RtoR Family-Endorsed Provider Profile
The Dialectical and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center, LLC
Psychotherapy
Westport, CT
The Dialectical and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center serves to provide its clients with therapies that are of the highest quality and informed by the most recent research in psychological treatments; to provide training in dialectical and cognitive behavior therapy to professionals; and to educate the community about the potential benefits of dialectical and cognitive behavior therapies.
The Dialectical and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center, LLC
15 Powers Court
Westport, CT 06880
203 454-3070
Website
Directions
Family Member Quotes
“The therapist my daughter saw, and the ones who led our groups, were very knowledgeable about DBT. They also were strong communicators. They made the groups both pleasant, and if not “fun” at least enjoyable.”
“My daughter improved rapidly with DBT. It is exactly the right treatment style for her. I found the parent group supportive and tremendously helpful. The skills I learned there have helped me manage my own stress and occasional anxiety, and have been useful in parenting all of my children. Now I tell people I think everyone should learn DBT in middle school. Parents always say that babies don’t come with an instruction manual, but I wish I’d had a book on DBT when my kids were little.”
“When my daughter was hospitalized… her case worker suggested we try DBT. This is the only full-fledged, outpatient DBT center in our area.
Information and Referrals
Speak with a Resource Specialist about services and referrals to the The Dialectical and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center.
Services
- Individual Psychotherapy
- Group Therapy
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Parents Groups
- Skills Training Groups
- Training and Workshops for Professionals
Client Focus
- Adolescents
- Young Adults
- Adults
- Families
- Anxiety Disorders
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Depression
- Professional Training and Consultation
- Eating Disorders
- Impulse Control Disorders
Accreditations & Qualifications
Hospital/University Affiliations
Dr. Holtzman is an assistant clinical professor at Yale University School of Medicine.
In operation since: 2003
Payment
Out of network; receipts provided for clients to use to seek reimbursement from insurance companies.
Dialectical and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center Therapists
Kevin Holtzman, PsyD
Dr. Holtzman is a licensed clinical psychologist. He received his Psy.D. from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and is a graduate of the University of Illinois where he earned a B.S. in psychology. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at Yale University School of Medicine. Also at Yale, Dr. Holtzman completed a 2-year post-doctoral fellowship as part of a training grant he was awarded by the National Institute of Drug Administration.
Dr. Holtzman has had extensive training in DBT and CBT and is fluent in the use of both therapies. He has been intensively trained in DBT by an organization headed by the developer of DBT, Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. He has particular expertise in using DBT and CBT in the treatment of anxiety and eating disorders, depression, alcohol and drug use, and borderline personality disorder. At Yale, Dr. Holtzman co-led two clinical trials that looked at the effectiveness of DBT compared to other “talk therapies.” He has given several talks and trainings on DBT and CBT. Dr. Holtzman continues to provide supervision in both therapies. In addition, he is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale University School of Medicine.
Alison H. Emel, PhD
Dr. Emel is a licensed clinical psychologist. She completed her graduate work at the New School for Social Research in New York City where she earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and a M.A. in General Psychology with a concentration in mental health and substance abuse counseling. She also received her B.A. in Psychology from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. Dr. Emel completed her pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the Center for Intensive Treatment of Personality Disorders at St. Luke’s – Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City where she was trained in DBT. She was then hired by the hospital as a Supervising Psychologist to develop a specialized and individualized DBT program for difficult to engage patients. She is particularly skilled in the treatment of personality disorders, especially borderline personality disorder, as well as the treatment of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, anger management and substance abuse. Dr. Emel is a Westport native who has returned to Fairfield County.
