Category: Therapy

You may know someone who has been diagnosed with or is suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But how much do you know about this most common childhood brain disorder?

A fact from WebMD shows that ADHD is the most common mental or developmental disorder among children in the United States. Children under the age of 18 with ADHD outnumber those with autism spectrum disorder by nearly four to one.

ADHD symptoms typically appear between the ages of 3 and 6. Children with more severe ADHD are typically diagnosed around the age of five. Mild cases are typically discovered around the age of eight. Children with hyperactivity and impulsivity are frequently diagnosed earlier than children with inattention alone.

It should also be noted that ADHD can become milder or change as children grow. For example, hyperactivity may subside as they age. However, young adults with ADHD may suffer from depression, mood disorders, or substance abuse issues.

In this article, we will be discussing how to help a child suffering from ADHD, but before that we need to understand what ADHD is all about so as to find the best way to help a child out.

Understanding ADHD

It is important to understand the meaning of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

ADHD is a chronic condition characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and, at times, impulsivity. ADHD usually begins in childhood and lasts into adulthood. As adults, up to two out of every three children with ADHD continue to have symptoms.

ADHD symptoms vary from person to person, but there are three basic types of ADHD. The term “addiction” refers to the process of becoming addicted to something. When the primary symptoms are inattention, distraction, and disorganization, the condition is referred to as primarily inattentive.

The symptoms of hyperactivity and possibly impulsiveness appear to fade with age, but they are still present in the hyperactive/impulsive type. The third type, known as the combined type, shares some symptoms with the other two.

Children with ADHD frequently struggle to function at home and at school, and they may have difficulty making and maintaining friends. If untreated, ADHD can interfere with school, work, and social and emotional development.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms (ADHD)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms can be divided into two types of behavioral issues:

• inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)
• impulsiveness and hyperactivity

Many ADHD patients have issues that fall into both of these categories, but this is not always the case.

For example, approximately 2 to 3 out of every 10 people with the condition have difficulty concentrating and focusing, but not hyperactivity or impulsiveness.

This form of ADHD is also known as attention deficit disorder (ADD). Because the symptoms of ADD are not always obvious, they can go unnoticed.

ADHD is more common in boys than in girls. Girls are more likely to have symptoms of inattention only and are less likely to exhibit disruptive behavior that highlights ADHD symptoms. As a result, girls with ADHD may not always be diagnosed.

Symptoms in Children and Adolescents

ADHD symptoms in children and teenagers are well-defined, and they usually appear before the age of six. They occur in multiple contexts, such as at home and at school.

Children may exhibit symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity and impulsiveness, or they may exhibit only one of these types of behavior.

Impulsiveness and hyperactivity

The main symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness are inability to sit still, particularly in calm or quiet surroundings, unable to concentrate on tasks due to constant fidgeting, Excessive physical movement, excessive talking, inability to wait their turn, acting without thinking, interrupting conversations, and a lack of a sense of danger.

Inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing)

The following are the primary indicators of inattention:

• Being easily distracted and having a short attention span
• Making careless mistakes, such as in schoolwork
• Appearing to be forgetful or to be losing things
• Being unable to complete time-consuming or tedious tasks
• Appearing unable to listen to or follow instructions
• A task or activity that is constantly changing
• Having trouble organizing tasks.

These symptoms can lead to significant problems in a child’s life, such as academic underachievement, poor social interaction with other children and adults, and behavioral issues.

What are the Possible Causes of ADHD in child?

Scientists are researching the cause(s) and risk factors of ADHD in order to find better ways to manage and reduce the likelihood of a person having the disorder.

Although the cause(s) and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, current research indicates that genetics plays a significant role. Recent research has linked genetic factors, Brain structure and function, and Threatened groups to ADHD.

Genetic factors

ADHD runs in families, and it’s thought that the genes you inherit from your parents play a significant role in developing the condition.

According to research, parents and siblings of someone with ADHD are more likely to have the disorder themselves.

However, the inheritance of ADHD is likely to be complex, and it is not thought to be caused by a single genetic flaw.

Brain structure and function

A number of possible differences in the brains of people with ADHD and those without the condition have been identified by research, though the exact significance of these differences is unknown.

Brain scan studies, for example, have suggested that certain areas of the brain in people with ADHD may be smaller, while others may be larger.

Other research has suggested that people with ADHD may have an imbalance in neurotransmitter levels in the brain, or that these chemicals may not work properly.

Threatened groups

Certain people are also thought to be more vulnerable to ADHD, including those who were born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy) or with low birthweight, people with epilepsy, and people with brain damage – which occurred either in the womb or later in life.

Possible steps to help a child with ADHD

It can be difficult to care for a child who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD’s impulsive, fearless, and chaotic behaviors can make daily activities exhausting and stressful.

Pay Positive Attention

Parenting an ADHD child can be exhausting. Even the most patient parent can become exhausted by their never-ending supply of energy and desire to talk all the time. Providing a child with ADHD with positive attention, on the other hand, is a wise investment.

Positive playtime reduces the need for attention. It will also improve the effectiveness of your consequences. Set aside one-on-one time with your child every day, no matter how difficult their behavior has been.

Exercise

Ensure that your child gets plenty of physical activity throughout the day. Walking, skipping, and participating in sports can help your child exhaust themselves and improve their sleep quality.

Check that they aren’t doing anything strenuous or exciting close to bedtime.

When Necessary, Use Time-Out

Time-outs can be an effective way to help children with ADHD calm their bodies and minds.

A time-out does not have to be severe. Instead, it can be a valuable life skill that can be applied in a variety of situations.

Teach your child to go to a quiet place to calm down when they are overstimulated or frustrated. Make a comfortable space for them and gently lead them there, not as punishment, but as a way for them to relax. Before getting into trouble, your child will eventually learn to go to this location on their own.

Recognize Your Child’s Hard Work

Catch your child doing something good and praise them. Children with ADHD respond positively to praise, and frequent feedback is essential.

Make your compliments specific. You could probably say, “Great job putting your dish in the sink right when I asked you to,” instead of “well done.” Praise your child for following directions, playing quietly, and sitting still, and they will be more likely to continue.

Eating

It is important for you to keep a close eye on what your child consumes. If your child becomes hyperactive after eating certain foods that may contain additives or caffeine, keep a diary of these and consult with your doctor.

Provide Clear Instructions

Children with short attention spans require extra assistance in following directions. They frequently do not hear the instructions in the first place. To improve the effectiveness of your instructions, begin by capturing your child’s full attention. Turn off the television, establish eye contact, and place a hand on your child’s shoulder before making a request.

Avoid chain commands like, “Put on your socks, clean your room, and then take out the trash.” A child with ADHD is more likely to put on their socks and then find something else to do on the way to their room rather than cleaning it. Give each instruction one at a time.

Night time

Sleep issues and ADHD can create a vicious circle. ADHD can cause sleep problems, which can exacerbate symptoms.

Many children with ADHD wake up frequently after being put to bed and have disrupted sleep patterns. Trying a sleep-friendly routine can benefit your child and make bedtime less stressful.

Ignore Minor Infractions

Attention-seeking behavior is common in children with ADHD. Giving them attention, even if it is negative, encourages them to continue their behavior.

Ignoring minor misbehavior teaches them that obnoxious behavior will not result in desired outcomes. Ignore whining, complaining, loud noises, and interruption attempts. Your child will eventually stop.

Create a Reward System

Reward systems can be an excellent way to keep children with ADHD on track.

Traditional reward systems, however, often bore children with ADHD because they require them to wait too long to earn a reward. Consider implementing a token economy system to assist your child in earning tokens throughout the day.

Set a few target token-earning behaviors, such as staying at the table during a meal, using gentle touches with a pet, or putting toys away after they have been used. Allow tokens to be exchanged for larger rewards, such as electronics time or the opportunity to play a favorite game together.

Collaboration with Your Child’s Teacher

When parents collaborate with a child’s teacher, the chances of a child’s academic success increase. To be successful, some children require modifications to their schoolwork, such as extra time on tests.

Changes in behavior may also be required. Forcing a child with ADHD to stay in for recess may exacerbate behavioral issues. As a result, it’s critical to collaborate to develop a behavior management plan that will support your child’s efforts to manage their symptoms.

If all these steps are followed accordingly, there’s a high possibility of the child to heal faster.

A final thought on how to help a child with ADHD

Helping a child with ADHD is very important so they get to enjoy their childhood.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 11% of all children in the United States have ADHD, and that number is rising.

It should be noted that, while ADHD is most commonly associated with young children, particularly boys, it affects many adults of any gender.

This fact shows that there’s a need to help a child with ADHD by following some practice steps which have been highlighted in this article.

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In a time when substance abuse among youth is at an all-time high, it’s important to acknowledge the devastating effects of addiction and its prevalence in our society.

With the opioid crisis ravaging communities across the country, one should consider addiction treatment as a viable option for their loved ones.

But where does one find such a facility? There are many benefits to considering an addiction treatment center for your loved ones.

Here are some of them:

Offers Comprehensive Care

Addiction Treatment Center for Recovery provides comprehensive care from both medical professionals and counselors.

They help alleviate withdrawal symptoms and offer luxury detox services that allow people in need to get sober faster than traditional methods would allow.

For some, this is the only chance they have to reclaim their lives. If a facility can offer such relief, why wouldn’t families consider it?

Hospitality Is Key

Addiction Treatment Centers are welcoming centers for all that make an appointment, offering warmth and comfort to each patient.

For those who are new to the recovery process, a sense of comfort can help build connections that support addiction recovery and long-term sobriety. If your family member needs a helping hand in conquering their addiction, the addiction treatment center for Addictions Solutions could be the answer.

Offers an Environment of Support

Those who seek treatment understand that they need support. With the help of counselors and medical professionals, those seeking recovery are better able to face their addiction with strength and courage.

A center like this can offer encouragement, ensuring that addicts feel comfortable enough to seek help. This means more people will be able to seek treatment in a place that’s both a haven and a comfortable place to get started on the path to wellness.

Helps Patients Live Life Without Addiction

With the right treatment, individuals addicted to substances like alcohol or drugs no longer have to feel guilty about their actions.

A drug rehab center like this helps people rebuild trust in themselves and their relationships by helping them gain new perspectives on themselves, whether they’ve been formerly heavy drinkers or drug users.

Provides A Chance to Regain Life After Drug Addiction

Finding recovery can be hard, but those seeking help can find support in a place like this. A treatment center that offers holistic care and is tailored to each client’s needs can help addicts learn new skills and perspectives to become healthy and productive members of society.

This helps people feel confident that they can create a better quality of life for themselves and their loved ones.

Offers Professional Medical Attention

Those seeking addiction treatment are often so used to the abuses of prescription drugs or other drugs. It is hard to find a medicine that meets the needs of addicts without side effects.

An addiction treatment center for addiction solutions can provide a variety of options. This includes medication to help with withdrawal and any other medical needs that may arise.

Professional Support

Addiction treatment centers provide professional support from trained and experienced healthcare professionals.

These professionals understand the complexities of addiction and can provide personalized treatment plans to address an individual’s unique needs. They can also offer medical support to manage withdrawal symptoms and provide ongoing care to ensure the individual’s safety and well-being.

