Psychological Services
Treatments for Emotional & Life Issues, Distress and Self-Defeating Behaviours
- Stress can be due to balance in life issues; work; relationships; or specific life events.
- Depressed mood can range from mild dissatisfaction to complete inertia, disinterest and negativity.
- Anxiety, like depression, also occurs on a continuum ranging from social and performance anxiety to panic.
- Post-traumatic reactions can reflect emotional & behavioural responses to a trauma of any kind.
- Unproductive personality characteristics are engrained patterns of behaviour which substantially interfere with one’s ability to function efficiently.
- Crisis can occur when one’s usual coping mechanisms are not working.
These and other emotionally-based problems are amenable to treatment by clinical psychologists, using scientifically-proven approaches. For example, cognitive behaviour therapy is often appropriate for individuals with mild to moderately-depressed mood. Those suffering from deeper depression often benefit more, in the initial stages of therapy, from behavioural approaches.
Stress & Lifestyle Consultations
This positive, goal-oriented consultation can assist you in:
- evaluating your stress management skills and life-style behaviours
- identifying challenges to change
- developing a specific plan to move forward with your goals
Health Psychology Interventions
All health challenges have biological, psychological and social components. As a clinical health psychologist, I adhere to a biopsychosocial model. This helps me assess appropriate targets and develop a treatment plan to improve coping or decrease symptoms—and in some cases to alleviate symptoms entirely. Treatment frequently includes self-monitoring; altering behaviours; changing thinking patterns and implementation of psychophysiological control techniques (e.g., autogenic and progressive muscle-relaxation techniques; imagery; meditation and biofeedback).
Health issues
Health issues I have helped people with include asthma, diabetes, cardiac challenges, headaches and chronic pain. I also work with patients to understand medical treatment options; increase healthy behaviours and decrease harmful behaviours, such as substance abuse. I prefer a strong partnership with an individual’s physician (and sometimes other health care specialists, such as physical therapists) when working on health-related issues.
Growth-oriented Psychotherapy
I offer psychotherapy which helps individuals maximize their potential. One does not have to be suffering to benefit from therapy.