My name is Dr. George A. Ball, and I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist here in Texas where I have been working with clients for almost 15 years and have been licensed in the state of Texas since 2016. I specialize in working with adults and couples on various presenting issues including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, life transitions, and marital discord. I am trained in several evidenced-based treatment modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Solutions Focused Therapy. I was recently credentialed through the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PsyPact) to practice telehealth counseling in the 34 participating states. We are excited to offer this opportunity to clients outside of the state of Texas to continue or begin care with Heritage Counseling.  
 At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the need for telehealth therapy became much more pronounced (1). Due to lockdowns, social distancing, and working from home, it became more difficult for those needing mental health services to access them in person. That need has not diminished as life has continued to change and the focus on mental health has never been more important (2). Due to increases in mental illness in this country, matched with a lack of available providers, state legislatures became more comfortable allowing Psychologists licensed in other states to practice telehealth counseling in their state.  
 The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact began in 2015 with the mission of passing legislation that allows Licensed Psychologists to practice telehealth in all 50 states while being licensed in only one state. Additionally, PsyPact operates as the governing body that credentials Licensed Psychologists to practice telehealth therapy in member states. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the need for this program and 34 states have passed laws allowing telehealth counseling across state lines. Counseling services covered under this program are varied and include individual, couples, and family therapy.  The following states participate in the PsyPact program: Alabama - AL  Arizona - AZ  Arkansas - AR  Colorado - CO  Connecticut -  CT  Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands - CNMI  Delaware - DE  District of Columbia - DC  Georgia - GA  Idaho - ID  Illinois - IL  Indiana - IN  Kansas - KS  Kentucky - KY  Maine - ME  Maryland - MD  Minnesota - MN  Missouri - MO  Nebraska - NE  Nevada - NV  New Hampshire- NH  New Jersey -  NJ  North Carolina - NC  Ohio -  OH  Oklahoma - OK  Pennsylvania - PA  Tennessee -  TN Texas - TX  Utah - UT  Virginia - VA  Washington -  WA  West Virginia - WV  Wisconsin - WI 
 Telehealth therapy's several benefits make it a preferred option for many people. The most commonly cited is the accessibility of telehealth services. As long as you have a device with a microphone and camera, you can have a therapy session. Also, as mentioned previously, with the advent of PsyPact, you can meet with a therapist not located in your state, significantly increasing your ability to work with a preferred provider. Telehealth counseling also allows you to continue working with your therapist should you move, go on vacation, or find yourself out of state for any reason. Telehealth therapy has also been shown to be as effective as in-person therapy for many people (3), allowing you to receive the quality care you may need.  
 Telehealth counseling is structured the same way in-person therapy is. Here at Heritage Counseling, your first appointment is 1.5 hours long to give you and the therapist ample time to gather the background information needed for case conceptualization and build the therapeutic relationship. Subsequent sessions are 50-55 minutes long. All that is required is an internet-connected device (computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone) that has a microphone and camera and a quiet/secure location. Heritage uses a HIPAA-compliant telehealth program that ensures complete security and confidentiality.  
 To get started, please reach out to our administrative team at 214-363-2345. You will be greeted on the phone by one of our team members who will assist you through the process of becoming a client. Standard intake paperwork will be emailed to you to fill out before your first session. Due to the nature of insurance benefits, your plan may cover telehealth counseling from an out-of-state provider. To find out what benefits your plan covers, I encourage you to call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card and ask about mental health benefits including telehealth from an out-of-state provider credentialed through PsyPact.  
 If you or someone you know is struggling, I encourage you to call 214-363-2345 for more information about the telehealth services offered at Heritage Counseling & Consulting.  
 Sources:  https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/01/trends-online-therapy https://www.un.org/en/un-chronicle/pandemic-accelerant-how-covid-19-advanced-our-mental-health-priorities https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/07/cover-telepsychology 


