Therapy Services - Dr. Charles Zapata - Forensic & Traditional Therapist in the DMV

Anyone can benefit from therapy and everyone has a unique story to tell. Using an evidence-based and person-centered approach, the focus is always on meeting the individual, couple, or group where they are. Humans are complex – a variety of topics comprise therapeutic goals, so reaching out is encouraged, to gauge the potential of our working relationship, which is the top predictor of progress.

The alliance between therapist and client drives therapy. It is not a product, it is a process. It is pivotal for each client’s story to be heard without judgement and with complete acceptance. Therapy is not easy – it is directed by clients and guided by the therapist, while being mindful to where clients are and what goals they want to achieve without losing sight of their values.

Therapy addresses a variety of topics: stress management, sleep health, depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, marital/couples support, or simply when seeking a different and objective perspective.

Therapy is facilitated via a person-centered approach, while aiming evidence-based techniques at the issues clients present with:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Behavioral Activation
Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Prolonged Exposure (CE)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Exposure-Response Prevention
Social Rhythm Therapy

These techniques address a variety of symptoms often associated with problems or diagnoses of:

Major Depressive Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Personality Disorders
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Anger and aggression
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Sleep Disturbance/Insomnia

Working in the high ops tempo environment of the first responder profession inherently carries its own unique stressors. A background in first responder and military operations is crucial to understanding and providing support to police officers, fire fighters, EMTs, nurses, physicians, and military personnel.

Clients from all walks of life are welcome to seek support. A requirement of providers at Zapata Clinical & Forensic Consulting is first responder experience in some capacity – military, police officer, nurse, EMT, firefighter, etc. Dr. Zapata served as a police officer, military psychologist (responding to critical incidents), and embedded consultant for a law enforcement agency. John Doleski served as a social worker for CPS and embedded within a law enforcement agency; he has also extensively served the military population.

First responders not only confront the stressors of their duties on the street, in public, or at the station, they must also tend to responsibilities at home while managing odd & long work hours. Burnout can quickly or slowly creep in, resulting in compromised work performance and resentment towards others.

Similar to how therapy is generally facilitated via a person-centered approach, insight into first responder operations helps to facilitate problems unique to these distinctive professions.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Behavioral Activation
Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Prolonged Exposure (CE)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Exposure-Response Prevention
Harm Reduction
Social Rhythm Therapy

These techniques address a variety of symptoms often associated with problems or diagnoses of:

Major Depressive Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Personality Disorders
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Anger and aggression
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Substance Use
Sleep Disturbance/Insomnia

Feeling as if you are being forced into therapy can be difficult. Therapy in this context is no different. While treatment goals will be discussed to aim at meeting the mandated requirements and expectations, therapy begins where the client is most comfortable. However, effort on the client’s part is an inevitable component which takes time, courage, and patience.

Mandated therapy also benefits from well-known therapy approaches. It is not very different from general (or self-referred) therapy. The primary difference is….what and who brought you into therapy – was it the court, your job, your school, or someone/thing else? Many, if not all, of the same therapy approaches will be used. There are no surprises – no special treatment method because you are being mandated. Nevertheless, working through the discomfort of why you are in therapy and maintaining an open mind are critical to progress.

Just like general therapy, you as the client directs therapy, while the therapist provides guidance.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Behavioral Activation
Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Prolonged Exposure (CE)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Exposure-Response Prevention
Harm Reduction
Social Rhythm Therapy

These techniques address a variety of symptoms often associated with problems or diagnoses of:

Major Depressive Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Personality Disorders
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Anger and aggression
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Substance Use
Sleep Disturbance/Insomnia

Some mandated reasons for therapy include:

Anger-aggression management.
Sex offender treatment as part of the outcome of a case.
Drug abuse.
Reunification after combat deployment.
First responder response/exposure to a highly critical incident and/or loss of life on-the-job.
Working on your functioning to address disability.
Return to school/work due to a risk/threat of violence to self/others.