Psychological Therapy and Counseling Services In Michigan

Mental health problems encompass a wide range of disorders and the array only seems to be expanding. But what they all have at its core is a common denominator, which is the combination of characteristics displayed by these psychological health conditions. These characteristics result from a person’s social interactions, feelings, and thought processes being directly affected by the challenges they face. Overall the person’s personality development sustains seemingly irreversible blows.

The symptoms of various disorders occur in a variety of forms, and can greatly overlap, which raises the difficulty of accurately diagnosing disorders as they are mostly determined through keen observations and non-physical assessments. However, early interventions can significantly counter this problem since symptoms are rather fewer and develop slowly during the early stages. This is why immediate therapy is imperative as it can prevent the conflicting mind patterns from expanding, strengthening and becoming permanent.

The Importance of Therapy

The primary purpose of therapy is to treat personal issues as it takes into account various aspects of your life including physical, mental, and social challenges. It evaluates social vulnerabilities in light of cultural and spiritual factors so that it’s dissection pinpoints the exact source of distress/challenge. Therapists set their focus on social roles and relationships as these two aspects are of primary importance and serve as the foundation upon which thoughts, perceptions and feelings are structured. Developmental disabilities in people can be significant precursors to depression and unhealthy mood swings. Seeking therapy during the early stages of diagnosis increases the likelihood of affected people being able to lead their lives successfully. At a minimum, people suffering from social disorders learn how to cope with life and overcome illnesses and traumas affecting them.

There is much stress on early intervention with regards to almost every social and psychological disorder but this doesn’t mean that older people cannot achieve success through therapy. Therapy is a promising treatment for a person of any age, but its intensity and reinforcement may be proportionate with the age of the affected person. However, the benefit lies with acting quick by recognizing that you or your loved one has certain issues that can benefit from therapeutic assistance.

The correlation between brain plasticity and behavioral development is indicative of the fact that therapy can reverse or slow down the trajectory of flawed development much easily during the early stages. Brain plasticity is your brain’s capability of modifying its connections by re-wiring it. The plasticity enables the brain to develop from infancy through adulthood and beyond. It even helps the brain recover from injuries it may have sustained. The brain’s uniqueness entails neural pathways that can to some extent replicate the functions of the different areas of the brain (in the event of partial brain damage or injury) so that developmental errors or temporary losses can be fixed by sending signals along a different pathway.

Being able to start a therapeutic procession allows children to be at ease from an earlier phase than later. The children you’re raising today will be adults tomorrow and those whom you will have to trust with living their lives independently as much as possible. It is there right to inherit skills from therapies that will help them navigate the safe and danger zones of this world.

According to research, mental health can be treated effectively and cognitive therapy is the most effective method to achieve results. This is corroborated by an extensive study (published as Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics) based on experiments, demonstrating the superiority of therapy over other alternatives. With evolving times and a greater focus on research, people are becoming more reliant on cognitive therapies than medications and drugs to treat their disorders. Therapy in any part of the world must not be seen as an option but as a necessity for affected individuals. As you transcend the time barrier from the previous era to the current one, you’ll observe that due to scientists having dismantled the stigma regarding mental health, many individuals now acknowledge modern therapy and seek access to it. Insurance companies are also required to provide coverage for various mental health conditions and this is largely due to the benefits therapy has displayed. Millions of Americans have benefitted from various therapies by overcoming their pain and developing coping strategies to sustain their future. They are able to define their goals and lead their pursuits with clarity and confidence in their abilities.

Psychotherapies triumph other forms of treatments, especially, medications. They reduce the chances of relapses. Its effectiveness is gaining momentum among people so much so that in the near future, a much more evidence-based treatment is likely to be in place with refined guidelines issued accordingly.