Peer Support

Addiction treatment centers offer peer support from other individuals in recovery. This support can be invaluable in helping individuals feel less isolated and more motivated to achieve their goals.

Peers can also offer encouragement, share their experiences, and provide insights into their recovery journey.

Structured Schedule

Addiction treatment centers provide a structured schedule that helps individuals establish healthy routines and habits.

The schedule typically includes a range of activities, such as therapy sessions, group meetings, exercise, and healthy meals. This structure can help individuals build self-discipline and establish healthy habits that support long-term recovery.

Holistic Approaches

Addiction treatment centers often incorporate holistic approaches into their treatment programs. These approaches focus on treating the whole person, including their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Holistic approaches may include yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and other alternative therapies. These therapies can help individuals reduce stress, manage anxiety and depression, and improve their overall well-being.

Aftercare Support

Addiction treatment centers provide ongoing aftercare support to help individuals maintain their sobriety after treatment.

Aftercare support may include continuing therapy, participation in support groups, and access to community resources. Aftercare support can help individuals stay connected to their recovery community and access the support they need to maintain their sobriety.

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Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a treatment approach that helps you figure out negative or unhelpful thought and behavior patterns.

Its goal is to let you comprehend, recognize, and investigate the ways in which your feelings and thoughts might influence your behavior.

As you become aware of a pattern in your behavior, it is simple to alter it and create coping mechanisms. One of the most researched therapeutic modalities is CBT.

CBT emphasizes how having negative ideas can result in negative feelings and behaviors. CBT shows you to concentrate on fixing your current issue.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques

These are some of the techniques involved in Cognitive Behavioral therapy.

Goal setting

You can make changes to your health and quality of life as you recover from mental illness by setting goals. Your goal-setting abilities can be improved and strengthened during cognitive behavioral therapy.

Your therapist could assist you in creating SMART objectives that place equal weight on the process and the final result. SMART is the acronym for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-limited.

Guided discovery and questioning

After questioning the assumptions you have about yourself or your current situation, your therapist can help you learn to challenge these thoughts and consider different viewpoints.

Journaling

You might be asked to jot down negative beliefs that come up during the week and told to replace them with positive ones.

Self-talk

Your therapist may ask what you tell yourself about a certain situation or experience and challenge you to replace negative or critical self-talk with compassionate, constructive self-talk.

Cognitive restructuring

This involves looking at any cognitive distortions affecting your thoughts — such as black-and-white thinking, jumping to conclusions, or catastrophizing and beginning to unravel them.

Thought recording

In this technique, you’ll record thoughts and feelings experienced during a specific situation, then come up with unbiased evidence supporting your negative belief and evidence against it. You’ll use this evidence to develop a more realistic thought.

Positive activities

Setting a rewarding activity for each day can help increase overall positivity and improve your mood. In cognitive behavioral therapy, people are often taught new skills that can be used in everyday real-world situations.

Situation exposure

Taking the time to identify these thoughts can lead to self-discovery and provide insights that are essential to the treatment process.

Cognitive behavioral therapy types

There are various forms of therapy that fit under the CBT umbrella. While each type of cognitive behavioral therapy takes a different approach, all work to address the underlying thought patterns that contribute to psychological distress.

Your therapist will work together with you to find the type that works best for you and your goals. The Types of cognitive Behavioral therapy include:

Exposure therapy:

This type of therapy slowly introduces anxiety-inducing activities into your life for measured periods of time. This subtype can be particularly effective for people who deal with phobias or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT):

DBT incorporates things like mindfulness and emotional regulation through talk therapy in an individual or group setting. It addresses destructive or disturbing thoughts and behaviors while incorporating treatment strategies.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT):

ACT is therapy that involves learning to accept negative or unwanted thoughts. This subtype may be particularly effective for people who deal with intrusive thoughts or catastrophic thinking.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT):

MBCT uses mindfulness techniques and meditation along with cognitive therapy. This type can be particularly effective for people who deal with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT): 

REBT is the original form of CBT and focuses on negative thought patterns and how they influence issues with emotions or behaviors.

Rational emotive behavior therapy involves identifying irrational beliefs, actively challenging these beliefs, and finally learning to recognize and change these thought patterns.

This subtype can be particularly effective for anything from anxiety to depression, sleep issues to addictive behaviors, and more.

Conclusion on the Cognitive Behavioral therapy techniques

Each sort of therapy can be advantageous for you, your loved ones, or the general public. The therapy’s total duration is brief.

The purpose of CBT is to assist you in acquiring the ability to handle challenges on your own when they arise. Throughout therapy and after, these tools assist patients in gaining control over their problems.

If you’re seeking therapy that focuses more on the issues you’re currently encountering than those from the past, CBT can be a good option for you.

Many different techniques are applied when using CBT. Depending on the type of issue you want help with, your therapist will help figure out which CBT technique is best suited to your particular needs.

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Physical wellness is an essential aspect of overall well-being. Maintaining good physical health can lead to a longer, healthier life.

In this article, we will explore the factors that contribute to physical wellness, the benefits of physical wellness, and tips for achieving and maintaining physical wellness.

We will also discuss the role of physical therapy in physical wellness and how to find the right physical therapist for you.

Understanding Physical Wellness

Physical wellness is maintaining a healthy quality of life that allows us to engage in essential activities.

Factors contributing to physical wellness include diet, exercise, sleep, stress management, and more. When these factors are balanced, we are more likely to maintain good physical health.

The Benefits of Physical Wellness

The benefits of physical wellness are numerous. Good physical health can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

It can also reduce the risk of injury and help us recover more quickly from injury or illness. In addition to physical benefits, maintaining good physical wellness can positively affect mental health, including reducing stress, improving mood, and increasing energy levels.

How to Achieve Physical Wellness

There are many ways to achieve physical wellness, but some key factors include regular exercise, a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and stress management. Exercise is an essential component of physical wellness.

It helps to improve cardiovascular health, maintain a healthy body weight, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

A healthy diet is also important for maintaining physical wellness. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help maintain a healthy body weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Sleep is another essential factor in physical wellness. Getting enough sleep helps to reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and maintain a healthy immune system. Finally, stress management is an essential aspect of physical wellness.

Finding ways to manage stress, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or engaging in hobbies, can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being.

Incorporating Physical Wellness into Your Daily Life

Making small changes to your daily routine can help you maintain physical wellness. Some tips for incorporating physical wellness into your daily life include taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking or biking instead of driving, or taking breaks throughout the day to stretch and move your body.

Setting small, achievable goals can also help you stay motivated to maintain physical wellness. Finally, having the support of friends and family can also help maintain physical wellness.

The Role of Physical Therapy in Physical Wellness

Physical therapy, like Primal Physical Therapy, is a healthcare specialty that can help individuals recover from physical injuries, disabilities, or impairments. It is also an essential aspect of maintaining physical wellness.

Physical therapy can help individuals maintain good physical health by teaching them how to move correctly and safely, reducing pain and inflammation, improving their range of motion, strength, and flexibility, and helping to manage chronic conditions. Physical therapy can help with common conditions, including back pain, arthritis, and injury recovery.

Finding the Right Physical Therapist for You

When searching for a physical therapist, it is important to consider factors such as credentials, experience, and specialty areas.

Look for a physical therapist who is licensed and certified and who has experience working with individuals with your specific condition or injury.

Communicating with your physical therapist and being open about your goals, concerns, and preferences is also essential. Finding the right physical therapist can help ensure you receive the best care and support for your physical wellness journey.

Conclusion

In conclusion, maintaining good physical wellness is essential to overall well-being. By incorporating small changes into your daily routine and focusing on factors such as exercise, healthy

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Good mental health is a state of positive social, emotional, and psychological well-being. Usually, mental health impacts how you feel, think, act, interact with others, make decisions, and cope with difficult situations. 

When one has good mental health, they’re creative, can manage stress, enjoy relating with people, and make better decisions. Also, they can learn, take risks, and thrive in their professional and personal lives. 

What Is A Mental Illness?

A mental illness or disorder is a condition that negatively affects your behavior, mood, and thinking. Examples include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Others are schizophrenia, attention deficit hypersensitivity disorder (ADHD), addictive behaviors, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, and eating disorders. 

Mental health issues can develop at any stage of life. Typically, the conditions can result from life experiences such as trauma, abuse, stress, or neglect. Some mental health issues are hereditary, while others may develop due to brain defects, injury, infections, prolonged substance abuse, and prenatal damage.

Signs and symptoms of mental illness vary depending on a person’s condition. Examples of these include:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Extreme mood changes
• Having suicidal thoughts
• Feelings of hopelessness, unworthiness, and helplessness
• Losing interest in previously enjoyable things
• Hallucinations
• Difficulty coping with stress and daily challenges
• Withdrawal from friends and loved ones
• Physical health issues like headaches, stomach aches, and back pain
• Sleeping or eating too little or too much

Mental illness can negatively impact how you function at work or school, socially, and in your relationship. Therefore, it’s best to seek treatment as soon as you recognize any signs and symptoms. Left untreated, a mental illness may worsen over time and possibly lead to unemployment, financial hardship, poor quality of life, substance abuse, incarceration, or suicide.

There are various forms of treatment for mental illnesses. These include medications, hospitalization, and alternative and complementary medicine. 

Some people may prefer therapy over other treatment options. It’s because results are believed to be longer-lasting, and patients learn effective coping skills. It means one understands what triggers certain reactions and how to deal with them. Besides, patients also learn how to identify negative or inaccurate thoughts and how to replace or challenge them. 

Examples Of Therapies For Mental Health Disorders

You might want to consider therapy for treating a specific mental illness. In this case, you must find a reputable treatment facility like Jackson House with experienced mental health professionals. 

Standard therapies for mental health conditions include the following:

• Counseling

Counseling is a talking therapy wherein a patient speaks to a trained counselor. Counseling can be helpful when dealing with mental health issues like eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. 

This type of therapy can also help with challenges that may lead to mental health conditions like work, family, and relationship-related stress, grief, infertility, and other life challenges. In addition, you may find it beneficial to talk to a counselor if you’re experiencing anger, sadness, low self-esteem, and other negative emotions. 

A counselor provides a blame and judgment-free environment for you to share your emotions, feelings, and difficulties. These mental health professionals help by providing validation, support, and a safe place to vent about issues. They also offer guidance on expressing and managing emotions, finding purpose, and identifying and controlling self-defeating behaviors. 

You may choose traditional face-to-face or group counseling sessions. Fortunately, technology has made counseling easier and more accessible regardless of geographical location. So, today, you may consider availing yourself of counseling via email or a video conferencing platform. 

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is built on the idea that feelings, thoughts, actions, and bodily sensations are interconnected. How you think about a particular situation can affect how you feel and behave. Also, certain beliefs you may have about yourself could cause distress. 

CBT helps you identify irrational or unhelpful thoughts and beliefs that impact your feelings and actions. After that, your therapist will provide tools to help you stop and replace the harmful thoughts and beliefs with positive ones. 

Furthermore, they help you gain a better perspective and practice healthy responses. You don’t focus too much on past occurrences in CBT sessions. Instead, you spend most of the time tackling the present symptoms and making helpful changes.

