Specializing in Anxiety, Depression and Eating Disorders
Anxiety
Anxiety can be a debilitating emotion. Symptoms of anxiety may include excessive worry, irrational fears, panic, paranoia, disruptive sleep patterns, insecurities, increased heart rate and difficulty breathing. The exact cause of anxiety is unknown and is specific to the individual who is suffering. There are many different kinds of anxiety, some of which include Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder & Agoraphobia, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Social Anxiety Disorder, and Specific Phobias.
Therapy will provide you with psychoeducation so you can further understand biological, physical and social factors that contribute to your anxiety. Our approach to treating anxiety is unique to each client in order to meet individualized needs. Together, we will work to identify thoughts that perpetuate anxiety symptoms, learn techniques to reframe and challenge these thoughts, as well as extinguishing the power these thoughts hold over you. By identifying negative beliefs and dysfunctional behaviors which are impacting your unhappiness, we will begin to work on replacing these components with more balanced and healthy thoughts and actions.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are often difficult to understand for both individuals and their families, and are broken down into several categories: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and Eating Disorder (not otherwise specified). It is not necessarily about the diagnosis, but rather the symptoms of this disease that cause the individual distress. Eating Disorders are developed for a myriad of reasons. Through therapy we will assist you in understanding your personal struggle, extinguish problematic behaviors and develop a healthier relationship with your body and food.
Eating disorders should not be taken lightly. They can affect a person's, mental, emotional and physical health, and do not discriminate based on age, race, ethnicity or gender. In the U.S. up to 24 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder). In addition, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.
References
The Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, “Eating Disorders 101 Guide: A Summary of Issues, Statistics and Resources,” 2003.
American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 152 (7), July 1995, p. 1073-1074, Sullivan, Patrick F.
Depression
Depression can be a lifelong battle for some. For others it can be the result of a significant event they experienced. Regardless, the road to recovery begins with therapy. Depression can leave one feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, unmotivated, restless or irritable. In addition, one may experience low energy, changes in sleep patterns, changes in appetite, difficulty concentrating, difficulty making decisions, thoughts of death or suicide, physical aches or pains, and a loss of interest in pleasurable activities. Depression is caused by a number of factors. Some of these factors include genetic, biological, social, psychological and environmental components.
Stress Management
In order to tackle stress, you must first understand the source or trigger of your stress. You must take a close look at your personal life to explore major contributors. You will learn how to deal with stressful situations by avoiding, altering, adapting or accepting the stressor. Therapy will help you learn to become assertive in order to avoid unnecessary stress. We will provide you with stress management techniques that reduce the level and intensity of your stress as well as improve your overall quality of life.
By taking a cognitive behavioral approach you will learn to reframe your problematic thoughts in order to cope in a more effective fashion. You will also learn how your thoughts, feelings and behaviors are all interconnected. By increasing your ability to alter your thought process, your emotional and behavioral responses will change for the better.
EMDRÂ
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy technique that incorporates bilateral stimulation to help people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. The goal of EMDR is to fully process past experiences and emotions that are attached to those events. These distressing experiences have shaped the negative beliefs we have developed about ourselves. These negative thoughts, feelings and beliefs become replaced with positive thoughts and feelings that encourage a healthier mindset and lifestyle. EMDR has been proven to be helpful in treating anxiety, abuse, disturbing memories, PTSD and other emotional struggles.
Perinatal Mental Health
Making the transition to parenthood can be overwhelming. Perinatal mental health encompasses the time during pregnancy as well as the months following birth. During this time, you may experience a wide range of emotions. Many parents struggle with mental health challenges and find it to be beneficial to seek support in coping with the emotions they are experiencing, hormonal changes and the transition to parenthood. We will work to explore any challenges you experience and provide support. Perinatal mental health encompasses much more than just postpartum depression. We see a spectrum of mental health issues which can include anxiety, panic disorders, OCD, PTSD, Perinatal substance use, complicated grief/ loss and much more.
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We also work with clients who are struggling with infertility and loss. Infertility issues arise for a variety of different reasons and can impact couples in a multitude of ways. It can lead us to feel anxious or depressed. We may also feel alone, and that others don't understand us. We are here to help you through that. Unfortunately, about 10-15% of pregnancies end in a miscarriage, this can be very overwhelming for a couple or individual. Having professional support can be very beneficial during this time.
References
Life Transitions
​Transitional periods of life can be difficult as when we face change we are often greeted with new challenges. This may increase feelings of anxiety, self-doubt or fear. Some transitions although they may be exciting can also be overwhelming. Therapy can be a tool to help guide you on your journey. We work with college students, individuals navigating their careers or transitions in their professional growth, relationship transitions, changes in family dynamics and more.
Session Types
Private Individual Sessions
Initial Biopsychosocial Assessment:
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This 60 min session is used to gather vital information regarding your treatment history, treatment goals, presenting problem and current symptoms. Additionally, you will be asked to complete paperwork, review consent forms and discuss any further questions or concerns you may have prior to entering outpatient treatment.
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Follow up individual sessions:
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These 50 min sessions are designed to develop your individualized treatment plan, develop strategies to achieving these goals, explore barriers or obstacles that you may face, strengthen your ability to cope with distressing situations and meet other therapeutic needs that may arise. Each individual who enters treatment will receive support, feedback,and psychoeducation in addition to other therapeutic interventions and an individualized tailored treatment plan.
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*Telehealth sessions are available using a HIPAA compliant platform
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Family Sessions
Family members can play a key role in an individual’s treatment. Incorporating family sessions into one's treatment can be beneficial. These 50 min sessions are designed to promote healthy communication amongst family members, resolve family conflict and set realistic attainable family goals. Oftentimes we fail to recognize the strong impact we have on one another, and how communication and healthy relationships promote success as well as stability in one’s life. Throughout our journey there are many challenges and roadblocks we may face. Family members who are supportive can help each other overcome these obstacles.
Groups
Group therapy can be a powerful tool and component to a person's recovery. Unfortunately at this time we are not running any groups. Please check back at a later date.
At Hope, Healing & Happiness our goal is to help provide you with the hope that recovery is possible, assist you along your journey of healing and uncover your happiness. Don’t allow yourself to continue the emotional suffering. Take control of your life today.