Loading Page
Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Valentine, MA, PhD is a physician provider in Boston, MA specializing in physician and psychology. Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Valentine, MA, PhD is affiliated with Boston Medical Center and BOSTON UNIVERSITY PSYCHIATRY ASSOCIATES, INC.
Connecting with a therapist can be difficult. BetterHelp can help with that. They have an online network of licensed and accredited psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and counselors. You can connect with their therapists via online video, phone, real-time chat, or asynchronous messaging. Easily switch therapists until you find one that fits you. Sign up through DocSpot for a discount on your first month's subscription.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a form of psychotherapy or treatment for mental illness. It comes in a variety of methods, but the basic concept behind all CBT is the same -- thoughts cause feelings, which cause actions. If someone wishes to change problematic behaviors or emotions in their lives, they need to start by changing their thoughts. CBT examines ideas and looks for patterns that may be causing harmful actions. The therapist helps patients modify those thought patterns and, in doing so, helps them feel better and cope more effectively.
CBT is one of the most widely studied forms of psychotherapy, and it has been shown to be extremely effective for a variety of mental illnesses. Some of the issues that respond well to CBT include mood disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse, sleep disorders, and psychotic disorders. In some cases, CBT has been shown to be as effective or even more effective than medication. One of the interesting things that the scientific study of CBT has shown is that CBT actually changes the way the brain works, physically improving its function.
CBT differs from traditional psychotherapy in a few key ways. One of the most important distinctions is the emphasis on the power and responsibility of the patient in CBT. The patient will be encouraged to be the one asking the questions in CBT therapy, and most patients are assigned homework to complete outside of therapy sessions. There is a concept in CBT that everyone has power the power to change how they feel, even if they cannot control the situation, and this can be very empowering for patients. Because of this power shift, the therapist-client relationship is not as critical to success in CBT as it is in other modes of therapy. Patients should still get along well with their therapists, but they do not need a deep, dependent emotional connection to them. Finally, because CBT often treats a specific issue or problem, it is usually shorter in duration than traditional therapy. While some therapies may continue for years, CBT lasts on average just 16 sessions.
Mental Health Issues
Mental health issues, also referred to as mental health disorders or mental health illnesses, are a wide variety of conditions that impact behavior, emotion, and cognition. There are many different forms of mental health issues, some of which are acute (short-term), while others are chronic. Common mental health issues include:
No single cause of mental health issues exists. Multiple factors may increase one's risk for developing mental health issues, including but not limited to:
Mental health issues are typically diagnosed by a provider like a psychiatrist or a psychologist. These issues are diagnosed through psychological evaluation and talk therapy.
Mental health therapy can be an effective tool in supporting people who are struggling with unwanted feelings, behaviors, or difficult circumstances in their lives. Many forms of therapy are available, including specialized therapies tailored to particular disorders. For many issues, therapists help patients manage their conditions through talk therapy. Other treatments can include medication or stays at a psychiatric facility. Mental health therapy can help people with mental health issues improve their mental and emotional wellbeing.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that people may develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. PTSD causes recurring nightmares, flashbacks, and disturbing memories about the traumatic event. It is frequently triggered by particularly intense and life-threatening incidents. For example, someone involved in a serious car accident may have severe anxiety about the accident months or even years later. War veterans and people involved in armed conflict are particularly prone to developing PTSD. In decades past, PTSD was called shellshock and was used to describe the negative emotions that soldiers endured from war. Today, medical professionals who treat PTSD recognize that it can occur in all types of people and can result from all types of traumatic incidents. It is not known exactly why some people develop PTSD, although PTSD frequently arises from:
People who have experienced significant and repeated trauma are more likely to develop PTSD. Those who have disorders like depression or a family history of depression may also be more prone to PTSD. PTSD symptoms typically begin one month to one year following the traumatic event. There are four main categories of PTSD symptoms:
The intensity and frequency of these symptoms can vary over time. PTSD symptoms may suddenly return after disappearing for years. Many PTSD patients find treatment helps to gradually reduce their symptoms over time.