CBT may be useful for patients with OCD, panic attacks, PTSD, stress, phobias, some schizophrenia symptoms, and eating and substance use disorders. The sessions can be face-to-face with a therapist. 

They use different approaches to help you identify and control negative thoughts, establish life challenges, and learn and practice new helpful behaviors. Besides one-on-one meetings with a therapist, you may sign up for an online course, buy a self-help book, or join a group session.  

• Art Therapy

Art therapy focuses on the idea that creative expression can help bring healing and lead to positive mental health. Some techniques used are drawing, sculpting, painting, coloring, and photography. The therapist creates a safe and judgment-free space for patients. This enables them to express and explore their feelings or difficulties through art.  

The mental health professional will evaluate the emotional undertones of a person’s work to comprehend their thoughts, behaviors, and feelings. With this, they can help patients resolve deeper issues. As a result, the therapist can work with them to improve their social skills, deal with stress, nurture self-awareness, and enhance self-esteem.

Art therapy may be helpful for people dealing with depression, substance use disorder, anxiety, PTSD, and eating disorders. It could also be useful for patients struggling with issues that can negatively impact their mental health, like relationship and family struggles, stress, physical disabilities, and chronic diseases.

Final Thoughts

Mental health issues can develop at any stage of life. They can negatively impact your mood, thinking, and behavior. As a result, you may experience family, work, and social challenges. 

It’s best to seek treatment as soon as possible because untreated mental health issues may lead to difficulty keeping a job, financial problems, poor quality of life, or even suicide. Common mental illnesses include OCD, ADHD, PTSD, depression, phobias, anxiety, and eating disorders.

There are various treatment options for mental illness, like prescription medication and hospital or residential treatment. You may also try therapy, which many consider more effective and longer-lasting for certain mental health disorders. 

The above discussion provides insights into different types of therapy, how they work, and what each is beneficial for. It may be time to reach out to a therapist, discuss your preferred approach, and start treatment to improve your social, emotional, psychological, and overall well-being.

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Drug and alcohol addiction, or substance use disorder (SUD), is a condition characterized by a person’s inability to control drug and alcohol use.

When you become addicted, you can’t resist the urge to take drugs and drink alcohol despite knowing the harm it may cause. 

In most cases, addiction begins with experimental use in social situations. For example, if you’re peers are drug users, how can you say no when they offer you some? For many, it becomes more recurrent until they can no longer control it. 

The risk of drug and alcohol addiction may vary depending on the substance used. Some drugs are more potent and may trigger addiction faster than others. These include cocaine, marijuana, opioid painkillers, nicotine, stimulants, and methamphetamine.

Today, there are many ways to treat drug and alcohol addiction. Behavioral therapy is one of them, which aims to help individuals identify and change their self-inflicting and unhealthy behaviors. It posits that learned behaviors can be altered for the better. 

If you seek behavioral therapy to combat your addiction, visit jacksonhouserehab.com or other rehab facilities to start the treatment. Mental health professionals (e.g., psychiatrists and psychologists) will guide you toward sobriety.

Below are the different types of behavioral therapy experts may recommend for you to overcome your addiction.

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy well-recognized for treating addiction and other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. The principle behind CBT indicates that addiction is based on negative behaviors and self-destructive thinking patterns.

CBT is defined as a combination of cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It identifies maladaptive thought patterns, behavior, and emotional response and replaces them with more desirable ones.

The main goal of CBT is to help individuals determine and change unhealthy thinking patterns that may negatively affect their moods, emotions, and behaviors. During the therapy, such thinking is identified and substituted with healthier thoughts.

Here are the techniques used in CBT:

• Negative Thought Identification: This is the process of knowing the feelings, situations, and thoughts that contribute to unhealthy behaviors. However, it’s often challenging, especially for individuals who can’t examine themselves.
• Practicing Coping Skills: In CBT, individuals are taught skills they can use in real life. For example, people with SUD can practice techniques and strategies to help them deal with situations that may trigger a relapse.
• Setting Goals: This is an important step in overcoming addiction, helping you improve your life and health. During a CBT session, a mental health expert can help you identify your goals and classify them, whether short- or long-term.
• Solving Problems: This technique will teach you how to solve conflicts caused by life stressors. This can also help you minimize the negative impact of physical and psychological illnesses.
• Self-Monitoring: This technique involves keeping track of behaviors, experiences, and symptoms and discussing them with a mental health expert. With this, experts can identify the best treatment for your condition.
• Therapeutic Role-Playing: This technique is often used to treat phobias, but it can also be used to combat addiction. It allows individuals to practice skills that may help them overcome relapse and substance cravings.

Other techniques utilized in CBT include journaling, mental distractions, and relaxation.

2. Contingency Management 

Contingency management (CM) is a behavioral therapy that rewards individuals for every positive change they make in their lives.

CM is based on operant conditioning—a principle that incentivizes individuals for their healthy behaviors. Incentives can be a movie pass, raffle-draw prizes, discount coupons, free meal vouchers, etc. However, no rewards will be given if there’s no improvement in behavior.

So, what are the possible behaviors that can be rewarded based on the principles of CM? 

• Attending treatment schedules without missing a single one
• Attending support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• Testing negative in drug tests
• Consistently avoiding drug and alcohol use
• Engaging in activities that promote recovery
• Taking medications at the right time and the right dosage

CM also comes in different variations and interventions, such as abstinence CM, attendance CM, and voucher-based reinforcement.

• Abstinence CM: In this intervention, individuals must provide drug tests to their therapist. If the results of their tests are negative, they’ll be eligible for incentives, such as prize slips in different denominations.
• Attendance CM: The main goal of this intervention is to encourage individuals to complete their attendance for therapy sessions. This technique can help increase an individual’s overall sense of accomplishment.
• Voucher-Based Reinforcement: As the name implies, this intervention focuses on providing vouchers to individuals once they achieve a target behavior. They may receive a voucher for every negative test result they provide, which can be exchanged for goods.

Another CM intervention is prize-based CM. It’s similar to voucher-based reinforcement. But instead of vouchers, it offers individuals opportunities to win cash prizes. Cash prizes may range from USD$1 to USD$100.

3. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) is a type of CBT that focuses on helping individuals manage thoughts and emotions in a more realistic and healthier way.

Identifying irrational beliefs is also a goal of REBT. Irrational beliefs are negative responses to stressful life events and situations, resulting in more problems. 

The main principle of REBT can be explained by the ABC model. ABC stands for:

• A: Activating event—a situation happening around you
• B: Belief—your thoughts about a particular situation (activating event)
• C: Consequence—your response to a particular belief

The ABC model will help you recognize the irrational beliefs that can cause psychological disturbances. Usually, these are perceived as ‘absolutes,’ such as ‘I can’t,’ ‘I won’t,’ or ‘I shall.’ Here are some examples of common irrational beliefs:

• You must feel overly upset over other people’s failures in life.
• You must be successful and always on top of everything so that people may find you valuable.
• You will only be happy if you avoid all the challenges in life.
• You will never be able to control your happiness. It will always be dependent on external factors.

Once you’ve identified your irrational beliefs, it’s time to replace them with healthier ones. Note that this can be overwhelming at some point, and it’s alright to make a mistake and feel discomfort about your assessment of yourself.

Here are three key concepts REBT wants you to follow:

• You deserve to be accepted regardless of what you achieved and what mistakes you made in life.
• Other people also deserve to be accepted, even if their mood and behavior are something you hate a lot.
• You will experience a lot of negative things in life because life isn’t designed to be always positive.

Some techniques your therapist may use to target your emotional responses include guided imagery, journaling, and meditation.

4. Dialectic Behavioral Therapy

Dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT) is another form of CBT. It aims to teach individuals how to stay in touch with the present, regulate their behavior and emotions, strengthen their relationships with others, and formulate a healthy way to combat stress.

DBT was initially developed to treat personality disorders, particularly borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, as time passed, it has been used to treat other conditions, including addiction and other self-destructive behavior.

DBT has four treatment stages:

• Stage 1 – Assessment: All your extreme and self-inflicting behaviors will be discussed in this stage. These may include self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
• Stage 2 – Address Issues: This stage addresses concerns that may negatively affect an individual’s quality of life. These may include regulating emotions, interpersonal ability, and tolerating distress.
• Stage 3 – Focus On Self: This stage concentrates on issues that may affect one’s self-confidence and relationships with others (interpersonal).
• Stage 4 – Get The Most Out Of Life: This stage involves a treatment that encourages individuals to experience life to the fullest. It includes finding happiness, building stronger bonds, and pursuing dreams.  

Here are the DBT techniques your therapist may use:

• Mindfulness: DBT aims to develop mindfulness skills, encouraging you to focus on what’s around and inside you (e.g., current emotions, perceptions, impulses, etc.). It also helps you focus on coping skills that may help you overcome addiction.
• Distress Tolerance: This technique allows you to accept who you are and where you are now. It also involves related techniques, such as self-soothing and thinking of the consequences of failure to address distress.
• Emotion Regulation: This technique allows you to manage and control intense negative feelings effectively. Also, it’ll help you identify and change unhealthy emotions and create more positive experiences.

Through DBT, you’ll be able to accept yourself and your circumstances, identify and change unhealthy thought patterns, replace beliefs with more realistic ones, and learn new skills.

5. Twelve-Step Programs

Twelve-step programs support groups that help individuals overcome drug and alcohol addiction—sometimes dual-diagnosis conditions. It was created by AA to recover from alcohol addiction.

The main concept of 12-step programs is to achieve and maintain sobriety by helping one another. And that healing alone isn’t enough unless individuals suffering from addiction submit to a higher omnipotent being.

This omnipotent being doesn’t have to be God, especially if you’re not a Christian. It could be the universe, the support group community, or other higher being depending on your spirituality and religion (e.g., Allah for followers of Islam).

So, what are these 12 steps? 

• Step 1: Admit that you’re powerless over addiction.
• Step 2: Believe that there’s a higher power that can help you.
• Step 3: Surrender all your control to the higher power.
• Step 4: Establish and optimize your personal inventory.
• Step 5: Admit to yourself, someone, and the higher power all your mistakes.
• Step 6: Prepare yourself to be corrected by the higher power.
• Step 7: Ask the higher power to get rid of all your flaws and imperfections.
• Step 8: Create a list of all the mistakes you’ve made towards other people and prepare yourself to ask for apologies.
• Step 9: Reach out to those who have been hurt by your wrongdoings. Stop if you think that talking to them would hurt them more. It means they’re not yet ready for you.
• Step 10: Continue your personal inventory and admit your mistakes.
• Step 11: Seek spiritual connection and enlightenment with the higher power through meditation and prayer.
• Step 12: Carry the message of the 12-step program and offer it as help to those who are in need of it.

Aside from AA, various support groups—with the same goal of fighting addiction—have created their own versions of the 12-step program. These are NA, Gamblers Anonymous (GA), and Heroin Anonymous (HA).

6. Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing (MI) is designed to help individuals be motivated to change their unhealthy behavioral patterns. This approach is effective for individuals with conflicting desires about making behavioral changes.

When it comes to addiction, individuals often have mixed feelings. For example, you want to change your behavior but are not yet ready to do it. MI can address such contradictory ideas by motivating them to change for the better version of themselves.

