Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions in the United States (ADAA, 2022). Some people see depression and think a person is just lazy or unwilling to make change, but the reality of depression can be severe and even life threatening.
Depression is different from normal responses to sad or stressful situations. It lasts longer, effects multiple facets of a person’s life, and is often more difficult to work through. Depression can be neurochemical when influenced by brain chemistry and personality-based when someone develops habitual patterns of negative thinking.
Severe cases of depression can feel overwhelming and lead to thoughts of escape. Emotional outbursts, self-harm, and thoughts of suicide are common when battling depression and often take a toll on everyone involved in the person’s life. Ultimately, depression makes it hard to function and nearly impossible to find happiness and fulfillment.
Fortunately there is hope, as depression is very treatable. Behavioral and medication-based treatment methods are widely successful. These resources aid in rewiring brain pathways, transforming negative thinking patterns, and building the support necessary to overcome the debilitating effects of depression. You can read more about one method, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, by clicking the link.
I offer in-person therapy and counseling in Seabrook, TX and virtual telehealth therapy for Texas residents. If you are ready to combat depression, visit the online portal to schedule an appointment today.
Comorbid (or co-occurring disorders) refers to when a person qualifies for more than one mental health diagnosis at a time. For example, anxiety and depression commonly occur together. This occurs frequently, as many mental health issues have overlapping symptoms and feed into each other. (A ‘dual diagnosis’ refers specifically to a substance use disorder alongside another disorder.)
For those struggling with mental health concerns, comorbidity makes sense. Someone experiencing untreated anxiety may begin to feel overwhelmed and incapable. They shut down and start experiencing symptoms of depression. A person going through a depressive episode may look for ways to cope and turn to drugs or alcohol to feel better.
Although comorbidity is common in the mental health world, it can be complex. Interacting symptoms and treatment of multiple problems at the same time can be tricky and take longer to find workable solutions. Fortunately, many of the treatment methods used in mental health work with multiple disorders.
When it comes to working with comorbid disorders, treatment will vary depending on the individual. Cognitive behavioral therapy is most commonly used to treat a variety of mental health issues due to its success and supported research. However, multiple methods will likely be used to help with the treatment of co-occurring disorders.
I offer in-person therapy and counseling in Seabrook, TX and virtual telehealth therapy for Texas residents. If you are seeking mental health treatment, give me a call or schedule a free 15-minute consultation on our online portal today.
Body image refers to the mental picture people have of what they look like. Some people may have an accurate image of themselves in their head, while others may even see themselves in a grandiose way (think narcissist). However, the majority of people in American society tend to err on the side of seeing themselves in a more negative light due to the idealized standards we see in media.
Now, it’s completely normal to feel uncomfortable about strangers seeing you with bed head or feel some anxiety about the fresh pimple right in the middle of your forehead. Body image becomes an issue when it starts to affect your daily life. Some people avoid social situations due to their insecurities, and poor body image can even lead to a person altering their physical appearance in drastic, unhealthy ways.
Poor body image is connected with a host of other mental health issues including poor self-esteem, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and more. These types of dysfunction form a negative feedback loop and create more dysfunction without treatment. Utilizing new habits and coping strategies to combat negative thinking patterns about our bodies can help.
Treatment methods for poor body image include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, changes in environmental stimuli, intuitive eating, and healthy exercise. Breaking the cycle of seeing ourselves in a negative light can be a challenge, but it is totally possible.
I offer in-person therapy and counseling in Seabrook, TX and virtual telehealth therapy for Texas residents. If you are seeking help with poor body image, call or book an appointment today.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States (ADAA, 2022). Many people often write off their anxiety as ‘just stress’ and suffer in silence. Some see anxiety as a weakness and prefer to tough it out while others may ignore the problem all together.
Anxiety is different from stress in that it is crippling. Some life situations call for stress and worry as a means of helping our minds and bodies prepare for scenarios requiring more mental and physical energy. However, when this worry produces negative effects and inhibits our ability to function in a healthy way, we classify it as anxiety.
