Mental Health

Anxiety disorders – whether its generalized, OCD, social anxiety, panic attacks, phobias or reaction to a stressful event, treatment works towards eradication of anxiety symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is used to identify and change anxiety-producing beliefs and thoughts. Stress management and assertiveness training are often utilized to reduce anxiety as well.

Depression – therapy focuses on changing the client’s experience of emotional exhaustion to emotional fulfillment. Thoughts and beliefs that generate depression are explored and appropriately challenged. Behavioral strategies are utilized to change the client’s frame of mind and his or her daily experience.

Bi-polar – working collaboratively with a client’s psychiatrist or other physician, therapy focuses on maintaining emotional stability. Stress management and self-awareness are often utilized.

Grief and loss – therapy provides affirmation and guidance through the experience of loss so that the loss becomes a significant, but not overwhelming, part of the person’s whole life experience.

Self-esteem, identity issues – therapy collaborates with the client in exploring his or her life experiences, identifying how and where messages about the Self were formed, and challenging the validity of certain problematic self-messages. The client’s spiritual as well as psychological experiences are explored.

Mental Health | Personal Growth | children

What is Self Esteem?

By Patrick Ward
May 8, 2013 Comments (0)

self-esteem Continue

Mental Health | Personal Growth | Stress

Adults Need Recess Too!

By Patrick Ward
October 25, 2012 Comments (0)

Adult Recess Continue

Childhood Disorders | Family | Mental Health | Parenting | Stress | Transitions / Change

Problem Behavior: Reaction to a Situation or a Disorder?

By Patrick Ward
August 21, 2012 Comments (0)

Imagine this scenario: A 9 year old boy we’ll call “David” is brought in for counseling.  His parents are concerned about his angry outbursts.  They describe him as usually a mild-mannered and well-behaved child until this last year.  The parents have been getting reports from his 3rd grade teacher that David often fidgets, blurts out answers impulsively, “seems to be in his own world” too much and such things.  They became alarmed when the teacher suggested they have David tested for ADHD. Continue

Faith issues | Mental Health | Personal Growth | Stress

Taming the “Me” Monster: Getting out of your Self.

By Patrick Ward
June 22, 2012 Comments (1)

A friend/colleague and I recently had a discussion about motivational speakers and televangelists who try to convince us that we deserve to be happy and are entitled to serenity.  While this is an attractive concept, it can actually rob us from living a full and whole life.  This sounds paradoxical, but really the more we focus on ourselves and our own happiness the more elusive it becomes.  Maybe people don’t know what they are looking for, in fact I’m sure this is often the case.  Henry David Thorough is quoted as follows about happiness: Continue

Family | Managing Media | Mental Health | Parenting | children

Summer: Give Your Kids Some Free Time!

By Patrick Ward
May 7, 2012 Comments (1)

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