Ira S. Halper, M.D. is a Board certified psychiatrist who specializes in both cognitive therapy and psychopharmacology.
Dr.
Halper received his B.A. from Northwestern University and his M.D. from
Northwestern University Medical School. After an internship at Michael
Reese Hospital, his psychiatric residency was at the University of
Illinois at Chicago. Following his residency, Dr. Halper joined the
faculty of the University of Illinois and became the Assistant Director
of its Psychiatry Clinic.
After several years Dr. Halper moved
to Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center to become the psychiatric
consultant to its Chronic Hemodialysis Program and to expand his
private practice. There he had extensive clinical experience in the
field of psychosomatic medicine. When Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical
Center reactivated Rush Medical College, Dr. Halper joined its faculty.
He currently is a Senior Attending Psychiatrist and an Assistant
Professor of Psychiatry at Rush University Medical Center, the new name
for Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center. Dr. Halper's contributions
to the Department of Psychiatry at Rush include serving as its Director
of Continuing Medical Education and coordinating its quality assurance
activities.
After more than a decade of practicing general
psychiatry, Dr. Halper established the Cognitive Therapy Center in the
Department of Psychiatry at Rush University Medical Center to offer the
model of cognitive therapy developed by Aaron T. Beck, M.D. at the
University of Pennsylvania for the treatment of depression.
Subsequently, Dr. Halper added additional cognitive behavioral
protocols to meet the needs of patients suffering from anxiety
disorders and other disorders. Dr. Halper has had more than 25 years of
experience in the use of cognitive and behavioral therapies and was a
pioneer in the combined use of cognitive therapy and pharmacologic
treatment.
Dr. Halper's wide interests include the effect of
religious ideas and values on psychological functioning. His membership
in professional societies includes the Association for Behavioral and
Cognitive Therapies and the American Society of Clinical
Psychopharmacology. Dr. Halper is a fellow of the American Psychiatric
Association and a certified member of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy.
The treatments offered by Dr. Halper and the Cognitive Therapy
Center include cognitive therapy, psychopharmacology, behavior therapy,
and marital therapy. The disorders treated by Dr. Halper and the
Cognitive Therapy Center include depression, bipolar disorder, panic
disorder, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic
stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, trichotillomania and
skin picking.
For additional information, contact Dr. Halper's Office Manager, Christie, at (312) 226-0300.
Ira S. Halper's Staff Information
Additional information can be obtained from Christie at (312) 226-0300.
Cognitive Therapy Center at Rush Univ. Med Center
The
Cognitive Therapy Center is a clinical and academic component of the
Department of Psychiatry at Rush University Medical Center. It offers
evaluation and treatment of individuals suffering from a variety of
psychological problems and psychiatric disorders, including depression,
anxiety, psychosomatic disorders and personality problems. Cognitive
therapy is often effective when used alone. In some cases patients are
treated with a combination of cognitive therapy and medication or
cognitive therapy and other psychotherapeutic techniques. We are also
using cognitive therapy to treat couples.
Individuals who are
interested in being treated with cognitive therapy are seen for an
evaluation by Ira S. Halper, M.D., the Director of the Center. This
evaluation can usually be completed in one visit. Dr. Halper is a Board
certified psychiatrist and is certified by the Academy of Cognitive
Therapy. He has an interest in both psychopharmacology and cognitive
therapy and has had a number of years of experience in the use of
cognitive and behavioral therapies. In addition to the clinical
interview, we sometimes administer psychological tests. The psychiatric
evaluation and the psychological tests are helpful in designing a
treatment plan and in shortening the therapy. Treatment is done by Dr.
Halper and by Kevin L. Gyoerkoe, Psy.D., a psychologist who is also
experienced in the use of cognitive and behavioral therapies.
Cognitive
therapy is an active, structured and often short-term form of
psychotherapy. It is based on the rationale that the way an individual
views the world has a major influence on his emotions and behavior.
Cognitions (thoughts or mental pictures) are based on beliefs and
assumptions developed from previous experiences. Dysfunctional
cognitions often lead to unpleasant feelings and maladaptive behavior.
For example, the depressed individual tends to have a negative view of
himself, his experiences and his future. A variety of cognitive and
behavioral strategies are employed to help the individual recognize the
connection between automatic thoughts, emotions and behavior and help
him substitute reality-oriented interpretations for dysfunctional
beliefs.
Rush University Medical Center and its Department of
Psychiatry have a national reputation in patient care, education and
research. For additional information about the Cognitive Therapy Center
and to schedule an appointment, contact Christie at 312-226-0300.