Feeling significant worry for any reason is exhausting, both mentally and physically. Anybody who has experienced anxiety can attest to its debilitating effects. Whether momentary or constant, anxiety can be a tough challenge to face and feel overwhelming without the right tools. Sometimes, we may only feel anxiety in certain situations, as with social anxiety or test anxiety.
Fortunately, there are multiple effective ways to treat anxiety. Behavioral and mindfulness-based treatment methods are well researched, show great success, and can be easy to incorporate into any lifestyle. You can read more about one method, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, by clicking the link.
I offer in-person therapy and counseling in Seabrook, TX and virtual telehealth therapy for Texas residents. If you are ready to schedule an appointment, visit the online portal today.
Any person exposed to the world of counseling has likely heard of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (also known as “CBT”). This treatment method is widely used in therapeutic practice all over the world due to extensive research of its success with multiple types of mental dysfunction. However, anybody can benefit from CBT, whether they have a mental disorder or not.
While its name may sound fancy or complicated, the practice itself is quite simple. Cognitive refers to ‘cognitions’ or thoughts, and behavioral refers to… well, behaviors. CBT works by looking at how our thoughts affect our behaviors.
CBT offers more structure than other forms of therapy, which often helps a person quickly work toward goals. In therapy, this practice helps a person identify negative thinking patterns and reframe them to support healthier behaviors. At its core, CBT operates on the premise that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and can influence one another. It recognizes that distorted thinking patterns and maladaptive behaviors contribute to emotional distress and psychological challenges. CBT aims to identify and modify these patterns to alleviate symptoms and foster personal growth.
Key Principles of CBT
Cognitive Restructuring: CBT focuses on identifying and challenging negative or irrational thoughts and beliefs. By examining the evidence supporting these thoughts, individuals can reframe them into more accurate and balanced perspectives. This cognitive restructuring helps to reduce distress and promote healthier thought patterns.
Behavior Modification: CBT places significant emphasis on behavior modification. It involves setting specific, achievable goals and implementing behavior change strategies to promote adaptive behaviors and habits. Through systematic desensitization and exposure techniques, individuals confront and gradually overcome fears and avoidance behaviors.
Skill-Building: CBT equips individuals with practical skills to cope with challenges effectively. These skills may include relaxation techniques, problem-solving strategies, assertiveness training, and effective communication. By acquiring and practicing these skills, individuals gain a sense of mastery and empowerment over their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Benefits of CBT
Evidenced-Based Approach: CBT is extensively researched and has demonstrated effectiveness in treating various mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Its evidence-based nature provides individuals with confidence in the therapeutic process and increases the likelihood of positive outcomes.
Focus on the Present: CBT emphasizes the present moment, focusing on the here and now rather than delving excessively into past experiences. This practical approach allows individuals to identify and address current challenges, providing a sense of control and immediate relief.
Collaborative and Active Process: CBT is a collaborative therapy, with the therapist and client working together as a team. The therapist provides guidance, support, and expertise, while the client actively engages in the therapeutic process. This active involvement fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment, enabling individuals to take charge of their own growth and well-being.
Versatility and Applicability: CBT’s adaptable nature makes it suitable for a wide range of individuals and situations. It can be integrated into individual therapy, group settings, and even self-help practices. CBT techniques can be utilized in various life domains, such as work, relationships, and personal development, making it a valuable tool for overall well-being.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has emerged as a powerful therapeutic approach that empowers individuals to transform their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By challenging negative thinking patterns, modifying maladaptive behaviors, and developing practical coping skills, CBT helps individuals alleviate distress, build resilience, and achieve positive change. Its evidence-based nature, focus on the present, collaborative process, and versatility make it a valuable resource for enhancing mental well-being. Whether you’re facing anxiety, depression, or seeking personal growth, CBT offers a roadmap to empower you on your journey toward a healthier and more fulfilling life.