Here are the four principles behind motivational interviewing:

• Expressing Empathy: Individuals with addiction are often reluctant to seek treatment because of the fear of being judged. However, therapists aim to understand their situation instead of judging them based on their client’s point of view. This is called empathy.
• Developing Discrepancy: This principle is based on the idea that individuals become motivated when they see where they are now. The therapist’s role is to help them define their core values and goals. This encourages individuals to change.
• Rolling With Resistance: This principle encourages therapists to help them understand themselves instead of opposing or challenging individuals with addiction. This can be done by offering different versions of particular events, increasing their motivation to change.
• Supporting Self-Efficacy: This principle encourages therapists to support an individual’s self-efficacy (the confidence to achieve a target behavior). They guide their clients throughout the process, encourage them, and acknowledge every positive change.

Final Words

Drug and alcohol addiction can be treated by undergoing behavioral therapy sessions. Behavioral therapy includes cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, rational emotive behavior therapy, dialectic behavioral therapy, 12-step programs, and motivational interviewing.

These aim to help individuals with addiction identify behaviors learned and change them. If you or a loved one has SUD, talk to a mental health professional as soon as possible. They’ll help you find the right therapy and treatment for your condition.

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The different therapists in Washington have various areas of specialization, this is one of the reasons you have to understand what these therapists offer.

If you are looking for a therapist who can provide a warm and honest therapeutic space, one who can utilize intuition, empathy, and clinical skills to provide an individualized experience, then this blog post is for you.

Here is a list of therapists in Washington to help you;

1. Shellenberger Michelle

Michelle Shellenberger graduated with her Master’s degree in existential-phenomenological psychology from Seattle University in 2001.

Since then, she has continued to study intensively in the area of post-Freudian British object relations, attachment theory, developmental psychology, and miscellaneous in-depth psychologies.

She also has a master’s degree in English literature from the University of Kansas and an undergraduate degree in theology.

Michellle feels that these humanistic studies have greatly enhanced and deepened my understanding and feeling for what it means to be a human being.

She is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Washington, which means that she fulfilled the requirement for post-graduate hours working with patients, hours in clinical supervision, and passed the national clinical exam.

Contact: +1 206-855-0714

Address: 10781 Sunrise Drive NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, United States

2. David Paul Eck MA LMHC

David Paul Eck grew up in Southern California attending private and college prep schools, a rigorous environment that provided valuable educational discipline, but did not nurture his creative nature.

In 1973 serendipity led him into the Fine Arts Department at California State University at Long Beach where he immersed himself in Drawing, Painting, Sculpture and Furniture Design.

He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Art in 1979 and moved to the Snoqualmie Valley in 1980 where he continued to reside.

He received a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in 1993. His internships included Mental Health North in Seattle and work at Washington State’s Juvenile Rehabilitation Center at Echo Glen.

David completed a yearlong intensive with the Institute of Creative Development led by Seattle psychiatrist Dr. Charles Johnston, and continued on with the Institutes’ think tank until 1995. He has been seeing clients in private practice since 1993.

Contact: 425-503-3180

Address: 46302 SE Mount Si Road North Bend, WA 98045

3. Here Now Psychotherapy & Counseling

Sherry Thomas is a psychodynamic, relational, and experiential therapist. She treats a range of problems: mood disorders, psychosis, and other forms of distress; she specializes in the treatment of trauma.

Her work with clients is integrative, humanistic and client-centered. She helps clients uncover, understand, and metabolize their deeper motivations and emotions.

As they become aware of their subconscious, they discover clarity and choice, and their lives begin to change.

She supports clients with emotional regulation, interpersonal communication, and learning mindfulness.

Her work aims to nourish, support, and ground through connection, compassion, and awareness. She is a master’s level Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Washington, LMHC #: LH61141780. She is also a certified Substance User Disorder Professional, SUDP #: CP60616352.

Contact: +1 206-567-1973

Address: 4500 9th Ave NE #300, Seattle, WA 98105, United States

4. Revive Therapy Services, PLLC

Veronica Ngoc Nhan was born in Thailand to refugee Cambodian (Khmer Krom) parents, she was raised in Tacoma, Washington.

Growing up in Tacoma gave her an understanding of different challenges/barriers that people endure, and encouraged her to seek more understanding, compassion, and empathy towards the people around her.

She attended Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) where she obtained her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy.

During her time at PLU, she trained in working with couples, while also interning in clinical settings where she focused on working with children, teens, and young adults.

After graduating, she began her career continuing her focus on teens and young adults with substance use/abuse along with mental health challenges.

Eventually, she transitioned back to her foundation in working with adult individuals and couples, helping them navigate personal and relational obstacles such as anxiety, infidelity, depression, self-esteem and trauma.

Contact: +1 206-580-3335

5. Twin Lakes Counseling

Laura Wallace, PhD, LMFT is licensed as a marriage and family therapist in Washington State (LF60750759) and Texas (#202444) and her NPI number is 1659515013.

She founded Twin Lakes Counseling (TLC) in 2017 out of a strong desire to increase access to mental health services in the Federal Way community and across Washington State.

Laura received her masters degree from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT, and her PhD from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX.

She is an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Approved Supervisor and Approved Supervisor Mentor whose counseling approach integrates systemic, strategic, and Gestalt therapies.

She is a certified teacher of Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) through the Compassion Institute and also loves teaching marriage and family therapy, having served as a Core Faculty member in the Couple and Family Therapy program at Antioch University Seattle and an adjunct professor at Northwest University and Seattle University.

Laura specializes in seeing couples and adolescents and has extensive experience working with families involved in the juvenile justice system and parents at risk of losing their children to substance abuse.

Contact: +1 253-289-6099

Address:3430 SW 320th St, Federal Way, WA 98023, United States

6. Through the Woods Counseling

Rosalind Herrington-Moxon is a veteran, a military spouse, a mother, and a licensed mental health counselor associate as well as a licensed marriage and family therapist associate.

She earned a Master of Arts in Counseling degree from Saint Martin’s University and completed her counseling internship at Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM). She earned her undergraduate degree from Faith International University and Seminary.

Contact; +1 360-884-1243

Address: 2024 Caton Way SW Suite 201, Olympia, WA 98502, United States

7. Veritas Counseling

Kyle Gerry is a licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Washington. He received a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology.

He worked as a clinician with Compass Health, providing mental health counseling to men, women, and couples. He took the position of Clinical Supervisor with Compass Health In 2018, which enabled him to supervise and coach other counselors in the field.

His company, Veritas Initiative, LLC was launched in 2019 with the goal of furthering the pursuit of truth and action through private practice therapy. At this time, he exclusively meets with individuals at his private practice, Veritas Counseling.

Contact: +1 425-243-6153

Address: 14090 Fryelands Blvd #234, Monroe, WA 98272, United States

8. Nancy Bell – Individual Counseling, Marriage & Couples Counselors in Bellevue WA

Nancy bell has been an educator since 1970 and an individual and couples therapist practicing since 1978 holding a Bachelor of Arts from Seattle Pacific and a Masters in Counseling from Seattle University.

Contact: (425) 453-1583

Address: 410 Bellevue Way SE Suite 303 Bellevue, WA 98004

9. Counseling Services

Rebecca Perbix Mallos is a founder of Attachment and Trauma Specialists, an internationally recognized agency specializing in the treatment of children with attachment and Trauma related issues.

Rebecca received her master’s degree in social work in 1990 from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.  Rebecca has over 30 years of experience working with children and families, adoption, attachment, and trauma.

Rebecca is the former director of the Adoption Resource Center of Children’s Home Society of Washington, and Executive Director of the Attachment Disorder Institute, a non-profit organization providing education and support to families and professionals living or working with children with attachment disorders.

She served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Washington’s MSW program in the School of Social Work.

Contact: +1 800-550-2105

Address: 808 6th St South #100, Kirkland, WA 98033, United States

10. Wellness Counseling Inc

Arilda Surridge M.A is a Certified EMDR Therapist and Gottman Level 3 trained. She specialized in trauma, anxiety, depression, and couple’s counseling. She is also trained in Gottman’s Treating Affairs and Trauma.

The primary approaches that she utilizes are EMDR and Gottman Couples Therapy. She also incorporates CBT, and Mindfulness.

She is licensed in the state of WA, and able to offer telehealth/online therapy and she Is also offering in-person services for those able to come into their office on Bainbridge Island, WA. She is a clinical supervisor in the state of WA for unlicensed therapists.

Contact:+1 360-207-1588

Address: 755 Winslow Way E, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, United States

Conclusion on the therapists in Washington

It is usually the uncomfortable presence of emotional symptoms that brings us to consider therapy.  Symptoms that bring us pain beckon us back to a more fruitful path, and encourage us to strengthen ourselves for the journey that unfolds in front of us, a therapist is always available to provide help to you.

The above list of therapists in Washington is in no order of ranking. Every therapist here is worth giving a try.

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Everyone wants the opportunity to reach their full potential. However, life stressors, challenging circumstances, and maladaptive thinking and behavior patterns can serve as barriers to meeting this potential.

The goal of every therapist is to create an affirming and supportive environment for individuals to explore their strengths and develop tools to overcome challenges.

So, when you need therapy remember a therapist is always available to render the best services to you.

Therapists in Virginia Beach

Here are therapists in Virginia Beach

1. Virginia Beach Counseling and Wellness

About the therapy center

At Virginia Beach Counseling and Wellness, their goal is to help you or your family work toward peace, balance, and overall wellness.

Virginia Beach Counseling and Wellness is a small, quiet, private setting.  They serve the Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton and Newport News areas of Hampton Roads.

Their services

• Individual counseling
• Child counseling
• Couple therapy and more

About the Therapist

Amy Walliser is a Licensed Professional Counselor and an EMDR [Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing] trained Therapist. She works with adults, adolescents, and couples.

She has specialized training in LGBTQ+ issues and needs, complex trauma/PTSD, and dissociative disorders.

Amy Walliser practices from a person-centered perspective and work to individualize treatment to each person’s needs and style.

She typically uses trauma informed- cognitive behavioral therapy, movement based on Somatic Experience therapy, and EMDR.

Address: 1553 Bradford Rd. Ste. 102 Virginia Beach, VA 23455

Contact: 757-453-2144

2. Beach Counseling Center

About the Therapy Center

Beach Counseling Center is located in the Virginia Beach area.  They treat a number of mental health disorders, and provide a neutral ground to individuals, families, and couples.

They have trained counselors and four medication management providers.

Their focus is to help individuals overcome depression, anxiety, trauma, panic attacks, and social isolation, by providing a neutral safe space, listening to your concerns, and customizing a treatment plan.  Each plan is tailored to meet your individualized goals.

Services they offer

They provide therapy for Depression and Anxiety, PTSD and Trauma and also offer ADHD Evaluation

About the Therapist

Lindsey pyatt has a Master’s of Science, she is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor.  Her focus is on Trauma, PTSD, Academic Under Achievement, and Crisis. Lindsey has practiced with Dr. Annie for six years.

She uses her professional experience to work with adolescents and adults in learning to cope with such issues as self-esteem, anxiety, relationships, panic attacks and anger issues.

Lindsey is involved with many families as they deal with school issues such as suspension or expulsion, bullying, classroom anxiety, and under achievement.

