What to Expect During Your Appointment
During your appointment, we will discuss several important topics in a supportive and collaborative way. This time is designed to answer questions, share information, and address your individual needs. Appointments also incorporate brief therapeutic approaches, including Motivational Interviewing to help build motivation for change by exploring and resolving ambivalence; Solution-Focused Therapy, which emphasizes identifying strengths and developing practical steps toward goals; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a well-established method for changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors; and Supportive Therapy, which provides empathy, encouragement, and a safe space to process emotions.
Nutrition:
“You are what you eat” is a well known saying that holds true in mental health. Nutritious diet with focus on whole foods that includes Omega 3 fatty acid, vitamins and minerals is essential for mental health. Together we can find diet modification strategies that are not overwhelming but make steps in the right direction.
Sleep:
Quality sleep can support emotional wellbeing, cognitive function and increase stress tolerance. Poor or insufficient sleep increases negative emotional responses, making it harder to cope with stress and increasing the risk for anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Chronic sleep problems can both contribute to and worsen mental health conditions, creating a cycle where mood and sleep disturbances feed into each other. Prioritizing good sleep habits can improve emotional resilience and overall mental well-being.
Supplements and Herbs:
I am a strong proponent of incorporating supplements and herbs in order to treat common psychiatric conditions. The goal is to maintain balance of nutrients and vitamins and to reduce psychiatric medication use to the lowest possible level or even eliminate it completely after a period of stability.
Life Balance:
Exercise, meditation and mindfulness routines have proven benefits to release endorphins and serotonin, which in return improves mood and boosts energy. When life is balanced, individuals experience improved emotional resilience, better sleep, and clearer thinking, all of which contribute to reduced anxiety and depression.
Interpersonal Relationships:
Relationships play important role in our mental health and can either help or be a detriment to your mental health. We will examine your close relationships and sexual intimacy (for adults only) to find areas for improvement. Healthy romantic relationships have been proven to decrease stress, release feel-good hormones and promote psychiatric well-being.
Important Things to Remember:
I believe that mental health is a team sport, where your story matters and my compassionate touch provides the support you need to heal and thrive. I’m committed to being on your team!
- Every person’s path to mental wellness looks different and is full of ups and downs. What works for one person might not work for you and that is perfectly normal.
- Natural approaches and lifestyle modifications take time and effort to show a full effect. But with consistent approach and combination with medications you will be on the path to success.
- Certain supplements can interact with medications and might not be appropriate to use. I recommend pharmaceutical grade supplements and always check any medications interactions in order to unsure safe use.
- Daily stress and prior trauma affect both body and mind. Utilizing various therapeutic strategies can help you be better equipped at handling daily stress.
- Small changes over time will promote lasting impact. We are not going to change everything at once, but will examine various avenues for improvement and will collaboratively examine what would work for you.
During appointments I incorporate brief therapy including:
- Motivational Interviewing, which helps build motivation for change by exploring and resolving ambivalence
- Solution-Focused Therapy, which centers on identifying strengths and developing practical steps toward goals;
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a widely effective technique to change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors;
- Supportive Therapy, providing empathy, encouragement, and a safe space to process emotions.