Evidence-based support for greater stability and daily functioning
If you have bipolar disorder, changes in mood and energy may affect your sleep, relationships, work, decisions, and ability to manage everyday responsibilities. At times, your symptoms may feel manageable. At other times, they may make your life feel unpredictable or difficult to balance.
You may also be seeking guidance because you are concerned about someone you love.
Dr. Irwin Rosenfarb provides bipolar disorder therapy in San Diego and online across California for adults and their families. He uses empirically supported approaches to help clients understand their individual mood patterns, recognize early signs of change, strengthen supportive routines, and improve day-to-day functioning.
Bipolar disorder can require ongoing treatment, but it does not have to define every part of your life. With appropriate medical care, psychotherapy, and support, it is possible to manage symptoms and work toward a more stable and satisfying life.
How Bipolar Disorder Can Affect Your Life
Bipolar disorder is associated with significant shifts in mood, energy, activity, and concentration. The severity and frequency of mood episodes can vary from person to person, so treatment should reflect your experiences and needs.
During periods of mania or hypomania, you may notice increased energy, reduced need for sleep, rapid speech, racing thoughts, irritability, or changes in judgment. These shifts can sometimes contribute to impulsive decisions, financial problems, relationship conflicts, or other risky behavior.
During depressive periods, you may experience sadness, low energy, difficulty concentrating, withdrawal, hopelessness, or loss of interest in activities. Work, relationships, and ordinary routines may require much more effort.
Some people use alcohol or other substances in an attempt to manage uncomfortable symptoms. Although this may offer temporary relief, substance use can create additional difficulties and interfere with treatment.
Recognizing Early Changes in Mood
Learning to identify your early warning signs can help you respond before symptoms cause greater disruption.
Your signs may include sleeping less, feeling unusually energetic, taking on many new activities, talking more quickly, spending impulsively, or becoming more irritable. At other times, you may notice fatigue, withdrawal, sadness, trouble concentrating, or a loss of interest in activities.
Therapy can help you understand your individual patterns, identify factors that may contribute to mood changes, and develop a plan for responding when warning signs appear.
How Therapy Can Help
The goals of bipolar disorder treatment in San Diego and online across California depend on your symptoms, circumstances, and priorities. Psychotherapy may help you:
- Recognize early changes in mood and energy
- Create more consistent sleep and daily routines
- Identify thoughts and behaviors that contribute to difficulties
- Develop strategies for managing stress
- Strengthen communication and relationships
- Improve problem-solving and decision-making
- Address symptoms of depression
- Better understand personal triggers and needs
- Coordinate care with psychiatrists and other medical providers
The goal is to build the awareness, skills, routines, and support needed to manage the condition more effectively.
CBT for Bipolar Disorder
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be one component of treatment. CBT for bipolar disorder helps clients examine how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence one another.
Dr. Rosenfarb may help you recognize unhelpful thinking patterns, respond more effectively to stress, and change behaviors that interfere with stability. CBT is not about forcing yourself to think positively. It involves developing responses that are more realistic, constructive, and consistent with your goals.
Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy
Dr. Rosenfarb also uses Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy, an approach that focuses on the connection between mood, relationships, and daily routines.
Regular sleep, meals, work, recreation, and social activity can support greater consistency. Therapy can help you identify disruptions in these rhythms and develop practical strategies for restoring balance. It can also address relationship conflicts, changes in social roles, and interpersonal stress that may affect your mood.
The objective is not to create a rigid or restrictive life. It is to develop enough structure to support stability while allowing room for flexibility and meaningful activities.
Family Support and Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder can also affect partners and family members. The people close to you may feel uncertain about mood changes or unsure how to respond in a helpful way.
Depending on your needs, therapy may involve family members or partners. This work can help everyone better understand bipolar disorder, recognize warning signs, communicate more effectively, reduce conflict, and provide support without taking away the individual’s independence.
An Experienced Psychologist for Bipolar Disorder
Dr. Rosenfarb is a licensed psychologist with more than 40 years of experience. He completed postdoctoral training at UCLA with Dr. David Miklowitz, the developer of Family-Focused Treatment for bipolar disorder. Dr. Rosenfarb is also the former Director of the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Alliant University, San Diego, and is currently Professor Emeritus in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at CSPP/Alliant International University. He has served as principal investigator on an NIMH research grant and authored more than 100 publications and presentations. As a therapist for bipolar disorder in San Diego and online across California, he provides collaborative treatment shaped around each client’s mood patterns, relationships, routines, strengths, and goals.
Therapy as Part of Comprehensive Treatment
Psychotherapy does not replace psychiatric or medical care. Many people with bipolar disorder take medication as part of treatment. Dr. Rosenfarb can support treatment participation and coordinate with your psychiatrist or other medical professionals when appropriate. Questions about medication should always be discussed with your prescribing clinician.
If you or someone you know may be in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you are experiencing emotional distress or thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This practice does not provide emergency or crisis services.
Bipolar Disorder Therapy in Scripps Ranch, Sorrento Valley, and online across California
Dr. Rosenfarb provides bipolar disorder therapy at offices in Scripps Ranch and Sorrento Valley serving adults and families from throughout San Diego. He also provides bipolar disorder online for adults and families throughout California.
If you are looking for support with bipolar disorder, contact Dr. Rosenfarb to schedule an introductory phone conversation and learn whether therapy may be right for you or your family.