Address: 1064 Laskin Road, Suite 14C, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451, United States

Contact: (757) 233-1500

3. Coastal Virginia Counseling

About the Therapy Center

Their primary goal at Coastal Virginia Counseling is to provide effective support tailored specifically to the individual and equip their clients with the tools required to live a rich, fulfilling life.

The purpose of their counselors is to help you reach your very best.

At Coastal Virginia Counseling they are determined to provide a positive, goal centered process focused on outcome to every person they have the opportunity to assist.

Services they offer

They offer therapy for the following

• Depression
• Behavioral Problems at Home and School
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
• Socialization
• Parent-Child Relationship Problems and more

About the Therapist

Erica Sartwell is a skilled therapist who helps her clients manage and overcome life’s problems with a gentle approach.

She counsels children, adolescents, couples and families in need of short term or long-term care. She has received training in several areas including Play Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.

Erica received her BA in Behavioral Sciences in Austin, Texas and she received her MA in Professional Counseling in Chicago, Illinois, becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois.

She later moved to Virginia and has enjoyed growing her skills and practice in the Coastal Virginia community.

Address: 101 N. Lynnhaven Rd., Ste 308, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Contact: (757)222-4944

4. Atlantic Family and Adolescent Therapy

About the Therapy center

Atlantic Family and Adolescent Therapy was started in an effort to better serve families and adolescents in Virginia Beach, VA.

They provide kind, patient, and straight forward therapy.  If something is not working or you feel uncomfortable, they want you to be able to communicate that.  The process is for you and only you.

Services they offer

They offer a variety of therapeutic services including individual, family, adolescent, and child therapy.  As a note, their practice is run secularly and everyone is accepted equally.

About the Therapist

Carmen Wolf is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in the state of Virginia, license #0717001347.

She opened Atlantic Family and Adolescent Therapy In 2015, with a goal of helping the Virginia Beach community.

Carmen Wolf received her Bachelors of Art in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Rutgers University in 2008.  She earned her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University in 2012.

​For the last five years her professional experience includes working with adolescents, families, individuals, couples, and foster youth in a variety of settings.

Also, she has extensive experience with dual diagnosis adults that include a variety of diagnostic criteria including Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Substance Abuse.

Address:1120 Laskin Rd Suite 104 Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Contact: 1-757-650-5346

5. Lighthouse Counseling LLC

About the Therapy Center

At Lighthouse Counseling, they are dedicated to fostering healthy relationships and working to heal broken ones.

They also offer counseling and therapy for depression, grief and other issues that need therapy and counseling.

Services they offer

They offer counseling for the following

• Adoption
• Anxiety
• Christian counseling
• Depression
• Mood disorders and more

About the Therapist

Meichell Worthing is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in treating PTSD/C-PTSD.  She holds a BA in Psychology with a minor in both Special Education and Religion/Philosophy from Piedmont College.

Her MA is in Community Counseling from Regent University. She has owned Lighthouse Counseling since January 2008 contracting with FreeKindVA in her work with sex trafficking survivors.

Lighthouse also contracts with AGI, PiN Ministries, and local churches to provide mental health services to the homeless and uninsured.  She has training in EMDR, EMI, TF-CBT, Play Therapy, basic DBT, CISM, Sozo.

She has professional and personal experience with both military and first responder life as well as infertility and adoption.

Address: 505 S Independence Blvd, Ste 213 Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Contact: 757-376-8167

6. Amazing Counseling

About the Therapy center

Amazing Counseling was created with you in mind. They welcome you to a culturally sensitive and supportive safe place to begin your healing journey. They have an unwavering stance against injustice and inequality.

Services they offer

• Individual Psychotherapy for children 10 years old + older
• Individual Psychotherapy for adults
• Family therapy with parent(s) + child(ren)
• Couples therapy
• Group therapy and more services

About the Therapist

Jazzmin Maddox-Coleman has 7 years of experience in the mental health field. She focuses on working with the individual and repairing broken relationships related to the impact of addiction and trauma.

She has worked with people who are addicted to substances, sex, and gambling. At their therapy center, they create a safe and judgment free zone for you to share and for her to help you get to the places you feel like you need to be.

They also discover the roots of how addictions began and develop healthy ways for you to manage through the days.

She also works with couples on gaining intimacy, trust, and effective communication. Jazzmin has specialized training in trauma and addictions, she is a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider (CSOTP) and is in the process of becoming a Certified Sex Therapist.

Address: 3386 Holland Road Suite 101 Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Contact: 757.343.6575

7. Life Compass Therapy, LLC

About the Therapist

Tamara Allen has several years of focused training and experience in treating eating disorders. Her other focus areas include complex trauma, identity development, relationship and family issues, addiction, and crisis management.

She continually incorporates a wide variety of therapeutic approaches in her work and tailors each session to the specific needs of the individual client.

Tami is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Schema Therapy, Brief Solution-Oriented Therapy, Grief Counseling, Positive Psychology, Dream-work, and Family Systems.

Address: 5226 Indian River Rd, Ste 100 Virginia Beach, VA. 23464

Contact: (757) 943-9555

8. First Colonial Psychotherapy Services

About the Therapy center

FCPS was founded by Charles Liggio, LCSW, in 2003. His goal was to bring together a group of mental health professionals with like-minded values and a desire to work creatively in the area of psychotherapy.

Since its inception, FCPS has provided mental health services in a friendly and welcoming environment. Their staff includes highly trained Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Clinical Psychologist who provide a wide range of services to individuals, families.

Be assured that when calling FCPS, it will be a helpful and caring experience. Their friendly and attentive administrative staff, are available to schedule appointments with their therapists and answer any questions you may have.

Their therapy services

They Can Help with The Following:

• Conflict Management
• Anger Management
• Stress Management
• Intimacy Issues
• Addiction
• Mood Disorders
• Sexual & Physical Abuse and more services

About the Therapist

Charles Liggio is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been in the field for over 30 years. In 2003 he established First Colonial Psychotherapy Services.

Over the years he has brought on many talented and empathetic clinicians as well as administrative staff who have a genuine interest in helping individuals and families.

Although semi-retired he continues to have a genuine interest in the mental health needs of the community.

Address: 1232 Perimeter Parkway, Ste 206 Virginia Beach, VA 23454

Contact: 757.428.7500

9. Hilltop Counseling

About the Therapy center

At Hilltop Counseling, they pride themselves in supporting clients in their mental health journeys in a manner that is relatable, professional, and ethical.

Their therapists value a team environment where they support one another in providing the best possible services to their clients, while honoring their clients’ intuition and insight as they strive to understand patterns of relationships and coping styles.

Services they offer

• Individual Therapy
• Relationship & Family Counseling and more

About the Therapist

Keri Willis-Higgons has been a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Virginia since 2003 and is the owner of Williamsburg Counseling and Wellness Center, LLC (doing business as Hilltop Counseling).

She is a Hampton Roads native and received her Master’s degree from the University of Virginia. She brings a wealth of experience to her practice and has worked in clinical settings as a therapist and clinical program director, as well as in higher education, public and private schools, and foster care/adoption.

Keri has a Certification in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) and specializes in treating Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, as well as maternal mental health.

She is also Levels 1-3 trained in the Gottman Method of couples therapy and enjoys supporting couples and parents as they face life adjustments and stressors.

As an approved clinical supervisor in the state of Virginia, Keri has also helped multiple residents in counseling navigate the process of getting licensed.

Address: 1604 Hilltop West Executive Center Suite 319 Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Contact: 757-371-2700

10. Family Guidance Centers

About the Therapy center

Since 1980, they have been offering their clients experienced and compassionate clinical care. Their staff of licensed specialists helps adults, adolescents and young children deal with a wide range of mental health issues.

Whatever your difficulties may be, they are committed to working with you in an atmosphere of trust, respect and understanding.

Services they offer

• Individual Therapy
• Martial/Couples Therapy
• Child/Adolescent Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Anxiety Disorders
• Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD/ADHD) and more

About the Therapist

Allison Middleton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the Commonwealth of Virginia. She earned her Bachelors of Social Work and Masters of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University.

She has extensive experience working with children and adults with co-occuring developmental and mental health needs, both in the public and private sectors.

Allison work with individuals and caregivers of individuals with a variety of developmental needs, not limited to Autism, Intellectual Disabilities, and ADHD, and mental health challenges.

She works with her clients to identify coping skills and strategies to address identified challenges and stressors.

Address: 800 Newtown Rd Suite 104, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, United States

Contact: 757-974-1469

Conclusion

Therapy is a collaborative journey in which a person is supported with empathy, provided with a space to process and helped to learn and practice tools and methods to deal with the things that come their way.

A therapist can always help with this. The list of therapists in Virginia Beach will help residents make the best decision when it comes to choosing therapists.

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Therapy helps you in so many ways. Finding a perfect therapist can be challenging, and sometimes draining.

It’s such a huge step for you to get to the point where you agree to seek help, finding one to provide that help shouldn’t be a difficult task, so we have taken it upon ourselves to provide you necessary information on a few therapists in Seattle and their contacts.

Here are a few therapists in Seattle to help you.

1. Steve Hammil Counseling

Steve Hammil is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Washington State License: LH 60241738) with a Master of Psychology from Antioch University Seattle.

He has been seeing clients since 2007. He became a therapist because he wants his work to be something that helps him and others live happier, more connected lives.

At this point in his career, he is focused on helping survivors release the burdens of the past and move from surviving to something beyond, whatever they decide is for them.

Contact: 206-661-2854

Address: 600 Stewart St, Ste 603  Seattle, WA 98101

2. Carolyn Powley, MSW, LICSW | Family Counselor | Depression Counseling Therapist | Psychotherapist in Seattle, WA

Carolyn Powley is a mental health counselor specializing in individual, couple, and family therapy. She maintains a private practice in the Seattle Ballard neighborhood.

She is currently serving as a private practitioner working with a broad spectrum of clients, with over 25 years of experience as a psychotherapist. She is a graduate of the University of Chicago.

Carolyn is an interactive, solution-focused therapist. Her therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges.

She integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client.

With compassion and understanding, she works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.

Contact: 206-380-6445

Address: 2208 NW Market Street #430-A Seattle, WA 98107

3. Self Space

Kayla Ritchie was born in Seattle and has lived there for most of her life.  She graduated from the University of Washington with a BS in Neurobiology and General Biology, minoring in Philosophy, and went on to do neuroscience research for several years.

Within her own therapeutic work, she eventually realized that what brought her alive about brains was actually the person in them.

She earned her Master of Arts in Existential and Phenomenological Psychology from Seattle University.  She developed her therapeutic approach within an existential and phenomenological framework.

This means that her work is centered on presence, embodied meaning, and relationship. Kayla works with individuals living with past and present trauma, who often experience the most profound impact of this trauma in anxiety, depression, grief, and isolation.

Address: 2033 6th Ave #826, Seattle, WA 98121, United States

Contact: 2064148918

4. JL Counseling Seattle

Jen Loser is the owner and clinical director of JL Counseling as well as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Washington State. She was born and raised in Colorado and has lived in Seattle since 2013.

During graduate school at Seattle Pacific University, she completed an 18-month internship at Seattle Pacific University’s Student Counseling Center, providing individual and couples therapy to undergraduate college students.

