Psychotherapy
* Mood Disorders
Depression
Bipolar Disorder
* Anxiety Disorders
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Social Anxiety
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Phobias
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
* Hypnotherapy
* Complicated Grief
* Adjustment Disorders
* Survivors of Emotional, Physical or Sexual Abuse or Trauma
* Chronic stress
* Occupational Stress
* Caregiver Stress
* Family of Origin Issues
* Anger Management (Voluntary or Court-Ordered)
* Coping Skills and Stress Management Training
* Coping with Chronic Health or Major Medical Concerns
* Smoking Cessation
* Post-detox Chemical Dependency
* Other Addictions and Habits
* Mood Disorders
Depression
Bipolar Disorder
* Anxiety Disorders
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Social Anxiety
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Phobias
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
* Hypnotherapy
* Complicated Grief
* Adjustment Disorders
* Survivors of Emotional, Physical or Sexual Abuse or Trauma
* Chronic stress
* Occupational Stress
* Caregiver Stress
* Family of Origin Issues
* Anger Management (Voluntary or Court-Ordered)
* Coping Skills and Stress Management Training
* Coping with Chronic Health or Major Medical Concerns
* Smoking Cessation
* Post-detox Chemical Dependency
* Other Addictions and Habits
Hypnotherapy
Clinical hypnosis is quite useful in certain, but not all, cases in psychotherapy. Primary among these are cases in which strong emotions such as anger, resentment or fear are present but unwanted or misplaced, often longstanding, and of which the individual may be at a genuine loss to explain the basis or purpose. Clinical hypnosis can be a very useful component in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome and smoking.
While there are exceptions, hypnosis is typically a very relaxed state and so is usually quite comfortable for that reason alone. It is also a very focused state where bothersome thoughts are less likely to intrude. Simply being able to bring about such a state is often therapeutic in that the individual regains a sense of control over them self and their thoughts.
Unfortunately, the dispelling of myths is often the first task when considering the use of hypnosis in the course of psychotherapy. Some people fear that they will somehow lose control, lose consciousness or be controlled by or "under the spell" of the therapist when in a hypnotic state. The fact that individuals can be intentionally untruthful while in a hypnotic state or that not all smokers stop smoking after hypnosis illustrates that free will is not overruled by hypnosis. In particular, the goal of psychotherapy is a healthy and able individual. For a person to meet that definition, they must retain control and power over themselves. In working with profound trauma, it is possible, with prior agreement between the therapist and patient, to arrange for some material discussed in the hypnotic session to not be made available to the conscious mind of the patient until such time as they are emotionally ready and able to receive that material.
Clinical hypnosis is quite useful in certain, but not all, cases in psychotherapy. Primary among these are cases in which strong emotions such as anger, resentment or fear are present but unwanted or misplaced, often longstanding, and of which the individual may be at a genuine loss to explain the basis or purpose. Clinical hypnosis can be a very useful component in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome and smoking.
While there are exceptions, hypnosis is typically a very relaxed state and so is usually quite comfortable for that reason alone. It is also a very focused state where bothersome thoughts are less likely to intrude. Simply being able to bring about such a state is often therapeutic in that the individual regains a sense of control over them self and their thoughts.
Unfortunately, the dispelling of myths is often the first task when considering the use of hypnosis in the course of psychotherapy. Some people fear that they will somehow lose control, lose consciousness or be controlled by or "under the spell" of the therapist when in a hypnotic state. The fact that individuals can be intentionally untruthful while in a hypnotic state or that not all smokers stop smoking after hypnosis illustrates that free will is not overruled by hypnosis. In particular, the goal of psychotherapy is a healthy and able individual. For a person to meet that definition, they must retain control and power over themselves. In working with profound trauma, it is possible, with prior agreement between the therapist and patient, to arrange for some material discussed in the hypnotic session to not be made available to the conscious mind of the patient until such time as they are emotionally ready and able to receive that material.
Substance Abuse and Other Addictions Treatment
Individuals are typically seen following medical detoxification, if necessary. Medical clearance will be required if there is any significant likelihood of medical risk.
My approach to chemical dependence and many other addictions such as gambling or sex, is to approach the chemical or behavior as, in some way, a coping tool. The chemical or behavior almost certainly proved initially useful in some way and so was continued by the individual. In time, however, the cost of this solution began to exceed its benefits, either as tolerance to the chemical developed, additional stressors became overwhelming, or the effects of the chemical or behavior began to exact an unsustainably high price in relational, occupational, or academic terms.
Recovery requires the identification of the purpose or need originally served by the chemical, followed by the identification and implementation of some other tool that will at least serve as well, if not better, and at a lesser cost to the individual. This, then, is the minimally necessary and primary task of therapy. To simply take away a tool without providing some meaningful replacement is unkind, if not cruel, aside from the fact that it simply does not work. It is for this reason that I do not require established sobriety as a precondition to initiating psychotherapy.
The use of additional resources including Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Sex Addicts Anonymous or church or other spiritual groups is generally welcomed and usually considered to be consistent with the goals of psychotherapy.
Please visit our Resources page for links to additional information.
Individuals are typically seen following medical detoxification, if necessary. Medical clearance will be required if there is any significant likelihood of medical risk.
My approach to chemical dependence and many other addictions such as gambling or sex, is to approach the chemical or behavior as, in some way, a coping tool. The chemical or behavior almost certainly proved initially useful in some way and so was continued by the individual. In time, however, the cost of this solution began to exceed its benefits, either as tolerance to the chemical developed, additional stressors became overwhelming, or the effects of the chemical or behavior began to exact an unsustainably high price in relational, occupational, or academic terms.
Recovery requires the identification of the purpose or need originally served by the chemical, followed by the identification and implementation of some other tool that will at least serve as well, if not better, and at a lesser cost to the individual. This, then, is the minimally necessary and primary task of therapy. To simply take away a tool without providing some meaningful replacement is unkind, if not cruel, aside from the fact that it simply does not work. It is for this reason that I do not require established sobriety as a precondition to initiating psychotherapy.
The use of additional resources including Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Sex Addicts Anonymous or church or other spiritual groups is generally welcomed and usually considered to be consistent with the goals of psychotherapy.
Please visit our Resources page for links to additional information.