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Certified therapist in
Birmingham, MI
specializing in the treatment
of anxiety
and Panic Disorder
as well as depression and low self-esteem in adults and
adolescents.
Currently accepting new patients.
Accept BC/BS and Aetna
and several other insurances.
Telephone
sessions
available.
Some Traits of Anxious Individuals:
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Perfectionistic - their perfectionism causes much
of their anxiety and contributes to panic, worry, obsessions & compulsions.
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Overly Responsible - they are often the most responsible
person in the family and overwhelm themselves with the need to take care of everything and everybody. They often grew up in
a family that contributed to their becoming very responsible.
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Intelligent - This can cause problems in 2 ways: 1) Being clever, creative and
knowledgeable, they can imagine many scenarios of dreadful events befalling them or loved ones, and: 2) they are bright
enough to understand they are very irrational.
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Non-Assertive - they tend to be very compliant with the requests and desires of others, tending
to go out of their way to take care of and make others happy. They have difficulty standing up for their
rights, speaking up for themselves and appropriately putting their needs before the needs of others.
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Calm Exterior - Anxious individuals often appear very calm on the exterior, belying
their chronically anxious and fearful emotional interior.
My Treatment Approach:
My treatment for anxiety disorders involves both
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Insight Therapy. It is essential to use both these techniques to truly reduce
or eliminate anxiety as opposed to controlling its symptoms with medication - except when necessary. I generally suggest a trial of several sessions before resorting to the addition of medication,
but each situation is unique and some individuals may need medication from the outset to facilitate more effective talking
therapy. I would recommend that a new patient also first purchase my CD program: "Anxiety to Serenity". The
concentrated information presented in those 4 CDs provides a headstart in developing an understanding of anxiety and the techniques
to reduce it. Listening to "Anxiety to Serenity" will also make follow-up phone sessions more effective
if office visits are not possible.
Insight or Psychodynamic Therapy helps
to identify the underlying issues and hidden emotions that may contribute to the formation of an anxiety
disorder and facilitates resolution of those issues.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy helps to identify, challenge
and eliminate the irrational, anxiety producing thoughts and avoidant behaviors that cause the terror of panic attacks,
chronic anxiety, obsessions & compulsions.
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