Finding Level Ground: Specialized Treatment for Bipolar I & II
Living with Bipolar Disorder can feel like being at the mercy of the weather. One season brings the electric, high-speed energy of mania or hypomania, and the next brings a crushing, impenetrable fog of depression. This cycle is more than just “ups and downs”—it is a biological condition that impacts your sleep, your relationships, your career, and your very sense of self.
At Cedar Tree Counseling of Oklahoma, we move beyond just “managing symptoms.” We provide a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to help you find your “level ground.” We believe that a diagnosis of Bipolar I or II is not a life sentence to instability, but a starting point for building a life of rhythm, resilience, and profound self-awareness.
Understanding the Spectrum: Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
While they share a name, Bipolar I and II present unique challenges that require specialized clinical understanding.
- Bipolar I Disorder: Characterized by at least one manic episode that may last a week or more. Mania can involve extreme energy, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, and sometimes a break from reality (psychosis). These highs are often followed by periods of severe clinical depression.
- Bipolar II Disorder: Often more difficult to diagnose, Bipolar II involves a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes. Hypomania is a less severe version of mania—you may feel highly productive, social, or creative—but it is followed by deep, debilitating “lows” that can last for weeks or months.
Our Comprehensive Treatment Framework
Because Bipolar Disorder is a multi-faceted condition, we utilize a “Whole-Person” approach that integrates biological, psychological, and social strategies.
1. Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT)
One of the most effective treatments for Bipolar Disorder is the stabilization of “social rhythms.” We help you design a lifestyle that protects your circadian rhythms—focusing on consistent sleep/wake cycles, meal times, and activity levels. By stabilizing these biological anchors, we help reduce the frequency and intensity of mood episodes.
2. Collaborative Medication Support
While our therapists do not prescribe medication, we believe that for most individuals with Bipolar Disorder, therapy works best in tandem with psychiatric care. We work collaboratively with your psychiatrist or medical provider to ensure your therapeutic goals and medication management are in perfect alignment.
3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Bipolar (CBT-BP)
We help you identify the “early warning signs” (prodromes) of an upcoming shift in mood. By recognizing the subtle changes in your thoughts or behaviors before a full manic or depressive episode occurs, we can implement “rescue plans” to keep you grounded and safe.
4. Healing the Relational Impact
Bipolar Disorder doesn’t just affect the individual; it affects the people they love. We provide a space to process the grief, guilt, or relational strain that often follows a period of instability. We work with you to repair connections and build a support system that understands your needs.
Specialized Modalities for Stability
We utilize specific, advanced tools to help you navigate the extremes:
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills: Teaching distress tolerance and emotional regulation to help you stay “in the middle” when emotions feel overwhelming.
- Relapse Prevention Planning: Creating a concrete, written roadmap for you and your loved ones to follow during times of crisis.
- Identity Reconstruction: Helping you separate your true personality from your symptoms, ensuring that “Bipolar” is something you have, not who you are.
Why Expertise Matters
Treating Bipolar Disorder requires a therapist who understands the nuance of the condition—someone who knows that “feeling great” might actually be the start of a hypomanic episode, or that “laziness” is often the paralyzing weight of biological depression. At Cedar Tree Counseling, our specialists provide the clinical rigor and the compassionate, long-term partnership necessary to help you thrive.
Stability is Possible. Let’s Build It Together. Treating Bipolar Disorder in Tulsa, OK
You don’t have to navigate the highs and lows alone. If you are seeking a path toward a more predictable, balanced, and fulfilling life in Tulsa, OK, our Bipolar specialists and therapists are here to guide you. It’s time to stop just “surviving” the cycle and start building a life on solid ground. Contact Cedar Tree Counseling today to schedule your confidential consultation and begin your journey toward lasting stability.