Treatment and Therapy

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The Power of Positive Affirmations

April 13, 2018|Treatment and Therapy|

We are all familiar with that tiny voice in our head that pops up at the least convenient times to tell us that "We can't do it," "We're no good," or "Why even try, you aren't cut out for this." Some fight bravely to battle this incredibly powerful voice, some are skilled at knowing how to silence it and some can't shut it up no matter how much they'd like to. Is there a way to quiet it, you wonder? Will it ever go away? As a matter of fact, yes, and it's a relatively simple, gentle method you [...]

  • Music Therapy

What is Music Therapy?

March 29, 2018|Treatment and Therapy|

When I let clients know that I’m board-certified as a music therapist, I often get the question: “What exactly is music therapy?” Because music is experiential, I find it most helpful to start by sharing what music therapy might look like: Listening to a song within the safety of the therapeutic environment to elicit an emotional response and encourage processing of a traumatic experience. Taking some deep breaths in and exhaling out loud, exploring the vibrations and sensations of different vocalizations, connecting to and getting curious about the sound of your own voice. Rewriting some of the words to a [...]

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Building Trust in a Counselor-Client Relationship

October 3, 2017|Treatment and Therapy|

Research shows that the therapeutic alliance — the bond between therapist and client — is a strong predictor of how successful therapy will be. The stronger the therapeutic alliance, the more likely the client is to accomplish their therapy goals. However, in order to reach this level of success, a firm foundation of trust is essential. The importance of building trust It is understandable why a client would have hesitations when approaching counseling. The topics that people attend counseling to address are often those of a vulnerable nature, perhaps even causing shame or embarrassment in the individual. Clients may additionally [...]

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How to Tell if You’ll Benefit from Therapy Even if You Feel “Fine”

August 8, 2017|Treatment and Therapy|

Should I go to therapy if I feel fine? It can be hard to know when therapy is the right option for you. It's common to have the perception that therapy is only for people who qualify with a mental health diagnosis or have intense trauma. You may feel like your problems aren't worthy of treatment because they're not as serious as someone else's. The reality is that there are no qualifying criteria to sign up for therapy. While it's much more pertinent and time-sensitive for certain disorders, seeking therapy for mental health is for everyone. Even the smartest, most [...]

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A Closer Look At Biofeedback Therapy

May 22, 2017|Treatment and Therapy|

Our body does things every day that we have little to no awareness of — like breathing, the rate at which our hearts beat and the level of tension within our muscles. We go throughout our day letting our body do its thing without much thought about it. We begin to think that we have little control over these natural tendencies, but we actually have more control than we realize. With the right training, we can learn to control and maintain balanced breathing, reduce our own heart rate (in a good way) and even relax our muscles. How? Via the [...]

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What to Expect During The Mental Health Assessment Process

May 8, 2017|Education Center, Treatment and Therapy|

If your doctor or health professional has recommended a mental health assessment, there's no need to worry—the process is straightforward and painless. Mental health issues are more common than you might think; research suggests that nearly one in five adults in the United States deals with some form of mental health disorder each year.1 A mental health assessment is an important diagnostic tool that can help you get the treatment you need. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the main elements of the mental health assessment process. What Is the Purpose of a Mental Health Assessment? A [...]

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Common Types of Outpatient Counseling for Adults

November 29, 2016|Treatment and Therapy|

If you’re considering therapy, you may be wondering where to start. There are many different forms of counseling, and each therapist will have their own unique approach. Here are some of the most common types of therapy available, and how to choose the right one for you. Counseling Approaches The American Psychological Association recognizes five approaches to counseling: Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapies Behavioral therapy Cognitive therapy Humanistic therapy Integrative or holistic therapy Psychoanalytic Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy These are two closely related therapies. Psychoanalytic therapy is a talk therapy that focuses on identifying unconscious thoughts and analyzing how they have [...]

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Understanding Social Anxiety Disorder

October 21, 2016|Treatment and Therapy|

From time to time we might feel a little nervous when entering a new situation or environment. We all want to make a good impression and desire to be liked by others. Meeting new people, attending a party or going to a work social might be a cause for pre-event jitters for some, but for others, these situations can actually be a source of true and uncontrollable anxiety. More people than you might realize deal with social anxiety disorder, and actively seek ways to avoid the situations other people feel excited towards. The good news is that with the right [...]

  • the benefits of biofeedback therapy

The Benefits of Biofeedback Therapy

September 28, 2016|Treatment and Therapy|

Biofeedback is a form of therapy that is widely used among both medical and mental health practitioners to help patients manage various conditions. This therapeutic technique has been used to help patients with anxiety, sleep disorders, chronic pain and much more. Biofeedback therapy has been shown to deliver promising results in addiction treatment. What Is Biofeedback? Biofeedback therapy is the process of monitoring and obtaining feedback on various body functions and then using this information to make positive changes in the body. 1 In a typical biofeedback session, you're connected to a set of electrical sensors that help collect [...]