questionnaires over time that I tailor to your particular treatment goals. We will periodically discuss these results, and tweak our approach as needed.

You may be obstacles that don’t allow you to consistently make 50-minute face-to-face sessions. So in addition to these types of sessions with which you may be more familiar, I also offer video visits (sometimes called “telemedicine). Based on a collaborative decision that this approach will effectively meet your needs, video visits in my practice occur through a secure, patient portal on Counsol.com – they take care of all the privacy particulars. All you need is a computer with internet access as well as a webcam, microphone, and speakers. Also in the spirit of this flexible therapy model, I offer 25-minute “half-sessions”, which can be either face-to-face, or via video. You can add 15-minute phone check-ins to any of these treatment models as needed, though I generally do not offer phone therapy on its own.

How do I pay for treatment?

Contact me directly to discuss rates and service options. While I only accept payment directly from patients or a designated family member (“self-pay”), I can provide you with the necessary documentation to seek reimbursement for my services as an out-of-network provider. I encourage you to contact your insurance company first, and then we can discuss together how you might seek insurance reimbursement for my services. 

What is my approach to treatment?

For any number of reasons someone may not be ready to seek up or fully participate in treatment. This resistance may be present despite substantial worry from their family and friends. I have specialized training in helping “concerned significant others”, including parents or partners, of these at-risk individuals. Using strategies from community reinforcement and family training, or CRAFT, our approach focuses on your behavior change as a vehicle to help get your loved one into treatment. Treatment also includes developing a better understanding of your loved one’s problem, improving your ability to cope with associated stressors, and emphasizing your own well-being.

Since research shows that the relationship between therapist and patient has equal – or perhaps more – influence on therapy outcomes than any specific therapy technique, our interpersonal connection and the ability to work together toward your treatment goals are critically important. To these ends, I offer an optional, “get to know you” 15-minute phone call (at no charge). This call allows you to tell me why you are seeking help and hear my initial thoughts on a plan. E-mail me brandon@brandonbergmanphd.com or call (401) 371-3260 to schedule a “get to know you” phone call, or to schedule your first appointment.

What to expect?

Our first session will generally consist of an evaluation focusing on your loved one, your prior attempts to help, and your own emotional well-being. At the end of the evaluation, I will offer my clinical impressions and we will collaboratively create a treatment plan. Research shows that ongoing check-ins related to treatment progress can help improve outcomes. Therefore, no matter what specific approach or techniques we use, I encourage all concerned significant others to complete questionnaires over time tailored to this type of work. We will periodically discuss these results, and tweak our approach as needed.

For some, there are a variety of obstacles to participating fully in therapy. So in addition to more traditional 50-minute face-to-face sessions, I also offer video visits (sometimes called “telemedicine). Based on a collaborative decision that this approach will effectively meet your needs, video visits in my practice occur through a secure, patient portal on Counsol.com – they take care of all the privacy particulars. All you need is a computer with internet access as well as a webcam, microphone, and speakers. Also in the spirit of this flexible therapy model, I offer 25-minute “half-sessions”, which can be either face-to-face, or via video. You can add 15-minute phone check-ins to any of these treatment models as needed, though I generally do not offer phone therapy on its own.

What type of payment do you accept?

Contact me directly to discuss rates and service options. While I only accept payment directly from patients or a designated family member (“self-pay”), I can provide you with the necessary documentation to seek reimbursement for my services as an out-of-network provider. I encourage you to contact your insurance company first, and then we can discuss together how you might seek insurance reimbursement for my services.