RESOURCES
ANXIETY
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety is the most prevalent mental health difficulty in the United States, affecting an estimated 40 million Americans. Despite the fact that numerous scientific studies have proven that psychotherapy and certain medications are effective treatments, only an estimated 1/3 of individuals suffering from anxiety will ever seek help.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - DSM-5 (The resource psychologist, psychiatrist, and other mental health therapist use to diagnose mental health conditions) states that anxiety is comprised of the following symptoms: excessive anxiety, worry, apprehension, difficulty controlling your worrying, restlessness, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances. An accurate diagnosis will depend on the particular symptoms experienced and their duration.
Some subtypes of anxiety that individuals may experience are: Social Anxiety, Specific Phobias, Agoraphobia (fear of being in a place where escape may be difficult or embarrassing), Panic Disorder, Acute Stress Disorders, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
Numerous research studies have proven that psychotherapy is an effective treatment for anxiety. Of these, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has proven to be a well-established, highly effective, and lasting treatment. CBT focuses on identifying, understanding, and changing thinking and behavior patterns. Other effective psychotherapies are Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, and Systematic Desensitization.
Behavior Therapy uses techniques to reduce or stop the undesired target behaviors that are associated with anxiety. For example, one approach involves training patients in relaxation and deep breathing techniques to counteract the agitation and rapid shallow breathing that accompany certain anxiety disorders.
Cognitive Therapy helps patients understand how their thoughts contribute to their symptoms of anxiety. Cognitive Therapy helps individuals change thought patterns, in turn reducing anxiety. Individuals become cognitively aware and are able to have an increased sense of control over their symptoms.
Systematic Desensitization has proven effective for lessoning or eliminating specific phobias. Systematic Desensitization teaches an individual to relax as they are gradually exposed to the feared object or situation. Beginning sessions typically teach an individual to meditate or relax while thinking of the feared object/situation. Latter sessions typically involve gradual increased expose to the feared stimulus while maintaining a sense of relaxation.
Other proven methods for reducing anxiety are: Exercise, meditation, solution focused techniques, certain medications, mindfulness, and stress management.
For more information on Anxiety please visit the National Institute of Mental Health:
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - DSM-5 (The resource psychologist, psychiatrist, and other mental health therapist use to diagnose mental health conditions) states that anxiety is comprised of the following symptoms: excessive anxiety, worry, apprehension, difficulty controlling your worrying, restlessness, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances. An accurate diagnosis will depend on the particular symptoms experienced and their duration.
Some subtypes of anxiety that individuals may experience are: Social Anxiety, Specific Phobias, Agoraphobia (fear of being in a place where escape may be difficult or embarrassing), Panic Disorder, Acute Stress Disorders, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
Numerous research studies have proven that psychotherapy is an effective treatment for anxiety. Of these, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has proven to be a well-established, highly effective, and lasting treatment. CBT focuses on identifying, understanding, and changing thinking and behavior patterns. Other effective psychotherapies are Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, and Systematic Desensitization.
Behavior Therapy uses techniques to reduce or stop the undesired target behaviors that are associated with anxiety. For example, one approach involves training patients in relaxation and deep breathing techniques to counteract the agitation and rapid shallow breathing that accompany certain anxiety disorders.
Cognitive Therapy helps patients understand how their thoughts contribute to their symptoms of anxiety. Cognitive Therapy helps individuals change thought patterns, in turn reducing anxiety. Individuals become cognitively aware and are able to have an increased sense of control over their symptoms.
Systematic Desensitization has proven effective for lessoning or eliminating specific phobias. Systematic Desensitization teaches an individual to relax as they are gradually exposed to the feared object or situation. Beginning sessions typically teach an individual to meditate or relax while thinking of the feared object/situation. Latter sessions typically involve gradual increased expose to the feared stimulus while maintaining a sense of relaxation.
Other proven methods for reducing anxiety are: Exercise, meditation, solution focused techniques, certain medications, mindfulness, and stress management.
