Marriage and Family Therapy

Dr. Frontman uses a range of skills and methodologies to help couples and families diminish self-defeating behaviors and establish effective ways to meet goals and the challenges of family life. He has a diverse background in marriage and family therapy, training with many of the innovators in the field. He began family therapy training in San Antonio, Texas in 1985, where he completed an Externship Training at the Community Counseling Clinic at Our Lady of the Lake University. There he developed clinical skills from a diverse range of short-term therapy models. Later in his doctoral training, he obtained further training in solution focused methods at the Family Therapy doctoral program at Texas Tech University. He continued his specialization in family approaches in his internship at the renowned Dallas Child Guidance Clinic, the second oldest child guidance clinic in the nation. He worked directly under the supervision of Anna Beth Benningfield, two-time President of AAMFT (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists).

In 1992, Dr. Frontman obtained his Clinical Membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT), the national certification for MFT therapy in the nation. In his Systems Oriented work, he now helps couples build their relationship such that they discover their strengths and build the type of relationship and family life that they truly want. 

Substance Abuse

In Dallas Texas, Dr. Frontman completed an in-patient rotation in alcohol dependency at the Dallas VA Medical Center and then in 1993 was awarded a Post Doctoral Fellowship in the Chemical Addiction Program at the VA Medical Center. During his fellowship tenure, he worked on a multidisciplinary team, providing group therapy, individual treatment planning, testing, and educational programming for patients. He also worked with other Fellows in Occupational Therapy, Nursing, and Social Work in developing a couple’s group program.

In his counseling center work, Dr. Frontman coordinated assessment and group counseling programs for substance abuse for several years. He also became a Certified Instructor, certified by the Prevention Research Institute, teaching the Prime for Life substance abuse educational course for college students. In his practice he became a certified evaluator and treatment provider for the Georgia Multiple DUI Offender Program.

Currently, Dr. Frontman uses his expertise in the area to identify and address substance abuse problems in all of his clinical work. He is able to work with individuals who present with substance abuse problems at all ends of the spectrum. In his practice, this involves working with clients following treatment, by preventing or treating relapses, as well as working with clients who may not see their use as a problem. His many years of clinical experience allow him to address these sensitive problems tactfully in sensible, practical ways. Dr. Frontman stays informed of research developments in the ever-changing field of addiction through updates from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and other resources.

Group Therapy

"Changes" is the on-going interpersonal psychotherapy group for adults that  is on Tuesdays, 6 - 7:30 PM.  Please contact Dr. Frontman if you want to be screened for group.  Dr. Frontman has over 25 years experience in leading groups and views group therapy as the treatment of choice for many types of problems.  Dr. Frontman began his training in group therapy in 1985 and since that time he has facilitated groups at the Dallas VA Chemical Addiction Program, Jewish Family Services (Interpersonal Groups & Cancer Support Groups), Bexar County Women's Center, Georgia Tech Counseling Center, and in private practice.  By 1994 he completed the requirements for full clinical membership in the American Group Psychotherapy Association and in 1996 became Certified with the National Registry of Certified Group Psychotherapists. Throughout the year he continues to further his education in group methods to satisfy requirements for his group psychotherapy certification.   Dr. Frontman is a System’s Oriented therapist,  who continually trains in Systems-Centered Training both regionally and nationally.  By continuously being involved in training, he stays aware and abreast of innovations in the fields of group dynamics, communication, and group therapy. 

Anxiety & Depression

Dr. Frontman's practice is dominated by work with individuals dealing with anxiety and depressive mood symptoms. A focal point of his practice is employing treatment methods most effective in remedying these symptoms.  His treatment methods are especially effective in reducing anxiety and mood disorder symptoms, as well as helping individuals and couples undo such symptoms before they become probematic; thereby reducing the recurrences of symptom episodes and preventing relapse.  He works in  conjunction with concurrent psychiatric treatments and provides referrals for psychiatric consultation when warranted.

Personality and Chronic Interpersonal Problems

Many maladaptive patterns in interpersonal functioning are related to ways of coping developed in childhood and in earlier life experiences. Ways of coping in life become outmoded; however, many times we continue to use coping and social skills that are not effective in the current life context. Therapy can be effective in identifying such patterns and modifying them to fit current needs. Past traumatic experiences also may evoke styles of adapting that later in life may interfere with effective styles of relating, both personally and professionally. Dr. Frontman employs clinical methods designed to address such patterns and develop new, adaptive styles of relating and approaching goals. Dr. Frontman works with trauma and has a broad referral base for trauma based treatments in the community as well.

 

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)