How To Choose a Good Michigan Therapist

A mental health professional can be trusted with your future but not before you assess his competence and genuineness towards helping you formulate a new and fresh perspective on life. Our Oakland County, MI Therapists eliminate barriers that impede communication skills by enabling their patients to express themselves better. For example, those who suffer from autism disorder, therapy can teach them to convey and recognize emotions so that they can gain a better understanding of everything and everyone around them. Therapy promotes relationships, trust and a positive outlook on life. Thus, it is crucial for a therapist to embody the following characteristics:

What Makes A Good Therapist

Having strong interpersonal skills
Being able to form an alliance with his patient
Possessing sound treatment plans based on individual evaluation
Being open to flexibility
Possessing a persuasive and convincing character
Possessing influential tendencies
Being able to keenly concentrate and monitor his patient’s progress
Displaying optimism and positive vibes at all times
Displaying patience and being highly reflective
Attributing great importance to research
Believing in reliable research evidence
Seeking a continuous development of professionalism in himself

Learn more about our talented staff therapists.

Why People Seek Therapy

You may seek counseling because you’ve encountered certain blockades that inhibit your potential or because you have been required by law (pertinent to a legal case proceeding). Whatever the impetus, courage is a needed to accept this reality as a part of your life and this can be made easier if you work with a therapist who is devoted to helping you overcome the dark forces. Together, you and your therapist will determine the goals of therapy depending on the conditions evaluated regarding you.

Common Therapy Issues Residents of Michigan Experience

There are many conditions that require therapy; some of them may require long-term therapy sessions, while others, short-term therapy sessions. Both patient and therapist are actively involved in these sessions. Discussed below are the most common forms of therapy issues:

ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that primarily affects a person’s attention span. The condition also causes deviation in a person’s behavior as it disrupts the balance between brain chemistry and social conformity. When the brain over signals impulses, the affected person’s social behavior becomes volatile and unstable. In addition, having poor control of impulses further complicates the situation as the person experiences extreme restless.

ADHD, although popularly thought to be a childhood disorder, can be a lifelong condition or affect people at any age. However, the symptoms tend to begin during childhood and continue through adolescence and adulthood. Hyperactivity is the main element that characterizes the ADHD disorder, but it tends to improve with age in many affected individuals. But issues like inattention and disorganization remain and are likely to continue into adulthood.

What causes ADHD?

According to researchers, ADHD may be caused by genetic interaction, supplemented by environmental factors. The resulting scenario may be very much due to a number of factors at play, which is the case with many illnesses. However, these are considered the common contributing factors:

– Genes
– Using cigarettes, alcohol, drugs (especially during pregnancy)
– Exposure to environmental toxins (lead)
– Unhealthy birth weight
– Brain injuries

ADHD can be accurately diagnosed through a series of psychological testing. Learn more about ADHD Testing.

Addiction/Drug Abuse

Drugs and alcohol, unlike other addictive elements, are inherently compulsive and disrupt the chemical balance in the brain. Addition to drugs and alcohol is not just an outwardly appearing problem, but a problem that characterizes the changing of the brain and causing the brain’s adaptation to intoxicants by reducing its ability to derive pleasure out of other activities.

Addiction is a complex disease that many mistake for lack of courage, willpower or moral principles. Their idea is that addiction can be put an end to just by quitting. The reality for affected people is that physical efforts to refrain from consuming drugs and alcohol are not supported by their brains that control everything. Drugs change the way the brain performs; it ignores harmful consequences and fulfills urges. These brain changes become persistent due to the continued use of substances.

Addiction reduces self-control and interferes with the ability to resist. Addiction is considered a “relapsing” disease, and for this reason, many addiction fighters are predisposed to depression. Even after years of being sober, there’s a chance of relapse. This doesn’t mean the progress made by these individuals goes a waste but unfortunately, many lose motivation to continue the battle as they see their relapse as regression. Naturally, depression and anxiety arise once a person feels like he’s hit a rock bottom. Depression after relapse is a reality that a person must face with courage and positivity.

Experiencing overwhelmed with feelings of sadness, disappointment, shame, and even guilt are likely to emerge and trigger a strong sense of failure which can lead to a full-scale return to addiction. Seeking help and individual-counseling during this critical stage can make all the difference there is between continuing the battle against addiction and falling right into its trap.

