Our Research

Dr. Brian Berman is a full-time clinical psychologist at Retreat Behavioral Health and heads the Retreat Research Team. Dr. Berman and his team aim to advance the science of evidence-based practices for substance use and mental health disorders. Their research on the “Choice Point” Model of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has aided Dr. Berman in developing Choice Point for Substances (CHOPS), a cutting-edge intervention for substance use and co-occurring disorders.

Dr. Berman and his team are the foremost authority on the application Choice Point for Substances. Their research study “The Choice Point Model of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Inpatient Substance Use and Co-occurring Populations: A Pilot Study,” was recently published in the peer reviewed journal Frontiers in Psychology. A contemporary approach to the treatment of co-occurring disorders, CHOPS evidenced tangible results for Retreat residents. The study demonstrated that residents who completed CHOPS programming exhibited greater emotional acceptance, healthier life choices, and increases self-compassion. In other words, patients were less likely to escape emotional pain and were better able to engage in self-kindness and effective decision making. This is significant and suggests that Retreat residents learn the mental health and recovery skills necessary for success!

Additionally, because benefits occurred within the first two weeks, Retreat residents may expect improvement early in treatment. Observed “sleeper effects” suggest that therapeutic benefits were not only maintained after discharge but improved upon following treatment. This finding is particularly exciting as it indicates that CHOPS programming at Retreat helps patients continue to develop their skills in the long-term.