What We Treat
Anxiety
Behavioral Difficulties in Children
Anxiety
The experience of anxiety or fear is an evolutionary trait, kind of like an alarm system , that is meant to make us safe by warning us about danger. However, false alarms sometimes develop - our mind/body is giving us a warning, when there isn't true danger in sight. In turn, we may worry excessively in an attempt to understand all the po
The experience of anxiety or fear is an evolutionary trait, kind of like an alarm system , that is meant to make us safe by warning us about danger. However, false alarms sometimes develop - our mind/body is giving us a warning, when there isn't true danger in sight. In turn, we may worry excessively in an attempt to understand all the possible outcomes and control what happens, or avoid certain situations to keep the feared outcome from occurring. Although these patterns may feel good in the short-term, actually worse anxiety in the long-term. Anxiety disorders include Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Specific Phobias, Separation Anxiety Disorder, and Selective Mutism (SM). Approximately 20% of individuals suffer from an anxiety disorder each year. However, anxiety disorders are highly treatable. Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBTs), such as exposure therapy or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), help individuals manage their experience of anxiety more effectively by facing fears and learning that the worst is likely not so probable, AND if it did happen, you could handle it, as incredibly challenging as it might be. Symptoms are also addressed through acceptance by learning to experience anxiety, without acting on it, and building tolerance of uncertainty.
OCD
Behavioral Difficulties in Children
Anxiety
Individuals with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) often experience distressing or scary thoughts that pop into their heads, and experience uncontrollable fear that something scary may occur. In order to lessen that fear, they may engage in behaviors repetitively in hopes that by doing so it will prevent the dreaded outcome. Unfortunate
Individuals with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) often experience distressing or scary thoughts that pop into their heads, and experience uncontrollable fear that something scary may occur. In order to lessen that fear, they may engage in behaviors repetitively in hopes that by doing so it will prevent the dreaded outcome. Unfortunately, this cycle worsens the fear, and strengthens the intensity of the obsessional fear and compulsive urges. It’s kind of like when you scratch a mosquito bite — it just makes the area more irritated. In order to treat OCD, we utilize Exposure and Response Prevention (E/RP), which is a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) specifically designed to help individuals face their fears in a gradual way and reduce the need to act out compulsions. We work with you on breaking the connection between your obsessive thoughts and related compulsive actions so that you can live a fulfilling life by focusing more on what is most important to you.
Behavioral Difficulties in Children
Behavioral Difficulties in Children
Difficulties of Young Adults & College Students
Children may exhibit problem behaviors such as non-compliance, aggression, or tantrums. In response, parents may become angry (understandably so) and get caught in a cycle of negative interactions. However, many strategies that parents use, such as yelling or arguing, might be effective in the short-term, but end up negatively impacting
Children may exhibit problem behaviors such as non-compliance, aggression, or tantrums. In response, parents may become angry (understandably so) and get caught in a cycle of negative interactions. However, many strategies that parents use, such as yelling or arguing, might be effective in the short-term, but end up negatively impacting the parent-child relationship and making the behaviors worse over time. These difficulties may take their toll on the entire family, and take a lot of time out of the day. The evidence-based treatment to address disruptive behaviors in children is providing parents with support to apply skills to manage the behaviors more effectively. Part of this approach includes identifying what factors are maintaining the behavior - what need is the child getting fulfilled by the problem behavior - and then applying strategies to increase more appropriate behaviors, and decrease the unwanted behaviors.
Difficulties of Young Adults & College Students
Difficulties of Young Adults & College Students
Difficulties of Young Adults & College Students
College-age individuals and "twentysomethings" experience a lot of significant life transitions all at once - increased responsibilities, questions about personal identity, more independence, changes in relationships, and more choices in life. Now more than ever, there is a lot of societal pressure to "have it all figured out," with caree
College-age individuals and "twentysomethings" experience a lot of significant life transitions all at once - increased responsibilities, questions about personal identity, more independence, changes in relationships, and more choices in life. Now more than ever, there is a lot of societal pressure to "have it all figured out," with careers, relationships, finances, etc. During this time period, we may ask ourselves the endless list of challenging questions of what to do next. And, to make matters worse, we may not always have concrete answers to these questions, and the reality is that most of the time, there might not be a "right answer." All of this is to say, the uncertainty of life may bring up increased anxiety, depression, or what I like the call the "twentysomething angst." In therapy, we will work with you to understand your values and create compatible goals, gain clarity on what your emotions are telling you and when your emotions may be giving you unhelpful information, and make balanced decisions based on a combination of values/goals, emotions, and facts.
Emotion Dysregulation
Difficulties of Young Adults & College Students
Emotion Dysregulation
Having strong emotions is something everyone experiences from time to time, especially in response to an upsetting or stressful situation. However, some individuals experience pervasive difficulties with regulating their emotions, may have fluctuations in their mood that are highly dependent on situational factors, or exhibit impulsive be
Having strong emotions is something everyone experiences from time to time, especially in response to an upsetting or stressful situation. However, some individuals experience pervasive difficulties with regulating their emotions, may have fluctuations in their mood that are highly dependent on situational factors, or exhibit impulsive behaviors. In treatment, we work with individuals to increase their mindfulness of emotions, learn skills to resist impulsive urges, regulate emotions, communicate more effectively, identify their values, and work towards their goals to create a rich and meaningful life.
PTSD
Difficulties of Young Adults & College Students
Emotion Dysregulation
Some people may experience a scary event in their lives that has an impact on them long after the event occurs. This may include directly experiencing the traumatic event, witnessing trauma, and even hearing about the trauma of others. Traumatic events may occur once, or include repeated exposure. Symptoms of a traumatic response can vary
Some people may experience a scary event in their lives that has an impact on them long after the event occurs. This may include directly experiencing the traumatic event, witnessing trauma, and even hearing about the trauma of others. Traumatic events may occur once, or include repeated exposure. Symptoms of a traumatic response can vary in type or duration. Approximately 1 of every 3 individuals that experience a trauma develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of PTSD can include intrusive memories, nightmares, and flashbacks, as well as avoidance of situations and settings that may remind someone of a trauma, or even avoiding having thoughts or feelings about the event. In addition, some individuals may experience self-blame, a distrust of others, and changes in mood, such as being in a consistently sad, fearful, or guilty mood. Finally, trauma survivors may be easily startled or irritated, act impulsively, as well as have difficulty with concentration and sleep. Treatments for PTSD include Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for children and adolescents, as well as Prolonged Exposure therapy for adults. We utilize these treatments to help individuals face their fears in response to the traumatic event.