Psychiatrists in District of Columbia
Pooja Lakshmin
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
Washington, DC 20016
Not accepting new clients
**Please note: I am not accepting new patients at this time** I am a board certified perinatal psychiatrist specializing in women's mental health and perinatal psychiatry. I take a holistic and integrative approach to psychiatric treatment, and believe that no single modality can fix everything. In addition to prescribing medication when necessary, I provide psychotherapy as a means to navigate life transitions, interpersonal conflict, and identity shifts.
**Please note: I am not accepting new patients at this time** I am a board certified perinatal psychiatrist specializing in women's mental health and perinatal psychiatry. I take a holistic and integrative approach to psychiatric treatment, and believe that no single modality can fix everything. In addition to prescribing medication when necessary, I provide psychotherapy as a means to navigate life transitions, interpersonal conflict, and identity shifts.
See more therapy options for District of Columbia
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Psychiatrists
How does acceptance and commitment therapy work?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy encourages a person to listen to their self-talk. A person’s inner dialog can be indicative of how they treat themselves. ACT also encourages self-compassion; this can lead to a better understanding of negative thought patterns and emotional states. This understanding can then lead the individual to needed behavior change.
What are the goals of acceptance and commitment therapy?
The goal of acceptance and commitment is to expand a person’s psychological flexibility, a trait that encourages an individual to live in the present moment and to accept all their thoughts, feelings, and emotions, even ones that are difficult such as sadness and anxiety. In ACT, this acceptance is congruent with the individual’s values and beliefs.
Does acceptance and commitment therapy work for depression?
Acceptance and commitment therapy is effective for depression because it allows the individual to view their discomfort and suffering differently. Depressive feelings about relationship heartaches, for example, are a part of life. A despondent person learns to let go of their struggles and instead view their painful thoughts and feelings with compassion. This will lead the individual toward positive change.
How long are people typically in acceptance and commitment therapy?
A typical acceptance and commitment therapy session is 50 minutes long with one session per week. Treatment for common problems such as anxiety, depression, or relationship difficulties can last between eight weeks to four months. However, more severe cases may require more than one session a week and/or a longer time frame for treatment.