She also worked with a local church providing pre-marital counseling for couples. She has had a private practice in Queen Anne for the past 6 years.

Contact: (360) 329-2673

Address: 130 Nickerson St #311, Seattle, WA 98109, United States

5. Rachel Lund Counseling

Rachel Lund is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and also a licensed Clinical Supervisor, which allows her to support other therapists as they develop their own new skills.

She specializes in helping women who do not feel valued or seen, women who feel overwhelmed with anxiety, and women who feel disconnected from their bodies and at war with themselves.

Born in Seattle, she lived with her family in a variety of places around the world while growing up, eventually landing at Pepperdine University for undergraduate studies. She lived back in Seattle for over a decade now and calls Seattle her “forever home,” spending as much time as possible outside.

Contact: +1 206-414-8918

Address: 2033 6th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121, United States

6. Alliant Therapy Group, PLLC

Carolyn is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in individual, couples, and family therapy, and she maintains a private practice in Seattle and Edmonds, WA.

With many years of experience as a mental health counselor, and as a graduate of Texas A&M University, she currently serves as a private practitioner. She works with a broad spectrum of clients.

Her therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges.

She integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client.

Contact: +1 425-361-7987

Address: First West Building, 200 1st Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119, United States

7. Attached Therapy

Callie is the Washington Practice Director, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker Associate (LSWAIC), and virtual therapist.

She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Saint Martin’s University, and her master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Kentucky. She utilizes somatic therapy with clients, recognizing the ways their physical body and mental health are intertwined.

Contact: +1 206-889-5151

Address: 2800 E Madison St Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98112, United States

8. Seattle Anxiety Specialists, PLLC – Psychiatry & Psychology

Priyanka Shokeen is the Clinical Director of the Psychology and Psychotherapy Department at Seattle Anxiety Specialists, providing clinical supervision to their staff, clinical consultations to other professionals in the area, and care coordination for patients with complex or refractory symptoms.

Her clinical work is focused on providing both short-term and long-term therapy for people dealing with depression, anxiety, complex trauma as well as treatment-resistant conditions like personality disorders.

Priyanka uses psychodynamic, CBT & DBT in her therapy approach. She also provides comprehensive psychological evaluations, primarily for the purposes of diagnostic clarification, for clients that have not had success with therapy in the past and want to make sure that they are receiving the correct diagnosis and treatment plan.

Contact: +1 206-309-5990

Address: 1904 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, United States

9. Julie Holt Counseling

Julie Holt is a licensed mental health counselor. She has a two-decade-long history of helping people ready to break out of their habitual patterns and find new vibrant ways of living that truly serve them and give them what they want.

She graduated from LIOS, a school that was dedicated to experiential learning that blasted away blocks individual clinicians had in a way that prepared them for the very real task of helping people like you.

She is constantly engaging in professional development and her own personal therapy and supervision to keep her in top shape for helping you with everything you bring to me.

Contact: +1 206-979-6764

Address: 2366 Eastlake Ave E Suite 417, Seattle, WA 98102

10. Capitol Hill Counseling

John Tran is the owner of Capitol Hill Counseling. He believes that counseling is a cooperative, emotional, and empowering experience.

To that end, he fully participates in therapy alongside his clients. He thinks it is a collaborative learning experience that changes from person to person.

He is a native Satellite, born and raised in the heart of the city. He knows that this city is full of diversity and culture and love to immerse himself in it.

John remains one of the top therapists in Seattle. His path toward becoming a counselor began at the University of Washington in Seattle. There, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Contact: +1 206-617-2338

Address: 1812 East Madison Street, Suite #202 Seattle, Wa 98122

11. Dr. Dawn Lyman Meyer

Dr. Dawn Lyman Meyer has been counseling adults, couples and families for over 20 years.  She is licensed as a psychologist in Texas and Washington State.

She completed her bachelor degree at Smith College in Psychology and Art History. She then finished her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and she did her internship at the University of Washington Student Counseling Center.

Her post-doctoral work in Seattle was working with couples and families.  She has completed her level three training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and has advanced training in EFT (Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples).

She also has advanced training in EMDR and Brainspotting.  She is currently an adjunct professor at Seattle University.

Contact: +1 512-517-1414

Address: 1728 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98122, United States

Conclusion on the therapists in Seattle

Therapy is a wonderful process. Once you get over the fear of sharing, getting a therapist is the next major step to take. We trust that this list helps you find a good therapist around you to help you unburden.

Since your opinion counts on our platform, feel free to air your view in the comment section about what you think of this list of top therapists in Seattle.

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There are different therapists in Portland available to help you achieve the ideal life you deserve. As humans, we are faced with various challenges daily that might make us lose our health.

These challenges range from but are not limited to anxiety and depression. Anxiety may be holding you back from really showing up in your life the way you want to for too long.

Then a therapist is definitely going to listen and provide a guide for you.

Therapists in Portland

Here are a few therapists in Portland

1. Portland Counseling and Anxiety Specialists

Nicole Apted holds a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from George Fox University and has had additional training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

She works with people holistically, looking at you as a whole person by incorporating an understanding of the mind-body connection in treatment.

Trauma and other mental health struggles often present themselves in the body and can impact not only your mental and emotional well-being but also your physical well-being.

By examining how the mind and body connect and interact in relation to your life experiences you can gain a deeper understanding of how to manage life’s stressors and develop resilience.

Through processing your trauma, you can develop a more adaptive perspective and move through life’s challenges with greater ease.

Contact: +1 971-202-9104

Address: 811 NW 20th Ave. Suite 301, Portland, OR 97209, United States

2. Portland Counseling and Therapy with Jordana Krueger-Toscher, LCSW

Jordana  Krueger-Toscher earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the State University of NY at Stony Brook in 2003, and her master’s degree in social work (MSW) from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice in 2005.

She then completed three years of intensive clinical practice and study, earning her LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) credential in 2011.

Jordana has extensive training in evidence-based practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).

Contact: +1 503-701-3611

Address: 1829 NE Alberta St Suite 7, Portland, OR 97212, United States

3. Jeff Guenther, LPC – Professional Therapist

Jeff Gunther, LPC currently works as a licensed professional counselor in Portland. He works with different types of clients on many different presenting problems.

He is very comfortable performing individual therapy and couples counseling. In his therapeutic practice, he integrates psychodynamic therapy with cognitive therapy. He has a very strong background in family and couples work.

Also, he received his master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from the University of Southern California, and his bachelor’s degree in child and family development from San Diego State University.

Prior to going into private practice, he worked in the public school system providing individual, group, and family therapy to high-risk students.

He also taught parenting classes on a regular basis. His therapeutic career started out at a crisis line here in Portland, where he mainly worked with people who were suffering from suicidal thoughts and severe anxiety. He has lived in Portland since 2005 and the bulk of his work focuses on seeing couples and individuals in his private practice.

Contact: +1 503-422-9731

Address: 811 E Burnside St #217, Portland, OR 97214, United States

4. PDX Therapy Center

Sophia Kukladyer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the founder and owner of PDX Therapy Center.

Born and raised in Oregon, she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of San Diego and her Master’s degree in Couples and Family Therapy from the University of Oregon.

Sophia has eleven years of experience providing clinical services in multiple settings, including private practice, schools, and intensive outpatient treatment facilities.

Prior to founding the PDX Therapy Center, Sophia founded and served as the Executive Director of the Family Therapy Center of Silicon Valley, where she worked with a diverse range of clients including individuals, couples, and families.

Contact: +1 503-455-4227

Address: 2574 NW Thurman St, Portland, OR 97210, United States

5. Sprout Therapy PDX – St Johns

Shannon is a Clinical Supervisor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has loved living in Portland for over a decade.

She grew up in Memphis, TN, often visiting family in Kentucky, and she spent her early adulthood in Nashville, TN. She received a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and Lifespan Development from Middle Tennessee State University.

She completed graduate training at Lewis and Clark College, attaining a Master of Arts degree in Marriage Couple and Family Therapy with a specialization in sex therapy. She is a Supervisor Candidate for the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists (OBLPCT) and is available to provide clinical supervision for LMFT and LPC interns seeking licensure.

As a clinical supervisor, she utilize a collaborative developmental supervision model centering around the supervisee’s lens and therapeutic model.  Her focus is to provide feedback and support to facilitate your growth toward autonomy as a clinician.

Contact:  +1 971-319-4827

Address: 7704 N Hereford Ave, Portland, OR 97203, United States

6. Family Roots Therapy

Kaleigh Boysen-Quinata is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and received her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Edgewood College in Madison, WI in 2012.

She has practiced in a variety of settings, including community mental health agencies, crisis response, and school-based settings. She has also taught a course in child and adolescent counseling at Lewis & Clark College in the Professional Mental Health Counseling Program.

Prior to becoming a therapist, she worked as a pre-K and elementary school teacher and a nanny and found that she loved working with young children. Upon becoming a parent herself, she gained a new appreciation for the overwhelming challenges that parenthood can bring.

Contact: +1 503-746-3373

Address: 7346 NE Sandy Blvd C, Portland, OR 97213, United States

7. Robin Friedman LCSW LLC Therapy & Counseling | Portland, OR

Robin Friedman draws from many disciplines and personal life experience. Her formal education began by receiving her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Colorado State University, and her elementary teaching credential from University of California at San Diego, teaching elementary school for 10 years.

She later went to massage school and worked as a therapeutic bodyworker/massage therapist for 6 years.

During that time, she attended graduate school and earned a Master of Social Work  (MSW) from the University of Utah.

She completed a certificate program in Person Centered Expressive Arts therapy, and completed level 1 and 2 training in EMDR Therapy through EMDRIA. She also completed the Hakomi, MAPS, and Attachment trainings through M.E.T.A (Mindfulness Based Therapy Approaches) Training Center in Portland.

Contact: +1 503-348-4085

Address: 1235 SE Division St #202b, Portland, OR 97202, United States

8. Carewell LLC

Julie Berman is a Licensed Professional Counselor working with adults. Most of her clients have a partner, spouse, or ex, a sibling or other family member who has a personality disorder. Her clients are typically grappling with issues such as too much empathy, enabling and co-dependency behaviors. Usually this is learned in childhood but not always.

They are most likely suffering from gaslighting and crazy-making manipulations from the disordered person.

She helps people understand these dynamics better, create clarity and over time, rebuild their lives. She earned a MA in Counseling Psychology from Lewis & Clark College.

Her counseling license is through the State of Oregon: Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists.

Contact: +1 917-370-2358

Address: 205 SE Spokane St #358, Portland, OR 97202, United States

9. Jamie Levin-Edwards, Psy.D.

Charles Edwards is a licensed psychologist and has been working with individuals, couples, and training other therapists for over thirty years.

He believes that the therapist’s personal presence is as important as professional skills. Throughout his career, he has balanced professional training with personal work.

He strongly believe that to provide clients with an in-depth, life-changing experience the therapist has to be present, self aware, and emotionally engaged as well as skilled.

