Motivational Interviewing (MI) is my “go-to” approach as a brief intervention to help clients take steps towards changing substance patterns.  Here’s why… MI is a counseling approach that utilizes client’s strengths to better understand their situation … Read More

The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (Lee, 2020) helps to identify persons who are most likely to be suffering from clinical levels of anxiety.  We have all felt increased anxiety due to the epidemic and have been worrying, … Read More

Over 20% percent of intensive care unit (ICU) patients show symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), even six months after discharge.  ICU patients experience extreme situations that can include getting devastating news, intense pain, continuous … Read More

Suicidality is associated with many challenges that I help people with including depression, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and substance use.  In the U.S., roughly 4% of adults have had thoughts about suicide in the … Read More

5 Steps to Set the Stage for Success If you are starting or considering Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), congratulate yourself!  Researchers have found that people with OCD wait a long … Read More

Short Answer… More Options – We have over 50,000 thoughts per day.  Which ones should we pay attention to and which ones should we view as background noise?  Which ones do we act upon and which … Read More

If you sincerely want to be helpful to others in your life who are anxious about the corona virus, read on.  This information may change the way you respond to your family, friends, co-workers, and clients. … Read More

According to Patricia Resick, the progenitor of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), the answer is “Yes!”  CPT is a specialized cognitive behavioral therapy model for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  Components of CPT Education … Read More

I’ve witnessed many people successfully overcome depression in my role as a CBT therapist.  Below is a summary of what clients can expect to do during CBT for depression:   Understand Your Situation– When we are in … Read More

Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) is an evidence based therapy to help people fall asleep quicker and stay asleep while in bed.  Typical Components of CBTi Sleep scheduling Worry management Stimulus control Sleep hygiene CBTi … Read More

Not Everyone –  7 Viewpoints from a Psychologist in Private Practice   Since 1999 I have been a psychologist providing CBTi to clients.  Below are seven professional opinions about who benefits most from CBTi based upon … Read More

One of the more common challenges I hear from my clients is “I wish I didn’t procrastinate so much.”   Although we all struggle with procrastination at times, being stuck in its cycle can be distressing … Read More

Criticism from others helps us grow by increasing our understanding of how we can improve our relationships and performance at work or school.  Being responsive to others’ criticism is related to having empathy, compassion, and an … Read More

For many, an important part of the holiday season is on giving and receiving gifts. The giving in particular can be a significant source of stress…the financial cost, braving the stores, the desire to please others … Read More

Every year in the fall we move our clocks back one hour, bringing an end to the period of day-light saving.  For most of us, our bodies take a while to adjust to this time change, … Read More

Hopefully, you have much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.  However, even if you feel like you don’t, scientific studies suggest that going through the motions can still improve your attitude and health.  Researchers found that … Read More

The most common symptoms of clinical depression are depressed mood (usually marked by feelings of sadness) and anhedonia (loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities).  However, the characteristic symptoms of depression may vary among different age … Read More