Anxiety

Anxiety happens naturally but some people experience it on greater levels and more frequently. When anxiety is persistent and present to an uncontrollable extent it makes everyday situations dreadful. The fear of uncertainty and constant worrying can be disabling. At this point, it sufficient to call it an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are medical conditions which are as real and damaging as other physical disorders. Anxiety is the most common condition that pervades every corner of the world. Anxiety is a characteristic of many different orders as well:

– Panic disorder
– Phobias
– Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
– Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)

Anxiety being a long-term disorder causes feelings of nervousness against a wide range of situations and problems. The symptoms can expand and develop into greater complications. People with anxiety struggle constantly, so much so that as soon as a thought or an issue is resolved, another one arises.

AD is likely to cause both psychological and physical symptoms to varying degrees and in varying ways:

– Restlessness or remaining worried
– Poor concentration skills
– Poor sleeping patterns
– Dizziness
– Heart palpitations
– Fear

Usually, feelings of anxiety in individuals who aren’t affected chronically/excessively, are normal. But when it starts causing you distress it is best to seek -therapy. Your therapist will inquire about your symptoms, specifically your worries, fears and deconstruct the delusions and trauma behind them.

Nearly, 40 million suffer from AD but its exact cause isn’t accurately understood. Most commonly it is described as a combination of several factors at play. Also, research suggests that over-activity in areas of the brain pertinent to stimulating emotions and behavior trigger brain chemicals like serotonin and noradrenaline, which are responsible for controlling and regulating moods. This causes in an imbalance to the brain’s chemistry. Genetic causes are also involved, especially if you have inherited those genes from your parents. Having a history of traumatic endurances also plays a major role. However, it is equally likely that many people develop AD for no reason at all. Take our free Anxiety Screener to learn more.

Autism

Autism at its basic level is a developmental disability disorder. Overall, it is a complex spectrum that includes a wide range of characteristics. Each patient may display varying symptoms in addition to the common traits of all autistic disorders. Autism is a lifelong condition that primarily affects how a person expresses himself and communicates with other people. His way of experiencing the world and relating to others is reflective of a unique pattern that he comes to recognize and operate on.

Autistic people perceive the world differently to those around them and so their disorder must not be understood as an illness that needs a cure but a condition that needs to be recognized and facilitated for the benefit of the affected one and his loved ones. Not all autistic people suffer in the same way; some of them will have learning disabilities, and mental health issues while others on the spectrum will have a sharp sense of development in certain areas. With the right support and guidance, autistic individuals can be taught how to live fulfilling lives.

The complications associated with autism include delayed learning of language, appearing withdrawn from the surrounding environment, showing difficulty in making eye contact, showing poor responses to conversations, displaying poor reasoning, planning and motor skills, showing intense interest in a certain area while taking narrow or poor interest in common hobbies of children his age, and exhibiting reduced sensory sensitivities. However, not all of these traits might hold true for every autistic child. The diversity among autistic individuals is so great that each child requires a separate analysis without extrapolation. The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is carried out individually and the evaluation can focus on completely different areas in a child depending on the observation of his behavior.

Early identification can change lives as autism is treatable but not “curable”. Individuals with autism do not overcome autism as a condition and grow out of it but they learn to grow around it without letting the condition inhibit them. Early intervention is key for this very reason. Developmental milestones are can be achieved as young affectees of autism can be assisted with regards to communication skills, and other vital skills needed to cope in this world successfully, and live independently. A child is most likely to display certain symptoms during the early phase of his autism and it is crucial that parents use their observation to alert themselves to getting a comprehensive evaluation of their children rather than dismissing these signs as minor social problems that tend to go away on their own. Below are signs that are specifically indicative of an underlying condition:

– No understanding of the spoken language
– Repetitive use of limited actions/words with no sign of progression
– Stagnant motor mannerisms (e.g., hand-flapping/twirling objects)
– Minimum or no eye contact at all
– No development in peer relationships
– No spontaneity
– No comprehension of make-believe plays/acts
– Unusual fixation on parts of objects

Children displaying any of these signs are likely to benefit from separate treatments. The sooner they are given access to a medium that reduces their frustration and confusion, the better is for the child. He/she is also likely to build patience for many things that can otherwise be overwhelming for him in the big, messy world outside. Fortunately, over the years, greater access to appropriate services has been made available leading to a significant improvement and outcome.