The length of time it takes to change a behavior depends on a variety of factors including its type, severity, how long it has been occurring, the effort you put into practice, and your environmental support. We offer in-person therapy and counseling in Seabrook, TX and virtual telehealth therapy for Texas residents. If you or someone you know wants more information about CBT, schedule an appointment or free 15-minute consultation today.
Termination.. this can be such a scary word! Hasta la vista, baby..
Termination literally means bringing something to an end, and this is all it refers to when we use it for therapy. Terminating therapy means ending the counseling process. Ideally, this happens when you’ve accomplished your goals and you no longer need the assistance of a professional. Sometimes this occurs when external circumstances arise or a boundary gets crossed.
Hard termination rules are set at the beginning of the relationship- for example not paying or not showing up without calling multiple times. Many therapists consider these grounds for termination. The therapist and client both have full control of the relationship and can terminate if and when necessary for any reason.
The Importance of Closure
When you and your counselor decide to end the counseling relationship, it can end abruptly (not ideal) or gradually over multiple sessions. Ending treatment gradually helps to highlight the important skills you’ve learned, remember how far you’ve come, and go over gains you’ve made in treatment. You can also space these ending sessions further apart to practice going longer periods of time without speaking with your counselor.
Termination in therapy is not a mere ending; it is an opportunity for closure and reflection. During the final sessions, your therapist will help you consolidate your progress and achievements, reinforcing the skills and insights you have gained throughout the counseling process. This closure allows you to internalize the growth you have experienced, building a solid foundation for continued success even after therapy concludes.
Embracing Autonomy
Counseling is not meant to last forever. Although some people may engage in counseling for a longer period of time (even years), the ultimate goal is developing the skills to live an autonomous life. Discussing timelines with your therapist is an important part of the counseling process, so you can have an idea of how long you will work together. However, this is often an ongoing discussion due to the fluctuating nature of treatment progress and goals.
Therapy aims to empower individuals and promote autonomy. As you work through your challenges and develop effective coping strategies, the goal is for you to become self-reliant and capable of navigating life’s difficulties independently. Termination signifies that you have reached a point where you possess the tools and resilience to face future obstacles confidently. It marks a significant milestone in your personal growth journey, as you transition from relying on the therapist’s guidance to relying on your own inner resources.
Reflection and Integration
As therapy nears its end, it is common for both therapist and client to engage in reflection. You may take time to assess the progress you have made, identifying the specific changes, insights, and skills acquired throughout the therapeutic process. By reflecting on your transformation, you solidify the lessons learned and integrate them into your daily life, ensuring a smoother transition into a post-therapy phase.
Life is dynamic, and challenges may arise even after the therapeutic journey has come to an end. It is important to recognize that setbacks or new circumstances do not imply failure or regression. If you find yourself in need of additional support in the future, do not hesitate to reach out to your therapist. They are familiar with your history and can provide valuable guidance during times of transition or difficulty. Seeking intermittent sessions, often referred to as “check-up” sessions, can be beneficial to address specific concerns or reinforce coping skills as needed.
Celebrating Progress
Termination is an opportunity to celebrate your progress and acknowledge the milestones you have achieved. Take time to recognize the growth you have experienced, both big and small. Celebrate your resilience, newfound insights, and the positive changes you have made in your life. Acknowledging your achievements not only boosts your self-esteem but also reinforces the belief in your ability to overcome challenges in the future.
Termination in therapy is a natural and important part of the counseling process. It signifies your growth, self-reliance, and readiness to navigate life’s challenges independently. Embracing closure and reflecting on your progress allows for a smoother transition, enabling you to integrate the skills and insights gained in therapy into your everyday life. Remember, terminating therapy does not mean you cannot seek support in the future if needed. Embrace the journey, celebrate your achievements, and continue to nurture your well-being as you move forward with newfound resilience and self-awareness.
