Brief Evidence-Based Psychotherapy

The BEBP Clinic program is designed to be short-term, with programs usually lasting between 6-12 weeks. Treatment is offered virtually or in-person and as individual or group psychotherapy and the program includes structured sessions with skills/strategies and daily practice assignments to strengthen skills outside of therapy.

Current Treatments Offered:

• Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD (12 weeks)
• Prolonged Exposure for PTSD (8-12 weeks)
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (6 weeks)
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Panic Attacks (10 weeks)
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (5 weeks)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Medical Conditions (8-10 weeks)
• Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (12-16 weeks)
• Behavioral Activation for Depression (5 weeks)

To discuss enrollment in the Brief Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Clinic, please call 504-703-1616 to leave a message for Dr. Ruhl or Dr. Primeaux (BEBP Coordinators) indicating you are interested in setting up an intake evaluation. You will be contacted to do a brief phone screening prior to scheduling the appointment.

Enrollment in the BEBP Clinic requires referral from an Ochsner provider within the Department of Psychiatry (referrals for insomnia and chronic pain may come from Ochsner providers outside of the department). If you do not have a provider within the Department of Psychiatry, you may call 504-842-4025 to schedule an appointment with a provider.

Please complete the following forms prior to your first appointment:

• Ochsner Patient and Health Care Team Partnership Agreement
• Brief Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Clinic Informed Consent

The initial intake is typically available within 4 weeks; however, there may be a wait for treatments.

It will be a collaborative decision between you and the BEBP coordinator as to whether a treatment in the BEBP clinic will be right for you. If you are admitted to the BEBP clinic, you will be scheduled for all sessions of the treatment.

Please check with your insurance provider regarding billing and costs of treatment.

• Initial evaluation: CPT code 90791
• Individual therapy: CPT code 90834 or 90837
• Group therapy: CPT code 90853

Our team includes clinical psychologists and social workers with specialty training and experience in evidence-based protocols.

• Jacklyn Ruhl, PhD
• Sunni Primeaux, PhD
• Ariana Mitchell, PhD
• Jackie Ball, PhD

The Brief Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Clinic is located on the 4^th floor of the Brent House at Ochsner Medical Center, 1514 Jefferson Hwy., New Orleans, LA 70121.

If you are interested in reading more about evidence-based practice in psychology, please refer to:

• American Psychology Association
• Society of Clinical Psychology

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) helps patients learn how to challenge and modify unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma. CPT helps foster a new understanding and conceptualization of the traumatic event so that it reduces its ongoing negative effects on current life. Treatment focuses on processing why you believe traumatic events occurred and how they impact you now (especially in the areas of safety, trust, power/control, esteem, and intimacy). CPT will help you understand your emotions and modify unhelpful thinking to move forward from trauma.

CBT-GAD (10 weeks)
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is considered the gold standard treatment for generalized anxiety disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is different from normal worry. This treatment is designed for individuals who experience excessive worry that is difficult to control, coupled with high levels of physical tension or general nervousness. The goal of this program is not to suppress anxiety but change the way individuals react. Treatment involves identification of triggers, education about the nature of anxiety, learning to identify and control anxious thoughts, and relaxation training.


CBT-D (8-10 weeks)
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is considered the gold-standard of psychotherapy for depressive disorders. Depression is different from general feelings of sadness that everyone experiences. Symptoms of depression cause significant impairment across several areas of life (e.g., work, school, social activities, and home). The goal of this treatment is to help individuals develop adaptive core beliefs about themselves, the world, and others. Additionally, behavioral activation skills are implemented to break the vicious cycle of depression and increase quality of life.

Prolonged Exposure (PE) is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches individuals to gradually approach trauma-related memories, feelings and situations. By facing what has been avoided, you can decrease symptoms of PTSD by actively learning that the trauma-related memories and cues are not dangerous and do not need to be avoided. PE uses imaginal exposure and in vivo exposure to approach trauma-related symptoms both in your mind and in person.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i) is recommended as a first-line, gold standard treatment for chronic insomnia. Many patients have found success using CBT-i strategies, but it is important to know that it can be hard work. CBT-i involves changing sleep habits and scheduling factors, misconceptions about sleep and insomnia, and other problems that perpetuate insomnia. Strategies include Sleep Restriction (prescribing less time in bed to improve sleep efficiency), Stimulus Control (limit time in bed to sleep only), Sleep Hygiene, Relaxation, and promoting helpful sleep thoughts.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is generally considered the gold standard treatment for anxiety disorders, including panic disorder. CBT aims to modify unhelpful beliefs related to anxiety and panic and reduce avoidance through exposure exercises. Treatment focuses on psychoeducation regarding panic, relaxation to reduce arousal, promoting helpful thinking, in vivo exposure (approaching feared situations), and interoceptive exposure (tolerating sensations that come with anxiety and panic).

Chronic pain is a condition that is best treated from a biopsychosocial approach, or by focusing on the physical, social, and psychological aspects of the pain experience. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is generally considered the gold standard treatment for chronic pain and aims to address unhelpful beliefs and behaviors that may be contributing to one’s pain experience. Treatment focuses on psychoeducation regarding the biopsychosocial model of pain, activity pacing, evaluating and modifying any unhelpful thinking styles, and learning relaxation techniques to assist with reducing muscle tension/pain.

The Unified Protocol (UP) is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) used to treat individuals who have symptoms of anxiety, depression, and/or related conditions. As a transdiagnostic treatment, it can be applied to a range of different disorders and problems (e.g., panic attacks, social anxiety, obsessive thought/compulsions, depressed mood, impulsive behaviors) and can treat multiple conditions simultaneously. The goal of the UP is to help individuals learn news ways of responding to uncomfortable emotions that reduce symptoms across a person’s range of problems. The UP combines elements such as mindfulness, cognitive therapy, and behavioral therapy.

ACT focuses on relating to your thoughts in a different way and learning how to become more psychologically flexible by using mindfulness and behavior change strategies. The goal in ACT is to become more engaged with your values, or what you care deeply about. ACT is a well-researched treatment for chronic medical conditions or diseases. ACT can assist with coping distress that can come after receiving a new diagnosis, having to significantly change one’s lifestyle for disease management, feeling “different” or being embarrassed because of changes in functioning, etc. Treatment focuses on: a) Values clarification, b) Building willingness to cope with uncontrollable aspects of one’s experience, c) Building new perspective-taking skills to manage unhelpful thoughts, d) Increasing values-based actions, and e) Developing mindfulness skills.

CBT for Depression (8-10 sessions):

The treatment is designed to help improve symptoms of depression and quality of life. Interventions are introduced to change your behaviors and evaluate your thoughts to improve symptoms of depression including sadness, lack of motivation, withdrawal, and negative self-beliefs.

CBT for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (8-10 sessions):

This treatment uses a cognitive-behavioral approach designed to help patients with generalized anxiety disorder. It teaches skills to help patients cope with chronic tension, irritability, sleep problems, and excessive worry. Treatment involves identification of triggers, education about the nature of anxiety, learning to identify and control anxious thoughts, and relaxation training.