For more information on Anxiety please visit the National Institute of Mental Health:
DEPRESSION
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 20 million Americans currently suffer from depression. Antidepressant medications typically are listed as one of the top 10 most prescribed drugs in the United States. Some believe that we live in the “age of depression and anxiety”. Unfortunately, most people suffering from mental health difficulties, including depression, go untreated; despite the fact that numerous peer reviewed scientific studies have proven that psychotherapy is an effective treatment for depression.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - DSM-5 (The resource psychologist, psychiatrist, and other mental health therapist use to diagnose mental health conditions) states that depression is comprised of the following symptoms: Feelings of sadness, diminished interest and pleasure in most or all activities, significant weight loss or weight gain, sleep difficulties, psychomotor agitation or retardation, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, excessive guilt, diminished concentration, and recurrent thoughts of death. Individuals suffering from depression often feel that there is no hope. They feel powerless; believing that there is no way to get better. This belief is simply not true. Depression is treatable.
Numerous research studies have proven that psychotherapy is an effective treatment for depression. Of these, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has proven to be a well-established, highly effective, and lasting treatment. CBT focuses on identifying, understanding, and changing thinking and behavior patterns. Behavior Therapy has also proven to be an effective treatment for Depression. Behavior Therapy uses techniques to reduce or stop the undesired target behaviors that are associated with depression. Behavior Therapy seeks to alter behavior patterns to facilitate emotional health.
A myth of American culture is that certain individuals have “chemical imbalances” that can only be treated with medication. This belief is not true. Here is a list of some of the factors that have proven to alter your brain chemistry, and hence can improve or degrade your physical and emotional health depending on the quality, amount, or absence of these criteria.
- Psychotherapy
- Exercise (or lack of)
- Your thoughts (all of them) (ones in the past, present, or future)
- Relationships (all of them) (ones in the past and present)
- Nutrition
- Sleep
- Sunlight (or lack of)
- Time spent outside or inside
- Medication
- Career
This list is in no way complete. Numerous other factors alter the chemistry of your mind and body (significantly effecting your physical and emotional health). Effective psychotherapy (CBT and Behavior Therapy in particular) seek to improve/alter those areas of your life that are negatively effecting your emotional health. By effectively discovering what factors contribute to an individual’s depression, psychotherapy should aim to alter those target thoughts and behaviors leading to increased feelings of happiness and well-being.
For more information on Depression please visit the National Institute of Mental Health at:
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - DSM-5 (The resource psychologist, psychiatrist, and other mental health therapist use to diagnose mental health conditions) states that depression is comprised of the following symptoms: Feelings of sadness, diminished interest and pleasure in most or all activities, significant weight loss or weight gain, sleep difficulties, psychomotor agitation or retardation, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, excessive guilt, diminished concentration, and recurrent thoughts of death. Individuals suffering from depression often feel that there is no hope. They feel powerless; believing that there is no way to get better. This belief is simply not true. Depression is treatable.
Numerous research studies have proven that psychotherapy is an effective treatment for depression. Of these, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has proven to be a well-established, highly effective, and lasting treatment. CBT focuses on identifying, understanding, and changing thinking and behavior patterns. Behavior Therapy has also proven to be an effective treatment for Depression. Behavior Therapy uses techniques to reduce or stop the undesired target behaviors that are associated with depression. Behavior Therapy seeks to alter behavior patterns to facilitate emotional health.
A myth of American culture is that certain individuals have “chemical imbalances” that can only be treated with medication. This belief is not true. Here is a list of some of the factors that have proven to alter your brain chemistry, and hence can improve or degrade your physical and emotional health depending on the quality, amount, or absence of these criteria.
- Psychotherapy
- Exercise (or lack of)
- Your thoughts (all of them) (ones in the past, present, or future)
- Relationships (all of them) (ones in the past and present)
- Nutrition
- Sleep
- Sunlight (or lack of)
- Time spent outside or inside
- Medication
- Career
This list is in no way complete. Numerous other factors alter the chemistry of your mind and body (significantly effecting your physical and emotional health). Effective psychotherapy (CBT and Behavior Therapy in particular) seek to improve/alter those areas of your life that are negatively effecting your emotional health. By effectively discovering what factors contribute to an individual’s depression, psychotherapy should aim to alter those target thoughts and behaviors leading to increased feelings of happiness and well-being.
For more information on Depression please visit the National Institute of Mental Health at: