Clinical Specialties 

 

Eating Disorders

 

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that involve an obsessive focus on weight, body shape, food, and eating. They negatively impact an individual’s health, emotions, and ability to function during everyday life. The three most commonly known eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. Treatment includes individual, family, and/or group therapy as well as meal support. 

 

Mood Disorders

 

For individuals with mood disorders, their general emotional state or mood is distorted and inconsistent with reality, impairing their ability to function. Some examples of mood disorders include depression, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Mood disorders are successfully treated with therapy sessions and medication. 

 

Anxiety Disorders

 

People with anxiety disorders feel intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about common, everyday circumstances. They often suffer from panic attacks, which are sudden feelings of intense anxiety and terror that reach a peak within minutes. Anxiety disorders can impact one’s mood and often go hand-in-hand with depression. Examples include social anxiety disorder (social phobia), separation anxiety disorder, and specific phobias, such as agoraphobia. Treatment options include individual or group therapy and medication.

 

Personality Disorders

 

Personality disorders are mental health conditions related to inflexible and unhealthy patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Individuals suffering from personality disorders often have a hard time getting along with others and handling everyday problems. Personality disorders are grouped into three clusters depending on the characteristics and symptoms: suspicious (paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder), emotional and impulsive (antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder), and anxious (obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, and dependent personality disorder). These disorders can be treated successfully with therapy and medication. 

 

Body Image Distress

 

Body image distress is often considered a symptom of eating disorders; however, the two conditions do not always occur together. Body image distress is characterized by dissatisfaction with appearance, which often leads to behaviors such as dieting, obsessively checking a mirror, and social avoidance. In terms of treatment, cognitive-behavioral interventions during individual or group therapy have the best outcomes. 

 

Problematic Dieting or Weight Control

 

Dieting is frustrating, problematic and destructive. Almost everyone fails in their attempts to lose weight and are often seeking weight loss to try and achieve happiness, health, or some other need that weight loss ultimately cannot meet. Diet culture manipulates people to thinking that diets are physically and morally good and can in turn bring about health and happiness.  This is not true.  Dieting or weight control attempts can lead to eating disorders , low self-esteem, low self-worth, anxiety, depression, or even substance use disorders. With individual therapy, nutrition counseling, and meal support, if needed, individuals gain the confidence they need to break the cycle of dieting and improve their quality of life. I practice through a Health At Every Size philosophy and strive to help clients develop a mindful and loving connection with their bodies, which will enhances both health and happiness more effectively than weight loss or dieting.

 

Women’s Issues

 

This specialty refers to any stressors or mental health concerns and conditions that women may face throughout their lives and are impacted by their experience as a woman. From a feminist perspective, we will explore how certain concerns are compounded by the white masculine heterosexual norms in society and the function of oppression, suppression, and gender norms on stress and mental health issues.

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Stage of Life Concerns

 

Thanks to social media, it’s all too easy for people to compare themselves and their life paths to others. Instead, they should remember that their journey belongs to them and them alone. During individual or group therapy, clients share their stage of life concerns and find a sense of peace about their past, present, and future.  

 

Stress Management

 

Stress is a normal part of life. While a small amount of stress can be motivating, overwhelming or chronic stress can lead to serious health problems. Stress management provides individuals with a range of tools to help calm their nervous systems after a threat (or perceived threat) is handled. Treatment consists of individual or group therapy.

 

Identity Issues

 

Developing a sense of identity is an essential piece of the puzzle for every individual, and struggling during this process is natural and normal. However, identity issues can lead to depression, hopelessness, addiction, and other mental health conditions. Through therapy, clients learn healthy ways to cope with their struggles and ultimately discover themselves in the process. 

 

College or Career (Re)integration

 

The start of college or beginning of a new career may be a time filled with fear, uncertainty, and loneliness - feelings that can lead to bigger health problems such as eating disorders, addiction, and depression. Through individual or group therapy, clients not only talk about their emotional state and practice skills to help them navigate their new path in life but also build confidence as they realize that they’re smart and capable individuals. 

 

Post-Treatment Aftercare Support

 

This option is available for individuals after they’ve completed treatment and reached full recovery. Together, we outline an aftercare plan, complete with resources and services that continue to support the client’s needs. Aftercare support can be completed remotely if necessary.