Contact: +1 503-222-0557

Address: 1220 SW Morrison St #1100, Portland, OR 97205, United States

10. Connective Therapy Collective

Jennie FreimoEller, Psy.D. graduated in 2022 with her Master’s in Professional Mental Health Counseling from Lewis and Clark with a focus in LGBTQIA+ counseling and a certificate in Ecopsychology.

This education allowed her to combine her passions for environmentalism and healing with nature, and her desire to work within the queer community.

She has had additional training in Trauma work, Grief work and also Superhero Therapy if adding the familiarity of favorite characters to your hero’s journey sounds supportive to your process.

Her previous career was in Clinical Informatics (electronic medical record support) for a large healthcare system, giving her significant experience working with medical professionals, if you are looking for someone who understands that world.

Contact: +1 971-361-8303

Address: 4531 SE Belmont St Suite 117, Portland, OR 97215, United States

11. Embodied Psychotherapy, Inc.

Banjo Weymouth is a licensed clinical psychologist who is oriented towards helping people access their innate wisdom and natural proclivity towards healthy functioning in both body and mind.

In his private practice, Banjo still finds himself oriented towards holding a space for people to explore their inner wilderness, with all of its rawness, challenges, and gifts.  Banjo has been working as a therapist since 2001.

He completed his doctorate degree in clinical psychology with his dissertation research focusing on the integration of mindfulness and psychotherapy.

Contact: +1 503-577-2842

Address: 3050 SE Division St #210, Portland, OR 97202, United States

12. Live True Counseling

Ryan Brown holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Goddard College, with a concentration in Sexual Orientation and specialized training in working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer clients.

His education and training have prepared him to work with people struggling with a diverse range of issues.

He is particularly interested in exploring issues that relate to depression, anxiety, lack of fulfillment, life transitions, relationship issues, personal growth, LGBTQ issues, and polyamory & consensual non-monogamy.

Ryan began his clinical work in 2015 at William Temple House, counseling low income individuals and couples in Portland, Oregon and launched my private practice in 2017.

Contact: +1 503-446-2500

Address: 511 SW 10th Ave Suite 905, Portland, OR 97205, United States

Conclusion  on the Therapists in Portland

A therapist just like everyone knows how hard being a human can be. Whatever challenge you are facing, a therapist is always there to help you navigate it authentically with presence, integrity, and intention.

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If you are suffering from depression or anxiety it is essential to find the best therapists in San Diego, if you are a resident of San Diego.

Thankfully society is in a state where mental health is considered important, whether in the entertainment, sports, or education sectors. More people are advocating for people to pay attention to their mental health and visit therapists to help them recover from whatever mental health issues they suffer from.

Most people don’t take their mental health very seriously and go about their everyday lives and face different adversities, whether material, practical, or emotional, but they need a professional who will listen to their issues and give them the support they need to get beyond them and that is what the best therapists in San Diego do.

Some people have suffered trauma from their childhood either from the indecency of others or the death of a loved one. That being said the best therapists in San Diego offer excellent services to help you overcome these issues.

Although there is a small number of licensed professional counselors In San Diego, there are other therapists that offer online sessions to residents of San Diego. So continue reading to know more about the best therapists In San Diego.

Best Therapists In San Diego

If you’re looking for a list of the best therapists in San Diego, look no further. Click on a person to contact them and schedule a session.

Related: 12 Best Therapists in Philadelphia

June Liang

Dr. June Liang works with professionals, college students, and parents (including new moms) who are seeking help with anxiety, depression, perfectionism, developmental trauma, and eating and weight issues. She treats clients from all cultural/ethnic backgrounds.

Dr. Liang provides an individually-tailored treatment that combines scientifically-validated therapies (CBT, DBT, ACT, Emotionally-focused therapy), Self-compassion and Self-acceptance, and Mind-body Wellness.

Life coaching is also available for clients who are wishing to discover their true essence, break through mental and emotional barriers, and realize their full potential.

Dr. Liang received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the UCSD/SDSU Joint Doctoral Program. She completed her clinical neuropsychology internship at the San Diego VA Healthcare System and UCSD Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services and completed practicum placements at Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego.

In her post-doctoral training, she was a therapist and researcher at the UCSD Center for Healthy Eating and Activity Research (CHEAR) and UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Center. She developed, researched, and provided novel, family-based treatments for eating disorders and obesity. Her work also focused on targeting the traits related to perfectionism.

She has written scientific articles published in national peer-reviewed journals and continually keeps abreast of emerging research on the links between the brain, behavior, and emotions. She is one of the best therapists in San Diego.

Address: 9920 Pacific Heights Blvd UNIT 150, San Diego, CA 92121, United States

Phone: +1 858-255-0357

Cyndi Pulsinelli

Cyndi Pulsinelli is a licensed marriage and family therapist in San Diego, California. She primarily works with individuals and families. She specializes in treating eating disorders, grief and loss, mood disorders, and trauma. Cyndi also offers career and life coaching in her practice.

Her clients often come to her for support when they are feeling stuck or lost; some may feel like life isn’t working for them anymore. When she initially meets with a client she is assessing their core values, strengths, and their ideal way of living.

Through exploring what needs to change in a client’s life to live according to their preferred way of living, she helps clients identify effective coping tools, whether they be emotional regulation skills, interpersonal dynamics, or effective communication tools.

As a client begins to live in line with their core values, utilizing their strengths and effective coping strategies, their sense of self begins to flourish. Together, this process brings them closer to a life where they begin to thrive mentally, emotionally, and relationally.

Cyndi practices using evidence-based treatment modalities including EMDR, ERP, DBT, and CBT, while cultivating hope through a strengths-based approach. She is one of the best therapists in San Diego.

Address: 5405 Morehouse Drive, Ste 330, San Diego, California 92121, United States

Phone: +1 503-333-0875

Jazmin Perez

Another one of the best therapists in San Diego, Jazmin Perez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker located in Sherman Oaks, CA. Jazmin specializes in helping individuals who work in the entertainment industry and at times feel overwhelmed by the stress of their work.

She also has extensive experience supporting pregnant and new mothers with the major life transition of having a baby. Many of Jazmin’s clients have trauma histories that impact their current lives. Jazmin’s goal with her clients is to empower them to recognize their strengths and what they bring to the table.

Jazmin practices Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). She teaches clients how to become aware of cognitive distortions about themselves and others, which often lead to uncomfortable emotions or risky behaviors. She takes a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach which leads to sessions that are positive, introspective, and safe for those who find talking about their thoughts, memories, and feelings challenging.

Jazmin has extensive experience working in the medical and healthcare setting. Her style is nonjudgmental and culturally sensitive, and she is passionate about supporting her clients as they tell their stories. She is one of the best therapists in San Diego.

Phone: +1 310-596-5438

Danielle R. M. Lawton

Dr. Danielle R. M. Lawton is a Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate based in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Lawton works as a part of the social work private practice Uche Okolie Counseling LCSW Inc. offering individual, couples, groups, classes, and coaching services to adults.

Dr. Lawton is a versatile mental health and education professional who is passionate about elevating mental health and social-emotional wellness one client at a time.

Dr. Lawton prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion and welcomes adults who may be experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. As a veteran who served in the U.S. Army, she is particularly sensitive to the mental health needs of current and prior military service members.

Dr. Lawton utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients unpack the pivotal connections of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This evidenced-based approach helps guide individuals in developing new and effective coping and problem-solving skills that alter and disrupt the cycle of negative thought patterns, feelings, and behaviors that can moderate the impact of stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and the effects of trauma.

Dr. Lawton is a lifelong learner who is committed to cultivating and elevating mental health and social-emotional awareness through direct practice, public awareness, and advocacy. She is one of the best therapists in San Diego.

Also read: 12 Top Therapists in Utah

Erin Carnahan

Erin Carnahan is a licensed mental health counselor based in Oakland, CA who provides online therapy to individuals in San Diego with multiple marginalized identities and adults undergoing major life changes. Many of Erin’s clients come in to address painful experiences, religious trauma, and abuse in un-affirming communities and relationships.

She creates space and safety for people whose identities don’t fit neatly in one box to question and explore their identities and beliefs without judgment or condemnation. Erin is passionate about serving mixed-race and multicultural folks, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, neurodivergent people, and ex-evangelicals or Christians deconstructing their faith.

Erin’s practice is grounded in Client-Centered and Feminist Therapy and frequently incorporates cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She collaborates with clients to unpack traumatic experiences and develop personalized strategies to dismantle and heal from harmful legacies of imposed and internalized beliefs.

In the session, Erin continually works to acknowledge the layers of broader contexts to clients’ experiences (i.e. power imbalances in relationships, and systems of oppression). In validating her clients’ experiences, Erin supports and empowers them towards greater acceptance and celebration of their intersectional identities and a life that is genuinely their own.

Erin’s style is warm, collaborative, and unconditionally accepting. When clients first start therapy, she respects and trusts their past and present experiences, boundaries, and self-knowledge to co-create a therapeutic environment and priorities that work for them. This makes her one of the best therapists in San Diego.

Phone: +1 510-306-2422

Carmen Luk

Another one of the best therapists in San Diego, Carmen Luk is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker located in Walnut Creek, CA. Carmen is passionate about supporting those who support everyone else. Many of her clients reach a point of burnout after taking care of those around them, including their friends, parents, spouses, children, and even coworkers.

This leads to a feeling of anxiety, hopelessness, lack of fulfillment, or depression. It can also cause conflicts with loved ones and major feelings of dissatisfaction. Carmen helps her clients to slow down and gain the tools they need to cope with their stressors.

Carmen teaches clients how to manage their racing thoughts. She helps clients process how they’re feeling, what’s overwhelming them, and what they want to change about their lives. She provides Attachment focus Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (AF-EMDR) therapy and Brainspotting, which helps clients integrate their distress into their pasts so that they can move forward without debilitating symptoms.

She does so in a non-judgmental, validating way so that clients feel safe during their treatment sessions. Clients learn how to become aware of their thoughts, assumptions, and beliefs.

Carmen earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from San Francisco State University. She’s a compassionate, personable therapist who is easy to talk to and who is empathetic. She aims to instill hope in her clients that there is a more healthy, balanced way of living that includes joy, fulfillment, and connection.

Phone:+1 925-660-7305

Charles Walker

Charles B. Walker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker located in Long Beach, CA. Charles works with clients of all ages and is passionate about uplifting the mental health of his community by offering accessible, empathetic care.

He generally works with clients who have experienced trauma, whether that’s neglect as a child, an abusive relationship, discrimination or race-based trauma, and more. His clients hope to break out of harmful addictions and decrease the negative impact that anxiety or depression has on their lives.

Charles’ approach to therapy includes elements of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Solutions-Focused Therapy. He teaches clients how to monitor their thoughts for assumptions, judgments, or self-criticism.

Instead of engaging in negative self-talk, Charles guides clients towards healthier thought patterns based on reality, rather than cognitive distortions. He does so in a trauma-informed way, which never pushes the client to disclose details that make them feel uncomfortable.

He also creates a space that feels safe and secure so that his clients can talk openly about what’s happening internally for them. Clients set goals for their mental health and Charles helps them navigate the journey, providing compassion and understanding along the way.

Charles earned a Master’s degree in Social Work. He teaches clients coping skills that they can use when they feel distressed, whether that’s during a conflict with another person when considering engaging in an addiction behavior, or moments of overwhelming anxiety.

