What I Treat.
Anxiety Disorders.
Struggling with intrusive, unwanted thoughts is common for those who live with anxiety. You may find yourself replaying social scenarios in fear of having said “the wrong thing” or worrying that _(insert worst case scenario)_ will happen in the near future. It is typically difficult to control these worries. You might even notice that your heart begins to race or that you have difficulty concentrating as your nervousness increases. You may start to avoid people, places, or situations that cause you to feel nervous. You could have trouble sleeping due to racing thoughts and/or restlessness. You probably feel easily overwhelmed and those closest to you might even describe you as irritable. If any of this sounds like you, then we encourage you to read on…
By listening to your specific needs, I identify interventions that are supported by research. Although Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is shown to be the most effective form of therapy for the treatment of anxiety, individual needs may require the integration of other therapies. These may include Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Exposure & Response Prevention, Mindfulness, and Systematic Desensitization. Seeking treatment for anxiety can help you better identify unhelpful thoughts that contribute to your anxiety, as well as find ways to gain a new perspective. Treatment also allows you to develop strategies for managing distressing emotions, such as extreme nervousness and irritability. If you are ready to tackle your anxiety, call me today for a free 15-minute consultation at (682) 273-8501!
Childhood Behavioral Issues.
You’ve tried everything. It just doesn’t work! You’re about to give up. Your child is out of control. Your stomach turns every time the daycare or school calls. Please, not another day sent home for misbehavior. You’re exhausted and overwhelmed. Let’s not even mention the stares you get in public when your child has a tantrum. Everything is a negotiation or an argument: homework, chores, bedtime, electronics use, etc. You sometimes worry that your child doesn’t seem to get along well with other children. You just don’t know where to go from here… Any of this sound familiar? I am here to help!
Many caregivers were raised in an environment that was loving and nurturing; whereas others lacked healthy examples of the adult-child relationship. Regardless of your childhood family dynamics, nothing really prepares you for becoming a caregiver yourself. Caring for a strong-willed child can be even more difficult and stressful. Behavior Management provides tools for reducing unwanted behaviors while increasing desirable behaviors. I will offer strategies for managing your own stress while also teaching you skill sets that can be used in and out of the home to better manage your child’s behaviors. Each skill set corresponds to a handout, which allows you to review the content discussed in session.
Sessions may alternate between you and your child. When meeting with your child, I will focus on strengthening executive functioning skills, which includes but is not limited to: problem-solving; decision-making; impulse control; distress tolerance; and concentration. I may also teach your child emotional coping strategies for better management of anger and frustration. If you are ready to seek help for your child’s behavioral issues, then please call me today for a free 15-minute consultation at (682) 273-8501!
Interpersonal Difficulties.
Do you avoid conflict? Is socializing uncomfortable for you? Finding it difficult to say “no”? Wishing for more meaningful relationships? Do arguments between you and (insert name here) never seem to get resolved? Are you contemplating leaving your partner? Or perhaps you need support while processing the loss of a significant relationship?
In every relationship, whether personal or professional, conflict is bound to occur. Learning to “fight fair,” express ourselves clearly, uphold healthy boundaries, and become less reactive during confrontation are necessary skills for maintaining important relationships. I will teach you strategies for effectively communicating with others and for reducing emotional discomfort related to social interactions and/or conflict. I will show you how to be present within your relationships and reduce opportunities for miscommunication. I will assist you in clarifying your needs and roles within your relationships, as well. Working together, you can learn to establish healthy boundaries in order to move toward a more balanced life.
Following the loss of a significant relationship it is common to experience a broad range of emotional and behavioral changes. You may find yourself vacillating between feelings of anger, sadness, guilt, denial, and relief. Others may notice that your appetite or sleeping habits have changed, or that you are withdrawing from social supports. You may even experience headaches, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and/or uncontrollable crying. Grieving losses, including the loss of significant relationships, differs from person to person. I can support you as you process and grieve the losses in your life.
It is important to note that deviations from “normal” grief also occur. This may be due to the presence of toxic or abusive behaviors within the relationship that has ended. You may find yourself in a state of despair, shock, or denial. You may be asking yourself, “What just happened?” Such a question may lead to online searches for answers or seeking support. You might begin to doubt yourself, including your own judgment. Trusting others seems can be terrifying, so you withdraw from socialization. As you begin to better understand your past experiences, you’re likely to experience rage, shame, and extreme sadness - perhaps even simultaneously. You may wonder how to find yourself again in the aftermath. Good news! I can help you better understand and process your past experiences within a toxic or abusive relationship. I will offer tools to prevent similar experiences from happening in the future. I will help you find the answers you seek, while also holding space with you when there is no answer. I will work with you to heal and move forward while rediscovering the best that the future has to offer.
If you are ready to work with a provider who will assist you in achieving your interpersonal goals, please contact me for a free 15-minute consultation at (682) 273-8501 today!
Trauma.
Whether it’s childhood abuse, neglect, sexual violence, a vehicular crash, the sudden death of a loved one, a toxic relationship, or community violence - most individuals experience and/or witness at least one traumatic event during their lifetime. While some individuals recover quickly following traumatic events, others may benefit from the assistance of a mental health professional. This may be due to differences in social supports, access to community resources, genetic predisposition, and the type of trauma(s).
Experiencing and/or witnessing trauma can result in the following symptoms, which are often indicative of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): avoidance [of triggers]; sleep disturbances; intrusive memories; memory gaps; an exaggerated startle response; strong mistrust of others and/or self; hypervigilance; intense emotions (e.g., anger, sadness, guilt, fear, etc.); difficulty concentrating; feelings of detachment; irritable outbursts; and/or self-blame. If you or someone you know is currently experiencing the aftereffects of trauma, please contact me at (682) 273-8501 for a free 15-minute consultation to see how I can help. You are not alone. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), an estimate of one in eleven persons will be diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime.
Research shows that the following forms of psychotherapy are effective in the treatment of trauma: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT); Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET); and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).
CBT focuses on the interrelationships between our thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. I will help you identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors contributing to distressing emotions, then teach you strategies to create change. CPT focuses on how a person perceives an event and processes it, helping identify unhelpful thoughts that may prevent an individual from healing. NET helps trauma survivors make sense of their experience(s) while also acting as a form of exposure. Clients are asked to create a “trauma narrative,” in which they share details of images, sensory information, physiological reactions, emotions, etc. related to the traumatic event(s). EMDR uses bilateral sensory stimulation, often in the form of side-to-side eye movements, to facilitate the processing of thoughts, memories, and emotions related to trauma. I will consult with you to determine which form of therapy is appropriate for you, as each has its own potential benefits and risks. If you have any questions about your or a loved one’s potential treatment options, please contact me at (682) 273-8501 or hello@paradisepsychology.com.
