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Catherine A. Forneris, PhD, ABPP

Accepting New Patients
(Catherine A. Forneris, PhD, ABPP)

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Specializes in: Psychiatry and General Practice
Professional interests include: dialectical behavior therapy, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
101 MANNING DRIVE
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Catherine A. Forneris, PhD, ABPP is a general practitioner in Chapel Hill, NC specializing in psychiatry and general practice. Catherine A. Forneris, PhD, ABPP is affiliated with UNC Health, UNC Hospitals and UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL.

View Provider's Full Profile (984) 974-1000

Office Locations

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Address:

101 MANNING DRIVE
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

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Some issues Catherine A. Forneris, PhD, ABPP can help you with:

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is a form of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) that was originally developed to help the most severely mentally ill and depressed patients accept therapy. It relies on the same concept in CBT that examines the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and actions, but in DBT the emphasis is first on acceptance rather than change. There is also an emphasis on mindfulness, 'being in the moment,' and relaxation techniques such as yoga. These are combined with a great deal of validation and encouragement from the therapist.

The word 'dialectical' means acting through opposing forces, and this word refers to a few different opposing concepts in DBT:

  • The therapy combines traditional Western psychotherapy techniques with Eastern religious philosophy.
  • Patients must learn that life, thoughts, and feelings are not all black and white -- there are many shades of grey.
  • The therapy works on accepting and validating the patient for being where they are at the moment while also encouraging them to change for the better.

Dialectical behavior therapy was developed when therapists attempting to use CBT techniques on the most seriously ill patients ran into a problem. When they suggested that a patient change their thoughts, these very vulnerable patients would become overwhelmed and turn aggressive or suicidal. DBT was developed to support these patients with acceptance and validation while still guiding them towards changing problematic thoughts. Although also used for suicidal and self-harming patients today, these days, DBT is mainly used to treat borderline personality disorder. It is one of the few effective interventions for this serious illness.

DBT has been shown to be very effective at reducing self-destructive behavior. It can also be used to teach new coping skills and increase a patient's self-esteem and motivation to become healthier.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that people may develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. PTSD causes recurring nightmares, flashbacks, and disturbing memories about the traumatic event. It is frequently triggered by particularly intense and life-threatening incidents. For example, someone involved in a serious car accident may have severe anxiety about the accident months or even years later. War veterans and people involved in armed conflict are particularly prone to developing PTSD. In decades past, PTSD was called shellshock and was used to describe the negative emotions that soldiers endured from war. Today, medical professionals who treat PTSD recognize that it can occur in all types of people and can result from all types of traumatic incidents. It is not known exactly why some people develop PTSD, although PTSD frequently arises from:

  • Accidents
  • Sexual or physical assault
  • Combat
  • Childhood abuse
  • Domestic abuse
  • Natural disasters
  • Torture and kidnapping

People who have experienced significant and repeated trauma are more likely to develop PTSD. Those who have disorders like depression or a family history of depression may also be more prone to PTSD. PTSD symptoms typically begin one month to one year following the traumatic event. There are four main categories of PTSD symptoms:

  • Intrusive memories: Intrusive memories include unwanted memories, feelings of reliving the traumatic event, distressing nightmares, and emotional disturbances from triggers (signs that serve as reminders of the traumatic event). Intrusive memories can lead to elevated heart rate, anxiety, combativeness (fight), withdrawal (flight), and many other responses.
  • Avoidance: Avoidance is an attempt to avoid speaking or thinking about an upsetting event. People with this response might also try to avoid certain people or locations that prompt memories of an event.
  • Changes in physical and emotional reactions: These changes may include difficulty sleeping, hypervigilance, self-destructive behavior, and feelings of guilt and irritability.
  • Alterations in cognition and mood: Alterations can cause negative self-beliefs, depression, shame, and detachment from others.

The intensity and frequency of these symptoms can vary over time. PTSD symptoms may suddenly return after disappearing for years. Many PTSD patients find treatment helps to gradually reduce their symptoms over time.

The most common treatments for PTSD are psychotherapy and oral medications. Psychotherapy for PTSD can include cognitive therapy (therapy to change thought patterns), exposure therapy (therapy to confront memories of the traumatic incident) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR). EMDR integrates exposure therapy with guided eye movements to help patients confront and process their trauma. Certain oral medications may help with PTSD, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. Self-care, support groups, and relaxation may also benefit those with PTSD.

The path to overcoming PTSD can be long and challenging and people with PTSD can benefit greatly by seeking professional treatment from a mental health care provider. Treatment can reduce PTSD symptoms, provide essential coping strategies, and improve one's quality of life.

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Catherine A. Forneris, PhD, ABPP for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Catherine A. Forneris, PhD, ABPP treated as a general practitioner in Chapel Hill, NC were mental health therapy.

mental health therapy 205

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Catherine A. Forneris, PhD, ABPP.

Ethnicity
Black / African American
Asian / Pacific Islander
Non-Hispanic White 1
Native American / Alaskan Native
Hispanic
Other
Age
75 to 84
85 and over
Less than 65 2
65 to 74

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Catherine A. Forneris, PhD, ABPP From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Catherine A. Forneris, PhD, ABPP treated were depression, hypertension, high cholesterol and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension 69
High Cholesterol 32
Stroke
Ischemic Heart Disease 5
Depression 79
Chronic Kidney Disease 4
Asthma
Osteoporosis
Heart Failure
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Diabetes 4
Atrial Fibrillation
Cancer
Dementia

Education & Training

She has a state license in North Carolina.

Licensed In: North Carolina

Affiliations & Hospitals

Catherine A. Forneris, PhD, ABPP is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

UNC Health
UNC Hospitals
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Catherine A. Forneris, PhD, ABPP appears to accept the following insurance providers: Cigna, MedCost, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, WellCare, AmeriHealth Caritas, BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), Humana, Contigo Health, Carolina Complete Health, Veterans Affairs and Liberty Advantage.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Catherine A. Forneris, PhD, ABPP accepts the following insurance providers:

Cigna
MedCost
Aetna
UnitedHealthcare
WellCare
AmeriHealth Caritas
BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina (BCBSNC)
Humana
Contigo Health
Carolina Complete Health
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Ratings & Reviews

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Biography

Dr. Catherine Forneris is a specialist in general practice and psychiatry in Chapel Hill, NC. Dr. Forneris most likely takes BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue California, as well as other insurance carriers. According to Yext, she is currently accepting new patients at her office in Chapel Hill, NC.

Other Providers in Chapel Hill, NC