Now Offering Telehealth Therapy in 34 States

 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy  is an evidenced-based treatment for a variety of mental disorders. CBT has two underlying tenets: our thoughts have an impact on our emotions and behaviors, and our behaviors can impact our thoughts and emotions. Due to the interconnectedness of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, CBT therapy helps people recognize and change maladaptive automatic thoughts or behaviors. This change occurs through disrupting automatic thoughts, challenging cognitive errors, breaking behavioral patterns like avoidance, and building coping skills. CBT therapy has been shown to be effective in the treatment of: Depression Anxiety Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Bipolar Disorder Insomnia Chronic Pain Grief 
 Anxiety is an issue commonly treated by CBT therapy due to the fact that thoughts are often associated with emotional reactions. For example, imagine getting invited to a party and the thought pops up, “I won’t have anyone to talk to at this party.” This thought can stimulate an emotional response (anxiety, tension, maybe even nausea), and then the behavioral response of declining the invitation can arise. This is a classic example of social anxiety and the avoidant response outlined here is detrimental for multiple reasons. In addition to avoiding the social event altogether, the person also reinforced avoidance in the future (meaning it is likely to be used again). Over time, this can lead to isolation and other mental health difficulties. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy would target each core process involved in this situation-thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. For example, the therapist could focus on the identification of anxiety thoughts and teach relaxation exercises to reduce anxious emotions or institute behavioral plans to get past the avoidance. By intervening with thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, CBT therapy helps people live the life they want to live.  
 CBT therapy is a problem-oriented therapy that is often a shorter duration than traditional therapy. Sessions typically last 50-55 minutes and occur weekly for anywhere between 5 and 20 sessions. Depending on the severity of the issue, treatment length can be longer and is agreed upon by both therapist and client. Because CBT is problem-focused, there may be uncomfortable moments while challenging engrained thought patterns or behavioral routines. Your therapist will be there to help guide you through such moments. CBT therapy utilizes various interventions that are practiced in session and also outside of session. CBT utilizes homework sent home each week to further refine skills in utilizing the interventions. For example, a common CBT homework assignment is a Thought Record. Thought Records help identify and clarify patterns in our thinking that may be leading to unhealthy emotional responses or behaviors.  
 To become a new client at Heritage and begin working with one of our CBT therapists, please call us at 214-363-2345. An intake specialist will gather information about your presenting problem and preferences for a therapist. Our intake team will then pair you with the best fit for you and an initial appointment will be scheduled. Before the initial appointment, standard paperwork will be sent to you for completion, and at your initial appointment, you will have an hour and a half to discuss your reasons for seeking therapy and develop a treatment plan with your therapist. From there, weekly sessions will focus on helping you improve your cognitions, emotions, and behaviors.  
 The benefits of CBT therapy are many. Due to its shorter duration, CBT is ideal for individuals that want a shorter therapeutic relationship while still making significant progress. Additionally, because CBT therapy does not last years, the cost of therapy is reduced versus someone in a long-term therapeutic relationship. The benefits of CBT have also been shown to extend beyond the graduation session of a therapeutic relationship. Because you learn skills to manage thoughts, and emotions better, and modify behaviors, you can implement those skills even after therapy ends should something else arise. CBT is also a beneficial intervention for those suffering from multiple issues due to the fact that it has been shown to be effective with multiple mental disorders. Additionally, CBT has been shown to be an effective intervention both in person or through a telehealth medium and has been shown to give long-term results.  
 CBT is an excellent option if you are struggling with anxiety, depression, insomnia, trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or ADHD. CBT therapy is an excellent fit for those that want a shorter therapeutic relationship and are motivated to be problem-focused in therapy. CBT can help you learn how to better manage those intrusive thoughts that lead to unhealthy emotional or behavioral responses. If you think CBT therapy would be the right fit for you, or if you have questions about CBT or Heritage in general, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 214-363-2345. Sources: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-cognitive-behavior-therapy-2795747 https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/overview/#:~:text=CBT%20has%20been%20shown%20to,borderline%20personality%20disorder   https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral   https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/about/pac-20384610   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3584580/   https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21208-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-cbt   

Is CBT Therapy Effective?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by intrusive and unwanted reoccurring thoughts that provoke anxiety and distress. The cycle of obsessive thoughts can become exhausting. Compulsions are described as intrusive and uncontrollable urges to engage in repetitive behaviors. Both obsessions and compulsions leave a person feeling as though he/she cannot control the undesired thoughts and behaviors. Individuals suffering with OCD frequent battle with anxiety and a loss of peace of mind.

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