MY SPECIALTIES
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING
Invariably, all human beings experience streams of thoughts that arise spontaneously. These “automatic thoughts” can be largely negative, and may produce anxiety and depression. Through structured CBT and mindfulness techniques, I will help you gain more insight into your own mind and help you learn to challenge and replace unwanted invasive thoughts with thoughts that are less extreme and more productive. This can lead to long lasting, positive change and attainment of goals that may have previously felt impossible.
COUPLES THERAPY
CBT can help couples repair relationships that may be suffering due to unrealistic expectations (e.g., my spouse "should" or "must" do this), poor communication and lack of intimacy. Increasing and improving communication and attempting to focus on oneself and the relationship instead of assigning blame are the foundations of evidenced-based couples therapy.
RELATIONSHIP COUNSELING
CBT can lead to markedly improved relationships and interactions with friends, family members, colleagues, significant others and even strangers. Together, we can develop a plan of action to help your relationships thrive.
PARENTING DIFFICULTIES
A CBT approach for parents and parent training involves learning and developing strategies that increase positive behaviors (e.g., positive reinforcement), reduce children's misbehavior, improve parent-child relationships and improve family dynamics.
FAMILY THERAPY
DEPRESSION
For some people, CBT works as well or better than medication in the treatment of depression, particularly if your depression is mild or moderate. CBT can help you identify and challenge overly negative, invasive thoughts and replace them with healthier, more realistic ones.
ADDICTION
CBT is often an effective as part of a treatment plan for substance abuse, eating disorders and behavioral addictions. Recognizing and changing harmful thought patterns is essential to overcoming bad habits, unwanted behaviors and addicitons.
STRESS & TRAUMA
CBT treatment involves identifying unhelpful distortions in thoughts, such as overgeneralizing bad outcomes, negative thinking and expectation of catastrophic outcomes, and assists in moving toward more balanced and effective thinking patterns.
CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS
As a school psychologist for 15 years, I have evaluated and worked with young people with a myriad of social, behavioral and learning problems. Psycho-educational evaluations can provide important insight into children's functioning. Age-appropriate CBT treatment can help young people increase coping skills, enhance self-control, develop rational problem-solving skills and improve social skills.
ANXIETY
CBT has been demonstrated to be one of the most effective treatments for anxiety disorders, including phobias, generalized anxiety, panic attacks or obsessive thoughts. Treatment is tailored to your specific symptoms, and the severity of your anxiety disorder.
In many cases, family therapy provides additional benefits over and above child-focused CBT. Parenting strategies can be explored and goals can be developed with the child or adolescent in close collaboration with parents. Progress is monitored throughout the course of treatment.