Individual psychotherapy provided to:

• Adults
• Adolescents
• Children

Dr. Silva treats individuals with the following:

• Depression
• General Anxiety
• Panic Attacks
• Social Anxiety
• Weight Loss
• Relationship Issues
• Occupational Issues
• Parenting and Child Behavior Problems
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
• Anger Management

Therapeutic techniques:

Dr. Silva uses cognitive behavioral and acceptance-based techniques to improve her clients’ quality of life and decrease problematic emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching clients the link between their situations, thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Often people do not realize that it is NOT a situation that causes emotional pain, but one’s thoughts about the situation. For example, in a relationship your partner is not “making you mad,” rather your thoughts about your partner actually results in your angry feelings and behaviors. Goals of cognitive behavioral therapy include relating to your thoughts differently and changing them. In addition, you will explore the reasons why you think this way. How much does your childhood effect the way you think today? What are the necessary steps you should take to change your beliefs about yourself, others and the world? Dr. Silva will help you to answer these questions and work toward realistic goals.

Acceptance-based approaches focus on improving your ability to experience life in its entirety, without allowing your thoughts, emotions or situations consume you. Have you ever noticed how often your thoughts consume your mind each and every day? Imagine if you learned to live your life in a meaningful way without constantly being pulled in by these thoughts. Acceptance-based psychotherapy can help you do just that. By first identifying your values, improving your quality of life and achieving realistic goals are the focus here. In practice, Dr. Silva often uses mindfulness meditation techniques to help clients experience life in the moment, rather then dwelling on the past or anxiously anticipating the future.

Both cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance-based approaches are rooted in behavioral principles, in which one’s behaviors (or lack thereof) are assessed and it is determined how they are affecting his/her overall quality of life and mood. For example, if you are feeling depressed and laying on the couch all day, this behavior (amongst others) likely contributes to your mood. In dealing with parenting issues and child behavior problems, one effective technique involves rewarding a child for his/her appropriate behaviors. Focusing on behavior is key to alleviating emotional and mental distress.