The Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metropolitan area, a title designated by the U.S. Census as of 2003, encompasses 12 counties within the U.S. state of Texas. The metropolitan area is further divided into two metropolitan divisions: Dallas–Plano–Irving and Fort Worth–Arlington. Residents of the area informally refer to it as the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, or simply The Metroplex (the term was originally invented to refer to Dallas/Fort Worth), which is the economic and cultural hub of the region commonly called North Texas or North Central Texas. According to the U.S. Census July 1, 2007 estimates, the metropolitan area has a population of 6.1 million.[1] The Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington MSA is the largest metropolitan area in Texas and the fourth-largest in the United States. The metroplex also encompasses 9,286 square miles (24,100 km2) of total area: 8,991 sq mi (23,290 km2). is land, while 295 sq mi (760 km2). is water, making it larger in area than the U.S. states of Rhode Island and Connecticut combined. It is also the 4th largest metropolitan area by population and gross metropolitan product in the United States, but approximately tenth largest by GMP, in the world.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Doctors developed cognitive behavioral therapy as a method of preventing relapse when treating a patient with problem drinking. Later cognitive doctors adapted behavioral therapies to help individuals addicted to cocaine. Cognitive behavioral strategies stem from the theory that learning processes play a critical role in the development of maladaptive behavioral patterns. Individuals learn to identify and correct problematic behaviors by applying a range of different skills to stop drug abuse and to address other problems that often exist with it. Therapies for treating alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and nicotine exist. Cognitive behavioral therapy generally consists of a collection of strategies that aim to enhance self control. Specific techniques include: exploring the positive and negative consequences of continued use, monitoring oneself to recognize drug cravings early on and to identify risky situations for use and developing strategies for coping with and avoiding risky situations associated with the desire to use. A central element of cognitive behavioral therapy is anticipating problems and helping patients develop effective coping strategies. Research indicates that the skills individuals learn through cognitive behavioral approaches remain in use after the completion of treatment. In several studies, most people who choose a cognitive behavioral approach to recovery showed progress throughout the following year. Current research focuses on how to produce effects that are even more powerful by combining cognitive behavioral therapy with medications for drug abuse and with other types of behavioral therapies. Researchers are also evaluating how best to train treatment providers to deliver cognitive behavioral therapy.

Dermatology

Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails. Dermatologists have been leaders in the field of cosmetic surgery. Some dermatologists complete fellowships in surgical dermatology. Many train in their residency on the use of Botox, fillers, and laser surgery. Some dermatologists perform cosmetic procedures including liposuction, blepharoplasty, and face-lifts. Most dermatologists limit their cosmetic practice to minimally invasive procedures. Mohs surgery, developed in the 1930'a y Dr. Frederic E. Mohs, focuses on the excision of skin cancers using a tissue-sparing technique that allows intraoperative assessment of 100% of the peripheral and deep tumor margins . Physicians trained in this technique must be comfortable with both pathology and surgery, and dermatologists receive extensive training in both during their residency. Physicians who perform Mohs surgery can receive training in this specialized technique during their dermatology residency, but many will seek additional training either through preceptorships to join the American Society for Mohs Surgery or through formal one- to two-year Mohs surgery fellowship training programs administered by the American College of Mohs Surgery. Procedural Dermatology is concerned with the study, diagnosis, and surgical treatment of diseases of the skin and adjacent mucous membranes, cutaneous appendages, hair, nails, and subcutaneous tissue. Dermatologic surgical procedures are minimally invasive and may be performed safely in outpatient settings without general anesthesia or other intravascular physiologic alteration. An especially important technique is Mohs micrographic surgical excision, which treats cancers of the skin and incorporates training in clinical dermatology and dermatopathology as they apply to dermatologic surgery. Laser resurfacing is a technique used during laser surgery wherein dissolution of molecular bonds is by laser. It is for the treatment of wrinkles, solar lentigenes, sun damage, scars, stretch marks, actinic keratosis and telangiectasias or "spider veins". It can be with liposuction to remove excess fat from the chin and jaw area. Laser resurfacing can help tighten and smooth over the new contours.