Step 1 to Therapy- You’re here, you’ve accomplished step one! When embarking on your healing journey, step one can incorporate many things. Ultimately, it’s starting to think about the healing process and asking the important questions. What am I healing from? What do I think healing will look like? How exactly do I heal and grow? Where do I go from here?
I’ve created this page to break this whole therapy / counseling thing down into simple steps. After recognizing you want something more for yourself than what you have right now, you can then decide if you’re ready to take the next step.
Step 2 – Research
You’ve decided you want something to change. In that decision, some questions have come up in your desire to figure out how exactly to make that change. What sort of changes do you want to make? Are they internal? External? Do you feel capable of making those changes on your own? Or do you think you may need the help of somebody else? Now it’s time to find the answers.
If you want to try making change on your own first, a quick Google search can pull up infinite resources to help you find self-help books, habit-changing strategies, mindfulness techniques, and more to guide you on your way.
However, if you’ve found your way to this page, you’re likely seeking outside help. This can be daunting if you’re unsure what you’re looking for. In the therapy world, you’ll often hear the phrase “good fit”. This means you want to find somebody who meshes well with your unique needs, personality, and lifestyle. Studies show that having a good relationship between you and your therapist predicts better outcomes in therapy than any particular type of treatment (Ardito and Rabellino, 2011; Norcross and Lambert, 2018; Castonguay and Hill, 2017; Elliot, Bohart, Watson, & Murphy, 2018)
99% of therapists will offer a free phone consultation so you can talk for 15-20 minutes about what working with them will feel and look like. Ideally, you’ll have already read about their background, specialities, treatment style, and fees. You may have even emailed / messaged them to inquire about something you couldn’t find in their information online. This next step will be the final step toward officially committing to a relationship without actually pulling the trigger.
The phone consultation is designed to let you actually interact with me. Although you can learn a lot about somebody via profiles and websites, talking with me will give you a much better impression. In a typical phone consultation, you’ll discuss the basics about what you’re wanting to work on, your past experience with therapy (if any), and scheduling needs. By the end of the call, you should have all the information you need (via prior research and now an interactive feel) to decide if you want to move forward and schedule your first appointment.
Step 4- Your First Appointment
When you schedule your first appointment with me, I’ll send you some forms for you to sign and fill out. These include informed consent, practice policies, payment authorizations, confidentiality, and an intake questionnaire. These are not meant to intimidate or overwhelm you. They are designed to help you understand the fine details of how therapy works and protect both of us as we embark on this journey together. If you come across something you don’t understand or have questions about, we can go over those when you arrive.
Your first appointment at Lakeside Counseling is called the ‘initial consultation’. Although we already completed an initial phone consultation, your first appointment will be our first official session together. My goal is to get a good capture of you and your life story- I want to learn about how you got to where you are today. Most importantly though, we will discuss your goals for therapy. We use these goals to monitor your progress and determine when you are ‘done’ so to speak.
The initial appointment can take anywhere from 60-90 minutes depending on what you bring to the table. After that, half (30 min) or full (50 min) sessions are ideally scheduled once a week to facilitate learning, keep up with goal objectives, monitor progress, and address any newfound issues.
Step 5- Growth and Healing
Repeat after me- growth and healing are not linear. This is something important for anyone to remind themselves when they are working on bettering their life or working through a tough situation. While big strides are great and definitely possible, so are setbacks and relapses. Both gains and losses are common in the growth process. When we expect things to go a certain way or progress in a certain timeframe, we often set ourselves up for failure and disappointment. What shows real progress over time is how you handle the lower points when they do occur.
Although therapy doesn’t always have to be a long-term thing, growth and healing happen over time. It takes time to rewire brain pathways, stop destructive habits, build healthier behaviors, and practice the coping skills necessary to combat stress-inducing situations. Patience and self-compassion are invaluable in the healing process. We need to understand change doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s much more complicated than x + y = z.
Notice the little things, and celebrate the small victories. Praising and rewarding those steps forward, however small, will aid in the rewiring process and encourage you to keep moving when times get tough. When you look back, look at how far you’ve come, and take moments to relish in gratitude and pride for the fruits of your labor.
