TMS & Ketamine Treatments for Depression

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that helps people understand how thoughts and feelings influence behaviors. At Montana Psychiatry & Brain Health Center we use a skills-based approach to CBT.  Skills-based CBT focuses on teaching and actualizing specific skills to help cope with mental health issues and improve overall functioning. This method allows for more individualization for our patient and flexibility to best serve the unique geography and life-style of the Montana community. 

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Who is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy a Good Fit For?

Skills-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a versatile therapeutic approach that can be beneficial for a wide range of individuals experiencing various mental health issues. It is particularly suitable for:

  1. People with Anxiety Disorders: Skills-based CBT is effective in treating various forms of anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific phobias. The therapy helps individuals identify and challenge their anxious thoughts and develop coping skills.
  2. Individuals with Depression: Skills-based CBT can help those with depression by teaching them to recognize and modify negative thought patterns, engage in positive activities, and develop problem-solving skills.
  3. Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): This form of CBT is effective in helping individuals with OCD by exposing them to their fears and preventing their typical compulsive responses, thus reducing the severity of their symptoms.
  4. Those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Skills-based CBT can aid individuals with PTSD by helping them process trauma-related thoughts and emotions and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
  5. Individuals with Eating Disorders: Skills-based CBT can be used to address disordered eating patterns and body image issues by helping individuals develop healthier thinking patterns and behaviors related to food and body image.
  6. People with Substance Use Disorders: This therapy can help individuals struggling with addiction by teaching them skills to manage cravings, avoid triggers, and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
  7. Children and Adolescents: Skills-based CBT is also effective for younger populations, helping them develop emotional regulation skills, problem-solving abilities, and healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with various stressors.
  8. Individuals with Chronic Pain or Illness: Skills-based CBT can help individuals manage chronic pain or illness by teaching them skills to cope with the emotional and psychological aspects of their condition.
  9. People Experiencing Stress or Life Transitions: Individuals dealing with significant life changes, such as divorce, job loss, or other stressful situations, can benefit from skills-based CBT by learning stress management techniques and developing resilience.

Providing Skills-Based CBT Across Montana

Proudly treating patients all around Montana either through in-person appointments or virtually with a licensed professional. Our experience is that a skills-based CBT is best supplemented with periodic “check-in sessions” also called refresher sessions. The refresher sessions can be done on a scheduled basis or as needed. It is not uncommon for patients to see success in schedule skill-based CBT and follow-up with in-person or virtual visits with your therapist.  

The Benefits of Skills-based CBT:

  1. Evidence-Based Effectiveness: CBT is one of the most extensively studied forms of therapy, particularly for treating mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. It has a robust evidence base supporting its effectiveness in treating these and other psychological problems.
  2. Problem-Solving Skills: CBT teaches individuals practical and tangible skills that can be used to manage current and future problems. This empowers people to deal more effectively with their issues.
  3. Supportive and Structured: CBT is typically conducted in a structured manner and is a supportive therapy. It helps patients engage in their own recovery and teaches them skills for self-help, which can reduce the length of time they need therapy.
  4. Focus on Challenging Negative Thoughts: One of the central aspects of CBT is challenging negative thoughts and restructuring them in a way that affects the patient’s behavior positively. This change in thought patterns can have a lasting impact on mental health and outlook.
  5. Applicability to Broad Issues: While CBT is particularly effective for depression and anxiety, its methods are applicable to a range of life issues, including stress management, relationship problems, and coping with chronic medical conditions.
  6. Relapse prevention: Studies have supported the long-term efficacy of CBT. These same studies also support “refresher” sessions to review skills and reinforcement of therapy. 
  7. Adaptable to Individual Needs: CBT can be adapted to meet the specific needs of each individual, which makes it potentially effective for a broad range of people and problems.
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Average Rating: 5

7 Reviews

12

TMS

by Deb (age 64)