Alisa G. Crossfield, PhD
Dr. Crossfield is a licensed clinical psychologist. She earned her B.A. in psychology from Carnegie Mellon University, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. She then earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Temple University in Philadelphia. While at Temple, Dr. Crossfield was awarded a Faculty Commendation for Excellence based on research activities. She co-authored several articles on the development of depression and conducted research on the developmental origins of eating disorders. Dr. Crossfield completed her pre-doctoral internship in Philadelphia at Friends Hospital where she received specialized training in working with adolescents and eating disorders. She then completed her post-doctoral training in a private practice in Bucks County Pennsylvania, working with individuals across the lifespan. In addition to private practice, Dr. Crossfield held an adjunct faculty appointment at Rider University in New Jersey. Dr. Crossfield integrates a Cognitive Behavioral and Dialectical Behavioral approach to treatment. She specializes in working with eating disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, and self-injury in both adults and adolescents.
Kristie Hartman Calvillo, LCSW
Ms. Calvillo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She earned her BA in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and then completed her graduate work at Columbia University School of Social Work. Following graduation, Ms. Calvillo worked at Weston United Transitional Living Community providing therapeutic services to adults with serious psychiatric illnesses. Ms. Calvillo was then awarded two post-graduate fellowships at Yale University School of Medicine, where she first began her work in DBT with adults. After completing the two fellowships, Ms. Calvillo worked as a therapist at Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital’s (YPH) Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program where she led the reimplementation of a DBT track in the program. After leaving YPH, Ms. Calvillo returned to Yale University, School of Medicine’s Cedarhurst School, a therapeutic school for adolescents with psychiatric illnesses. While at Cedarhurst, in addition to providing clinical services, Ms. Calvillo supervised social work fellows and led DBT groups for both students and parents. Prior to joining the Dialectical and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center, Ms. Calvillo was at Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, CT where she served as a primary therapist and assisted in the development and implementation of a residential DBT program for adolescents. Ms. Calvillo specializes in using DBT with adults and adolescents in the treatment of a broad range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, school phobia and borderline personality disorder.
Margaret Horton, LCSW
Ms. Horton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She earned a BA in English from Colgate University and is a graduate of Columbia, where she earned a Masters in Social Work. Following graduation, Ms. Horton worked for the International Rescue Committee, managing projects to provide services to refugee women and youth. She began her work as a therapist working for Operation Hope, providing clinical case management services to individuals with severe and persistent psychiatric disorders. She then went on to the Center for Women and Families, where she helped to create a clinical services program for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Prior to joining the Center, Ms. Horton worked for a number of years at Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, CT where she served as a primary therapist and skills training group leader in both the DBT and Dual Diagnosis residential programs. She also developed and managed the Women’s Intensive Outpatient Program and provided clinical supervision to masters level social work students and newly graduated social workers seeking clinical licensure. She has presented to NASW-CT and other community organizations on incorporating mindfulness into clinical practice. Ms. Horton specializes in using CBT and DBT to help adolescents and adults with a broad range of issues, including depression and anxiety disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, in particular borderline personality disorder, and substance use.
Denise Laframboise, PhD
Dr. Laframboise is a licensed clinical psychologist. She completed an Sc.B. with honors in psychology at Brown University and received her M.S. and Ph.D. from The University of New Mexico in Clinical Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Psychology. Her pre-doctoral internship was completed at the University of Vermont working in a partial hospital program that utilized Cognitive Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She then completed a two year post-doctoral fellowship in the Yale University Department of Psychology, at the Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders. On completing her post-doctoral training she worked as a full-time faculty member for eight years in the Department of Psychology at The University of Hartford. While at the University of Hartford, Dr. Laframboise was a core faculty member in the Clinical Practices in Psychology Master’s program, mentoring graduate students and teaching psychotherapy, Cognitive and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Professional Issues, and supervision of Master’s level trainees in their practicum placements. Her undergraduate teaching focused on Theories of Psychotherapy, Stress and Stress Management and Positive Psychology, and her research focused on body image and eating disorders.
Dr. Laframboise has extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral approaches. She is intensively trained in DBT, and has training with other mindfulness-based approaches to therapy. Her practice focuses on treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder, Eating Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, and Substance Abuse.