Autism still this day continues to under great research. With time more and more professionals are dedicating themselves to discovering new information about this disorder. Although there has already been extensive research carried into learning more about autism which has shown a great improvement in understanding it, there is still no known single cause of autism. Increased awareness and early intervention are the best ways to combat the negative challenges of autism.

Take our free Autism Screener to find out if you require a more official diagnosis.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder can be understood as a person’s inability to control extreme changes in his moods. The changes can occur within a span of minimal time lapse. The disorder is a mental health condition that is responsible for drastic and sudden mood fluctuations. Its high shift includes emotional manic excitement while the low shift entails depression. When a person becomes depressed he’s likely to feel hopeless, sad and even lose interest in the things he usually takes interest in. He fails to derive pleasure from activities that are normally upbeat and grant enjoyment. On the flip side, hypomania allows bipolar individuals to experience high levels of energy, feeling euphoric and high in spirits. These mood swings impact a person’s everyday activities such as sleep, work performance, behavior in relationships and his ability to think clearly. Episodes of mood swings can occur randomly; they may be rare or frequent. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, but it can be managed and controlled with effective treatments such as psychotherapy and medication.

Symptoms of a bipolar disorder can cause significant distress and even misery in the affected person’s life. The disorder also encompasses several subtypes and can be associated with other disorders that are similar. For example, bipolar disorder II and bipolar disorder I require separate diagnosis and the former is not just the milder version of the latter.

Bipolar disorders can manifest at any age but it’s typically seen in teenage years or early 20s with varying symptoms among people.
Mania and hypomania

Bipolar disorder is characterized by a subset of conditions known as mania and hypomania. They both cause distinct episodes, meaning that the nature of occurrence vary from one another but yet have the same symptoms. Mania is more severe than hypomania and displays problems that are prominent at work, school and various other areas of life, while mania may cause a complete breakaway from reality to the extent in which hospitalization may be required. Both manic and hypomanic episodes have the following common symptoms:

– Abnormal upbeatness
– Increased levels of activity and energy (whether agitation or elation)
– Exaggerated understanding of ones self-confidence (euphoria)
– A reduced need for sleep
– Racing thoughts
– Impulsive behavior resulting in poor decision-making

The most prominent signs of bipolar disorder include severe mood swings that are unusual or completely unlike other normal mood swings. The emotional instability caused by a bipolar disorder disrupts the lives of people and seeking treatment is utmost important. Controlling one’s bipolar symptoms helps a person cope with life in a stronger and fulfilling manner.

Depression

Depression is recognized as a mood disorder that projects feelings of sadness, despair, loss, and anger. The disorder interferes with a person’s everyday activities and gradually pervades every aspect of his life. What many fail to grasp about this insidious condition is that it is a real illness and possibly just as destructive as other life-threatening diseases. Depression is a constant battle against a person’s own inclination towards stagnation, in fact, it is such a growth-oriented disorder that affectees can experience pessimism, distress, and hopelessness to varying degrees within a very short time of developing it.

Depression may occur multiple times or just once in a person’s life but typically, the episode will display the following symptoms:

– Sadness, emptiness, tearfulness, and hopelessness
– Irritability or frustration
– Reduced levels of patience/or just bottling up issues inside
– Loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities
– Insomnia, sleep disturbances, oversleeping or poor sleep patterns
– Fatigue, feeling drained of energy to the point even small tasks take extra effort or appear burdensome
– Reduced/increased appetite
– Weight loss/gain
– Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
– Remaining fixated on past failures or issues, feeling guilty
– Trouble thinking, concentrating or overthinking
– Making poor decisions
– Forgetful memory
– Recurrent thoughts of death
– Physical problems, such as back pain or headaches
– Genuine unhappiness without knowing why