Nov 7,2018

The hoops I jumped through in order to be evaluated were straightforward and efficient. I met with PA Kaitlin for about an hour to discuss my history and previous medications. Then Dr. Amato joined us to further discuss my history, the TMS treatment, and answer any questions. Myrna gathered all of the information and submitted it to my health insurance company to request coverage for TMS. Fortunately, insurance approved the treatment and I was able to begin the next week. I’m sure most people have anxiety about starting a treatment like TMS. No matter how many times it’s described to you, there are many unknowns. How will I feel during treatment? Is it painful? What if this doesn’t work? What if it works for a while but then stops? In all honesty, I was very uncomfortable during the first couple of weeks of treatment. The alternating two seconds of tapping sensation caused some pain during treatment, and at the end of the first week I thought about quitting. But I had sworn to myself that TMS was a last resort and I HAD TO complete the treatment and give it a chance to work. My technician, Heather, told me that some people don’t feel the tapping at all, they only hear it. Guess I wasn’t one of those people! But as the days went by, it became easier to tolerate the treatments. During this time I also saw Lauren weekly for CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). This is highly recommended for people undergoing TMS treatment, and it was a positive complement to my total of 100 minutes each week “under the helmet”. The weekend between weeks three and four, I started to notice subtle improvements in my mood, increased belief in my self-worth, and enthusiasm for simple things like going for walks, meeting friends for lunch, and taking on volunteer work in the community. I hesitated at first to believe that TMS was helping me. I was afraid that I was convincing myself it was working because I so desperately wanted it to! But now that I am past the treatment I can say with cert

Category: general * Individual results may vary.

TMS

by Barbie (age 68)

Nov 7,2018

I feel so blessed to participate in the TMS protocol at MT Psychiatry. After struggling so many years with depression and not getting significant results from medication, particularly of late, I noticed positive results in the first two weeks of treatment. TMS can literally give you back the beauty & joy in living as well as the courage to make positive life changes and improvements in your daily living situation. I heartily encourage anyone to put yourself into the hands of the amazing TMS team who so gently and graciously make this journey with you out of the black hole that is depression. It is my honor and privilege to give the TMS treatment the highest recommendation.

Category: general * Individual results may vary.

TMS

by Shayne (age 66)

Oct22,2018

I am grateful for the support and caring I have received from Dr. Amato (and Heidi, Heather and Myrna) in my quest for mental health and a fuller more productive life. While the TMS results have been subtle, I feel more positive about my future and I would recommend this team absolutely. Thank you!

Category: general * Individual results may vary.

TMS

by Carrie (age 65)

Oct22,2018

Not realizing how fuzzy my head was, I thought I was only going through severe anxiety and depression. Through the insight of Pat, I was able to go through TMS treatments which brought down the anxiety and depression immensely and has cleared up the fuzzy, far off substantially. All the personnel treated me with kindness and I’m sure their attitudes helped in my recovery.

Category: general * Individual results may vary.

TMS

by Bridget (age 47)

Oct22,2018

The first outcome of TMS I noted happened early in my treatment, at about the beginning of week two. I felt as though my “brain fog” had been chipped away. I wish I could report that I feel my mental health issues are in “remission”, but I can’t do so yet. My hope is that I will see improvement in the weeks to come, now that my TMS cycle has ended. I can say that my brain feels – in some way – different; I can’t explain exactly how. I continue to struggle at this point in time but sill have hope for more improvement.

Category: general * Individual results may vary.

TMS

by Beth (age 35)

Oct22,2018

I can’t remember a time in my life where I was truly happy. I’ve suffered from depression, anxiety and even self-injury since I was little. Even my own wedding day wasn’t the happy joyful time it should have been. Since starting TMS, I can finally say I’m happy. I am no longer being held prisoner by depression, anxiety, self-injury, and even suicidal ideation. It’s an adjustment going from the dark to the light. Experiencing true happiness is strange, but it’s worth it. TMS is amazing and I recommend it to anyone who suffers from depression. There is an answer, and it’s TMS! This treatment, Dr. Amato, and her team literally saved my life, and for that I’m eternally grateful.

Category: general * Individual results may vary.

TMS

by Sandy (age 55)

Oct22,2018

I’ll be honest, I was ready to give up within the first 3 weeks due to the headaches, but I’m glad I stayed and finished the entire treatment. My hubby has noticed more positive change in me. I can go and be around small groups of people, where before I would only leave the house to go to Dr. Appointments and only because of insurance reasons. Thanks to the caring ladies at the Front Desk, Myrna, Heather, Heidi (and) Dr. Amato who made every visit show(ed) me how much they genuinely care, ask questions, offer ideas, they’re supportive but not pushy. Thank you all for helping me become a better me!

Category: general * Individual results may vary.

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Montana Psychiatry and Brain Health

Montana Psychiatry & Brain Health Center
Montana Psychiatry – Billings:
3737 Grand Avenue, Suite 6
Billings, MT - 59102
Tel : 406-839-2985

Therapy Office
Montana Psychiatry – Billings:
517 S 24th St. W. Unit C3
Billings, MT - 59102
Tel : 406-839-2985

Montana Psychiatry – Bozeman:
822 Stoneridge Dr., Suite A-2
Bozeman, MT - 59718
Tel : 406-551-8001
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