I provide therapy for individuals (from school-age to geriatric), couples, families,
and groups. My specialties include:
- Addiction Treatment (Alcohol, Drugs, Sexual Compulsivity, Codependency)
- Anger Management
- Anxiety Disorders
- Blended Family Issues
- Career and Job Satisfaction Issues
- Issues associated with Chronic Illness
- Communication Problems
- Couples, Marital, and Family Issues
- Court-ordered Domestic Dispute Issues
- Depression/Mood Disorders
- Divorce Issues
- Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Issues
- Parenting and Step-Parenting Issues
- Physical and Sexual Abuse Issues
- Psychological Testing
- Self-Esteem Issues
- Hypnosis for Smoking Cessation, Weight Loss, Chronic Pain Management
- Social Security and other Disability Evaluation
According to research estimates, about one person in five experiences feelings
of clinical depression during their life. One in twenty people become depressed
every year. Depression is often called the common cold of mental illness. Untreated,
depression can cause serious problems for the person experiencing these symptoms,
and for those around them at home, work or school. It is important to know that
depression, like other types of psychological problems, is not a sign of weakness
and can be treated.
People who are depressed often experience feelings of profound sadness,
helplessness, hopelessness, trouble sleeping (or sleeping too much), lack of
appetite (or eating too much), guilt, trouble concentrating and making decisions,
low self-esteem, lack of energy and motivation, lowered sexual desire, anxiety,
irritability and a sense of disconnection from significant people and activities
they enjoyed before. Some have thoughts of death or suicidal feelings. Some try to
handle their depression on their own by using alcohol or drugs.
Although the causes of depression are not fully understood, a combination of
genetic/family history and environmental (daily stress, job, health, or
relationship problems) conditions are often seen as contributing. Alcohol and drug
abuse as well as other types of addictive behavior have also been associated with
depression. According to research studies, the best treatment for depression seems
to be a combination of psychotherapy and medication.
Anxiety disorders have been estimated by some researchers to impact one in nine
people annually. There are various types of anxiety disorders, including phobias,
social anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and generalized
anxiety disorder.
People with anxiety disorders tend to have a feeling that their problem
restricts them from thinking clearly and concentrating on their work, their
studies in school, and their relationships with others. Irrational fears can
develop, as do physical symptoms including racing heart beat, dizziness, muscle
tension numbness, stomach pain, sweating, shaking, and shortness of breath.
Sometimes, painful or traumatic memories are re-experienced. Often, people with
anxiety exhibit low self-esteem and cope poorly with stress.
As is the case in treating depression, a combination of therapy and medication
is often most effective for treating anxiety disorders. Again, similarly to
depression, anxiety is thought to be caused by a combination of life stressors
and genetic family history.
Addictive behavior creates an especially devastating block to psychological
health and to functioning in relationships and work/school environments. Addictions
can include not only alcohol and drug abuse, but also addictive behavior involving
many other areas like exercise, work , sex, food, gambling and relationships. These
disorders are increasingly common in our society.
The causes of addictive behavior are not fully understood, but as with depression,
anxiety, and other psychological disorders, are thought by researchers to be
influenced by both environmental and genetic/family history.
Treatment often involves therapy along with participation in twelve step self-help
groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. Twelve step groups are offered for all types of
addictive behaviors. Since addiction may co-exist with anxiety, depression, or other
psychological problems, the addition of medication to address these issues is often
part of treatment planning.
Our significant other relationships provide us with great joy, fulfillment and
opportunities for intimacy. They also bring challenges, conflict, frustration and
confusion. Many couples experience problems with communication, difficulty
balancing time with their friends and careers with time spent with their partner,
struggles with the balance of power control in the relationship, money conflict,
sexual problems, different priorities about how to spend leisure time, and issues
from their families of origin or prior relationships.
Therapy can help address these areas with the assistance of an objective,
empathetic professional. Specific behavioral homework assignments can often
significantly improve the quality of enjoyment for both partners. Skills in
problem solving and clarifying expectations are developed.
Understanding the relationship as a dynamic system made up of individuals needing
to accommodate each other while respecting the needs of each person is central to
creative, healthy partnering.
As with relationships between couples, interactions between family members are
rich with enjoyment and meaning but can also result in a sense of feeling upset,
stuck, and irritated with each other. Also like romantic relationships, families
are best understood as systems made up of individuals who are in relationships with
one another.
By addressing the communication patterns, feelings, attitudes, expectations and
interactions among different family members, a therapist can help facilitate change
within the family system. Sometimes, family therapy will involve looking at
parent-child interactions. Other problems may arise between brothers and sisters.
There are also opportunities and challenges presented by extended family members,
and by multi-generational family groups living as a unit.
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