He believes that the client is the expert in their mental health, taking sessions in whichever direction that the client feels is best for them. He is one of the best therapists in San Diego.

Phone: +1 310-421-9655

Related: Best Therapists in San Francisco 2023

Hilario Martinez

Hilario Martinez is an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Granada Hills, CA. Hilario specializes in helping individuals whose trauma continues to haunt them, even though they’ve tried to move forward in their lives.

Their trauma manifests itself in anxiety, low self-esteem, perfectionism, and other harmful behaviors that leave the client feeling exhausted and frustrated. Hilario helps clients who constantly deprioritize their mental health because they feel scared of what they’ll uncover should they open up.

Hilario ensures that each session feels comfortable and welcoming to his clients. He builds a strong trust with each person so they feel like they can be vulnerable and talk about their feelings without judgment. Hilario practices evidence-based therapy modalities that treat trauma, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Clients learn the skills they need to control their emotions and feel less overwhelmed in their day-to-day lives. He also supports them as they challenge their self-critical thinking. Hilario empowers clients to transform their lives into the lives they envision for themselves.

Hilario earned a master’s degree in Marriage & Family Therapy with a Specialization in Trauma from Pacific Oaks College. He has over 7 years of experience supporting clients and brings a warm, empathetic style with her into every conversation. His goal is to release clients from their thoughts that provoke daily negative experiences and to alleviate mental health symptoms. He is one of the best therapists in San Diego.

Phone: +1 562-865-6444.

Tumini Sekibo

Dr. Tumini Sekibo is a licensed clinical psychologist, researcher, and energy healer with over 7 years of clinical experience in community mental health, as well as various private practice settings in Southern California.

Tumini is dedicated to studying and understanding the mechanisms of anxiety and trauma at all ages and is passionate about holistic healing and supporting self-discovery. She loves working with parents and children struggling with emotional and behavioral challenges. She also enjoys helping teenagers and adults who are navigating the coming-of-age minefield and need some support with staying the course.

She is trained in ACT therapy, which is a change-focused approach that is built around the client’s values. She also uses Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy and Narrative Therapy to address disruptive behaviors and traumatic stress respectively.

Tumini comes with a long history of success in helping people recover from traumatic events, take back control from fear and anxiety, and assist families to achieve co-parenting goals and improve child/adolescent behavior. She is one of the best therapists in San Diego.

Her specialties include parenting, trauma, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and stress among others. She is currently accepting new clients in San Diego via telehealth only.

Phone: +1 213-218-3080

Matthew Shima

Matthew Shima is a licensed marriage and family therapist based on the island of Maui, Hawai’i serving residents of California and Hawai’i. He is currently accepting new clients in San Diego via telehealth.

Many of the clients he works with are successful creatives, professionals, or in the helping field themselves. While they are competent in many parts of their lives, often there is a sense of something missing or some area in which they are struggling.

It is common for many people to have difficulty in their relationships, worry about the future, or feel stuck in their lives. His clients tend to be interested in the emotional, relational, and spiritual aspects of their lives and are committed to growth, learning, and healing.

His specialties include anxiety, depression, trauma, spirituality & religion, relationship issues, and couples counseling. He is one of the best therapists in San Diego.

Phone: +1 805-208-8130

Also read: Top Therapists in Pennsylvania 2023

Conclusion

The above-listed best therapists in San Diego are top-rated professionals that will provide the treatment you may require. Hopefully, this will guide you in finding the best mental care for you or your loved one.

Editors Picks

12 Top Therapists in Vermont

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This blog post gives a list of the leading therapists in Vermont. Therapy is an opportunity to bring conscious attention to your life: to explore and experiment, to find new meaning and direction, to resolve issues, and to develop a valuable and lasting understanding of yourself and your relationships with others.

A therapist in Vermont can practice anything from marriage and family therapy to CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and can help with depression, stress, or anxiety.

They can help you set and achieve career goals, work on current issues you may be facing, or deal with your past.

Therapists in Vermont

Here are the top therapists in Vermont;

1. Stone House Associates

Christine DiBlasio received her Doctorate in Psychology in May of 1989 from the University of Vermont.

She completed a two-year Post Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Vermont as well. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, an affiliate staff member of the UVM Medical Center, and a former clinical adjunct professor at the University of Vermont.

Dr. DiBlasio provides assessment and psychotherapy services for adults of all ages. Her style is warm, collaborative, compassionate, and engaging.

Her approach blends a variety of techniques including cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, somatic processing, and EMDR, and is individually tailored to the needs and goals of each client.

Contact: +1 802-654-7607

Address: 27 Rye Cir, South Burlington, VT 05403, United States

2. Associates At the Gables

Lillian M. Borek, LICSW graduated from the Boston University School of Social Work in 1981, and has extensive experience working in the mental health field, including out-patient and private practice settings.

She provides marital/couples counseling and individual therapy for adults. Some of her areas of interest and expertise include anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, grief, and personality disorders.

Contact: +1 802-876-1100

Address: 183 Talcott Rd STE 206, Williston, VT 05495, United States

3. Vermont Psychotherapy

Beth Robbins is a highly experienced clinician with strong clinical training.  She has been working with, excelling in, and developing notable expertise in the area of Clinical Psychology for the past 25 years.

She believes in evidence-based treatment and acquiring clear outcomes for change. She has practiced independently and on clinical teams in various settings most recently as a Clinical Director in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Vermont Medical Center for over eighteen years.

In that role, she practiced clinical psychology with a broad spectrum of symptoms, issues and concerns. This experience and knowledge is well integrated with connection, relationship, and genuine human caring and presence.

Contact: +1 802-233-0167

Address: 125 College St, Burlington, VT 05401, United States

4. Cherie Troyen, MS

Cherie Troyen is a clinical mental health counselor, couple and family therapist, and school psychologist practicing in South Burlington, Vermont.

Cherie received her bachelor’s degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and her graduate degree from Bucknell University in Lewisberg, Pennsylvania.

She studied couple and family therapy at eh Family Therapy Institute of Southern New Hampshire for three years.

In addition to traditional methods, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, Cherie is certified in clinical hypnosis and also has training and experience as an EMDR therapist.

Contact: +1 802-651-7505

Address: 321 Dorset St, South Burlington, VT 05403, United States

5. Marcia W. Hemley, PHD

Marcia W. Hemley, Ph.D, P.C. is in full-time private practice at Associates in Psychology.  She works with adults, couples, and families experiencing anxiety, depression, self-image problems, life transitions,and medical concerns.  She has a special focus on helping people address problems in their personal and work relationships.

A large component of her practice is dedicated to counseling couples who want to examine and resolve recurrent relationship conflicts and strengthen weakened or ruptured connections.

Dr. Hemley has an additional interest in working with the parents of adolescents and young adults with substance abuse problems and the spouses and family members of individuals with chronic illness and physical disability.

Contact: +1 802-863-6114

Address: 92 Adams St, Burlington, VT 05401, United States

6. Mansfield Psychotherapy Associates

Dan Brown became licensed in the State of Vermont as a mental health counselor in 1990. He received his Master’s degree in humanistic psychology from Beacon College in 1979.  His training and philosophy of counseling is geared toward acknowledging

and recognizing personal strengths and capabilities.  The purpose of counseling then is to foster and cultivate the further expression of these qualities.

In their sessions, they will be exploring these positive attributes and uncovering what obstacles are currently involved in diminishing their expression.

Problems will be explored from a constructive and creative point of view looking to enhance self-respect and loosen the grip these obstacles exert on their quality of life.

Contact: +1 802-863-9079

Address: CornerStone Building, 3 Main St, Burlington, VT 05401, United States

7. Vermont Couples Counseling

Kim Hollister is an experienced, professional counselor and psychotherapist licensed in Vermont and Texas.

She has spent much of her counseling career working in the area of relationships, personal growth, and life transitions with both couples and individuals.

One of her primary areas of interest is helping people develop a more effective communication style with regard to what they are thinking and feeling, in part, by fostering a strong sense of self-awareness for themselves as individuals and in relation to others.

She is also interested in attachment theory, which looks at how their relationship style, which develops when they are young, influences their current relationships and in many ways is at the heart of repetitive patterns of behaviors in those relationships.

Contact: +1 802-881-7396

Address: 20 W Canal St, Winooski, VT 05404, United States

8. Paul Foxman, PH.D.

Dr. Paul Foxman is the founder and director of the Vermont Center for Anxiety Care in Burlington, Vermont.

He holds a B.A. in psychology from Yale University and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Vanderbilt University. He has been in private practice for 35 years.

Dr. Foxman specializes in anxiety disorders in children and adults and frequently appears at conferences and on television and radio shows to address anxiety and stress-related issues.

Contact: +1 802-865-3450

Address: 86 Lake St, Burlington, VT 05401, United States

9. Water’s Edge Psychotherapy and Wellness Center

Aida Luce has been practicing for over 22 years, she is committed and passionate about her work. She comes from the perspective that therapy is a very private and personal relationship that is enhanced by mutual respect.

Aida cares deeply about social justice, holistic health, and the inclusion of mind, body, and spirit as central to their way of being in the world.

She will take her time to create a cooperative and transparent relationship with her clients. Aida incorporates several theoretical orientations, including cognitive-behavioral, psycho-dynamic, humanistic, and relational theory.

Contact: +1 802-861-3716

Address: 47 Maple St #303, Burlington, VT 05401, United States

10. Glenn B. Soberman

Glenn Soberman, Phd is a licensed clinical psychologist, life coach and an ordained interfaith minister with over 30 years of clinical experience.

He has also been a certified teacher, therapist and supervisor of Trauma Resolution Energy Therapy (TRET) and Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT) and currently has a private practice in Waterbury, VT.

Contact: +1 845-255-2443

Address: 86 St Paul St #207, Burlington, VT 05401, United States

11. Riverstone Counseling

Leslie Ferrer has been Spectrum’s Chief Clinical Officer since 2014. She has worked as a clinical social worker since 2000 working with children, adults and families across the lifespan in home-based services, schools, communities, outpatient services, crisis services, homeless services, medical settings, addiction treatment programs, and correctional facilities.

She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She received her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boston University and a Master’s degree in social work from Simmons College Graduate School of Social Work.

Contact: +1 802-864-7423

Address: 31 Elmwood Ave, Burlington, VT 05401, United States

12. Judy D. Young

Judy D. Young is a therapist in Barton, VT who works with children, teens, and adults, individually as well as with couples and families.

She has over twenty years of clinical experience working with a wide range of mental health, personal, and relationship issues in school and community mental health settings.

Furthermore, She did her graduate work at Antioch New England Graduate School in Keene New Hampshire, and her internship at Lamoille County Mental Health in Morrisville, Vermont.  2010.

Contact: +1 802-525-3507

Address: 86 Church St, Barton, VT 05822, United States

Conclusion on the Therapists in Vermont

The mental health field includes psychiatric medication management, online therapy, marriage counseling, couples therapy, clinical social workers, licensed counselors, and other mental health providers through online therapy sessions and in-person ones.

Seeing a licensed therapist in therapy sessions can help you navigate mental health conditions and life circumstances through mindfulness techniques and other specialized training they’ve received in clinical settings.

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