Step 6- Termination
Counseling is not meant to last forever. Although some people may engage in counseling for a longer period of time (even years), the ultimate goal is developing the skills to live an autonomous life. Discussing timelines is an important part of the counseling process, so you can have an idea of how long we will work together. However, this is often an ongoing discussion due to the fluctuating nature of treatment progress and goals.
When you and I decide to end the therapeutic relationship, ideally we do this gradually over multiple sessions. Ending treatment gradually helps to highlight the important skills you’ve learned, remember how far you’ve come, and go over gains you’ve made in treatment. You can also space these ending sessions further apart to practice going longer periods of time without speaking with me.
Ultimately, terminating therapy does not mean you can never see me again. If new circumstances arise, symptoms return, or you need a ‘touch up’ session to go over a specific issue, that is normal and totally okay. Termination simply means you have the skills to live the normal, healthy, happy life you deserve. You’re finally ready to spread your wings and fly.
In today’s fast-paced world, where stress, anxiety, and mental health challenges have become increasingly prevalent, the search for effective solutions has intensified. Among the myriad of options available, two prominent avenues stand out: actual therapy and self-help. While self-help resources and techniques certainly have their merits, it is crucial to recognize the unique benefits that professional therapy and counseling can offer. In this blog post, we delve into the realm of therapy, exploring its distinctive advantages over self-help approaches.
Professional Expertise
Actual therapy is conducted by licensed mental health professionals who have undergone extensive training, education, and clinical experience. These experts possess a deep understanding of human psychology and the complex intricacies of mental health. Their expertise allows them to provide personalized guidance tailored to your specific needs and challenges. While self-help resources can provide general information, they lack the personalized insights and professional assessments that therapists offer.
Individualized Approach
One of the most significant advantages of professional therapy lies in its ability to tailor treatment plans to meet your unique circumstances. Therapists work closely with you, conducting in-depth assessments and evaluations to gain a comprehensive understanding of your struggles, strengths, and goals. This personalized approach ensures that therapy sessions are specifically designed to address your individual needs, leading to more targeted and effective outcomes.
Evidence-Based Interventions
Actual therapy is grounded in evidence-based practices that have undergone rigorous research and evaluation. Therapists integrate scientifically validated techniques and interventions to support your mental well-being. They draw from a wide range of therapeutic modalities, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and psychodynamic therapy, among others, depending on your specific requirements. Self-help resources, on the other hand, may lack scientific validation, leaving you uncertain about their efficacy and potential impact on your mental health.
Emotional Support and Guidance
Navigating through challenging times can be emotionally demanding, and having a trained professional by your side can make a substantial difference. Therapists provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can express your thoughts, emotions, and concerns without fear of criticism. Their empathetic support and guidance help you gain new perspectives, develop coping strategies, and cultivate resilience. While self-help resources can offer guidance to some extent, they cannot replicate the depth of emotional support that an actual therapist can provide.
Accountability and Progress Tracking
Engaging in actual therapy fosters a sense of accountability and progress tracking. Regular therapy sessions offer an opportunity to reflect on your journey, celebrate milestones, and identify areas for growth. Therapists help you set achievable goals and hold you accountable for taking steps towards positive change. This structured approach can significantly enhance your motivation and commitment to personal growth. In contrast, self-help resources lack this element of external accountability, making it easier to lose focus and momentum.
Conclusion
While self-help resources undoubtedly have their place in supporting personal development and mental well-being, actual therapy stands as a transformative and powerful avenue for growth. With professional expertise, individualized approaches, evidence-based interventions, emotional support, and a sense of accountability, therapy offers unique advantages that self-help resources cannot replicate. If you are ready to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery, healing, and personal growth, professional therapy may be the transformative path you seek. Remember, you don’t have to face life’s challenges alone—reach out and discover the profound benefits that actual therapy can bring to your life.
