SERVICES

Depression can feel suffocating, as if there is no hope and no way out. Reconnecting with a sense of purpose and others is crucial to overcoming depression. I work to explore what you value and how you can reconnect with purpose and with meaningful others to help you out of the darkness that is depression.

Anxiety disorders include experiencing panic attacks, worry, obsessions and compulsions, insomnia, and rumination. The best way to tackle anxiety is to change negative thinking. Often our thinking patterns are rooted in negative core beliefs that were established early in life or in adolescence. These negative beliefs do not serve us well. Changing them in therapy is called cognitive restructuring. It is an evidence-based treatment for anxiety disorders.

Addiction is a complicated mental health issue and depends on the person. I like to understand the roots of the person’s addictive disorder and ask: What are you medicating? It might be difficult emotions like mourning or feelings of loss or disconnection from self or others. It can also be an attempt to drown out social anxiety or an out of control “party”. I do not believe in one-size-fits all addiction treatment protocol. Abstinence is the only solution for some but often understanding the roots of the addictive disorder and a harm reduction model are the best approach.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be mild, and only involve worrying about forgetting to lock the door or turning off the lights. However, the thoughts that a person who has OCD has are unwanted and can be distressing, and the individual may do certain things to reduce anxiety and push the thoughts away. These are known as compulsions, and they are typically ritualistic and carried out repetitively. There are very effective treatment options for OCD. One of the most widely recognized treatments for OCD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a form of talk therapy that is designed to transform negative thought patterns into constructive or positive ones.

Personality disorders are deeply ingrained, fixed and unyielding ways of thinking and behaving. These ways of thinking and doing lead to disconnection with others and cause stress and anxiety. People with personality disorders may experience intense anger and mood swings that can last from a few hours to a few days. Many also experience feelings of emptiness. Individuals may lose contact with reality, self-harm, threaten or attempt to take their own life, and engage in risky behaviors. The best treatment for you depends on your specific personality disorder, its severity and your life situation. Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, is the main way to treat personality disorders.