The most common treatments for PTSD are psychotherapy and oral medications. Psychotherapy for PTSD can include cognitive therapy (therapy to change thought patterns), exposure therapy (therapy to confront memories of the traumatic incident) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR). EMDR integrates exposure therapy with guided eye movements to help patients confront and process their trauma. Certain oral medications may help with PTSD, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. Self-care, support groups, and relaxation may also benefit those with PTSD.
The path to overcoming PTSD can be long and challenging and people with PTSD can benefit greatly by seeking professional treatment from a mental health care provider. Treatment can reduce PTSD symptoms, provide essential coping strategies, and improve one's quality of life.
She completed residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is certified by the Board Certification: Commonwealth of Massachusetts licensed psychologist and has a state license in Massachusetts.
Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital
Board Certification: Board Certification: Commonwealth of Massachusetts licensed psychologist
Licensed In: Massachusetts
Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Valentine, MA, PhD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Fallon: Senior Plan, Tufts Health Public Plans (THPP): Unify (OneCare Plan), CCA: SCO Primary Care, Tufts Health Plan: Tufts Medicare Complement, Neighbborhood: Commonwealth Choice, Neighbborhood: ACO, Aetna: QPOS, Neighbborhood: Commonwealth Care, Aetna: Medicare Advantage, Fallon: Major Medical/Health & Life Assurance Company Programs, Tufts Health Plan: Select Network HMO & PPO, Aetna: ElectChoice, Fallon: Select Care, MultiPlan (Beech Street): Medicare Advantage Private FFS Network, Cigna: HealthSource Preferred, Tufts Health Plan: GIC Limited Network Product, CCA: Inpatient Services Program, BCBSMA: Indemnity, Aetna: Aetna Choice POS II, CCA: OneCare, Tufts Health Public Plans (THPP): ACO, BCBSMA: HMO Blue, Fallon: Flex Care Select, Aetna: Managed Choice POS, Senior Whole Health: SCO, BMC Healthnet: MassHealth, Neighbborhood: CarePlus, MultiPlan (Beech Street): MA PPO Network, Tufts Health Plan: HMO, BMC Healthnet: ACO & Senior Care Options, Neighborhood PACE, Aetna: National Advantage, Senior Whole Health: Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan, MultiPlan (PPO Network Company): Primary PPO Network, HPHC: HMO, Fallon: Preferred Care, Tufts Health Public Plans (THPP): Subsidized Connector Plans, Cigna: HealthSource Preferred Managed Worker's Comp, Unicare: Commonwealth Indemnity Plan (formerly GIC), HPHC: PPO, Uphams Elder Svc Plan: PACE - Elder Service Providers, Humana, Neighbborhood: CMA, BCBSMA: Preferred Provider Arrangement, Health Plans Inc., Kaiser, United Healthcare: Commercial & SCO, Tufts Health Public Plans (THPP): Non-Subsidized Connector Plans, BMC Healthnet: Commonwealth Choice, Tufts Health Plan: Non-HMP (PPO, POS & EPO Products), Neighbborhood: MassHealth, Tufts Health Public Plans (THPP): MassHealth, Fallon: Senior Plan Preferred, Chickering Claims Administrators: Student Health Plan, Cigna: HealthSource NH, CCA: SCO, Aetna: HMO, MultiPlan (PPO Network Company): Complementary Network, BCBSMA: Medicare Advantage, Aetna: Open Choice PPO, VA Choice, BMC Healthnet: QHP, Neighbborhood: Commercial and Aetna: Aetna Select.
According to our sources, Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Valentine, MA, PhD accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Valentine, MA, PhD does not have any reviews yet, be the first to leave a review of Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Valentine, MA, PhD here: Leave a Review
Sarah E Valentine, PhD specializes in Trauma/Stressor-related disorders, Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Behavioral Medicine, Sexual Risk Behaviors, Special issues related to LGBT health. To make an appointment, call (617) 414-5245.
