Therapy Types

Dr. Hunt uses a variety of evidenced based therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP) and Family Systems Therapy.  These approaches, combined with Dr. Hunt's cultural sensitivity, mindfulness and strength-based methodologies allow clients and their families to better understand themselves, all while coming together to build a stronger family unit. 

OCD in young people is more prevalent than most people realize.  It can often lead to severe impairment and conflict within the family.  People with OCD often have additional diagnoses, such as depression, further adding to personal and family distress.  Dr. Hunt uses Exposure with Response Prevention Therapy (ERP), which has been shown to be the most effective treatment for OCD in combination with medication.  Dr. Hunt also provides parent coaching, when needed, to help the entire family live a better life.

 PANDAS and PANS cause a sudden onset of severe OCD symptoms.  They also cause other sudden changes in behavior.  These changes can be so extreme that might seem like they changed overnight.  The most common cause of a severe onset of OCD and tics is strep infection.  When it's clear that the symptoms are linked to a strep infection (like strep throat), it's called PANDAS.  PANS is when the severe onset of OCD symptoms is linked to another infection, which includes the flu, chickenpox, mycoplasma and Lyme disease.  Both PANDAS and PANS can be treated with medication and therapy.  Dr. Hunt provides guidance and support to help get the entire family system through the challenging times. 

 For nearly two decades, Dr. Hunt has been working with people on the Autism Spectrum.  She understands how Developmental Delays of any kind (ASD, genetic disorders, FASD, etc.) impact not only the client's social and academic and/or work functioning but also impact the parents', siblings' and significant others' functioning as well.  Dr. Hunt works with the entire family by providing psychoeducation, resources, case management with other providers involved in the client's care, parent support, behavior training, sibling support, individual and family therapy. 

Though it is atypical for children and teens to experience DMDD or Bipolar Disorder, it’s not impossible, especially if there is a family history.  However, unlike with adults, children's and teens‘ emotions are harder to distinguish.  A variety of disorders often appear to be similar, symptoms overlap and are difficult to distinguish.  In children and adolescents in particular, the symptoms tend to present in the same way regardless of the issue...through behaviors.  Having an understanding of DMDD and Bipolar Disorder in children and teens, such as how they are different than ADHD, ASD, OCD, depression and ODD, is key.  Dr. Hunt will work with the child/teen and their medication prescriber to better help the family understand these disorders, including how they impact daily functioning for the child/teen and the entire family.  Also, how these diagnoses impact the child's/teen's future and how to move forward together as a cohesive family.

 For many people, the idea of self-harm is confusing.  Most parents feel upset, hurt and scared when they learn their child, teen or young adult is self-harming.  They worry about their child's safety, reflect on the signs they "must have missed" and might feel a sense of failure or shame that it’s happening to their family.  It is important to recognize that self-harm is not equal to suicide.  Oftentimes, a child/teen/young adult trying self-harm is doing it in an attempt to manage emotions, not to die.  There is however a link between chronic self-harm and suicidal thoughts and actions so self-harming behavior should be addressed directly.  Dr. Hunt works with clients to identify issues that may support or reinforce unhealthy behaviors, factors that may get in the way of more healthy and helpful behaviors while considering the client's history, personal circumstances and diagnoses in order to develop a customized treatment plan for long-term growth. 

Though it is rare for children and adolescents to experience psychosis, it’s not impossible, especially if there is a family history.  However, children's and teens‘ emotions and behaviors are more difficult to understand than adults' emotions.  A variety of disorders often appear to be similar because symptoms overlap and are difficult to differentiate.  Having an understanding of psychotic symptoms, psychosis and schizophrenia in younger people, such as how they are different than depression with psychotic features or bipolar disorder with psychotic features, ASD and/or OCD, is key.  Dr. Hunt will work with the child/teen, parents and their prescriber to better help the family understand these disorders, including how they impact the child's/teen's daily functioning and how these diagnoses impact the child's/teen's future.

It is not unusual for parents to disagree on how to parent their child(ren), especially if they're not sure if their child’s/teen's behavior is “normal” or “appropriate” for their age.  This becomes even more challenging if the child’s/teen's behavior changed recently and parents can’t figure out why.  Oftentimes, this might result in outright refusal to do anything such as simple tasks, chores, homework and/or going to school.  This can be overwhelming to parents, especially if one or both of the parents having their own mental health challenges.  Dr. Hunt can help parents work through their own feelings.  Dr. Hunt will also help parents overcome these challenges with their child(ren) and guide parents through the process while giving them tools and strategies on how to manage, so that the family can begin to heal.