When around depressed people it is best to know a few don’ts and dos. As for don’ts, do not give unsolicited advice because only a professional expert knows what to say to a depressed person and how exactly to say it. Most of the times, unsolicited advice only causes further damage. For example, telling a person to look on the bright side is perhaps a very destructive thing to say, because there is no bright side for the depressed person as his state of mind isn’t able to process and experience it. It is like asking a blind person to look at the light. The concept of looking on the bright side also implies he is ungrateful and willingly languishing on the negatives of his life when this isn’t the case. You shouldn’t also ask the person to be patient as that insinuates he is impatient and displays a complete dismissal of his suffering. What you should do is encourage the person to seek treatment and convince him that he can emerge powerful by learning how to counter his depression.

We have a free depression screener on our website that can be used as a helpful tool in seeking professional help.

As likely it is for depressed individuals to withdraw from people and isolate themselves, it doesn’t make them weak but just incapable. The characteristics of depression aren’t signs of weakness because depression isn’t something you can just snap out of; it requires a long-term treatment. Most people with depression have the potential to feel better by receiving appropriate psychotherapy and/or other treatments.

Divorce

Divorces and breaks up are two of the least discussed issues in society with emphasis on a person’s mental bearing. When you think of trauma what comes to your mind is serious accidents, disasters or loss of loved ones. But what doesn’t cross your mind is that other events such as divorces can be equally life-altering but in a different realm. Divorce isn’t just a contract of separation or annulment of an agreement that you and your spouse once entered into, it is a world that you had constructed with love and promises. The world that was a significant part of your life and for some, their entire universe itself.

Accepting this life event requires the mind and the heart to be prepared by understanding that you might be giving up for your lifestyle, family, home and even love and dreams. It is an ultimate shock that you must train yourself to cope with without persisting in any sort of denial. Coping mechanisms are strategies designed to alleviate emotional pain,and the uncertainty that leads to anxiety and the urge to isolate yourself. These negative feelings if left unaddressed can shadow every moment of your life.

Some individuals may even require an identity makeover just so they don’t feel associated with their former selves that reminds them of their perceived failures. Therapy helps you progress your evolvement by moving forward, making new choices and creating a post-divorce life that allows you a second chance. You may feel physically damaged, and emotionally deranged from your past occurrences but being able to trust again, and release your fears and insecurities to a trusted source makes a huge difference and may be the main element in reshaping your mind and life.

Eating Disorders

An eating disorder is characterized by abnormal eating habits; it is primarily known as anorexia nervosa. Anorexia Nervosa is a psychological condition that has a high potential of triggering life-threatening consequences. Those affected by this disorder tend to have low body weight yet see themselves as overweight. People with anorexia nervosa grow obsessed with weighing themselves and restricting their amount of consumption to severely low levels. Anorexia nervosa holds the highest mortality rate of any mental disorder as many die from self-inflicted starvation while others die of suicide. The suicide statistics are much higher among women than in men.

When it comes to eating disorders, there’s a common misconception that it results from unhealthy lifestyle choices. People do not realize that eating disorders are actually serious issues that may develop as a result of dangerous delusions. One of the main indicators of an eating disorder is a person’s unhealthy obsession with body weight and shape.

Adequate nutrition with minimized exercise is the foundation of treatment for people with ET. Health professionals tailor treatment plans to individual needs and supplement it family/group psychotherapy, medical care, nutritional advisory, and prescribed vitamins.

Grief

Grief is a natural response to a person’s losses that cannot be recovered or reversed. It is in fact, a coping mechanism itself as it allows people to release pain but when grief becomes an excessive, overshadowing emotion it becomes the culprit itself. Grief is no doubt a strong emotion and can stem from a number of reasons, i.e., the loss of a loved one, terminal diagnosis, breach of trust, etc.

Grief ridden people might find themselves isolated, numb and under the weight of emotional stress that gradually disables them. The thought of unable to carry on with everyday tasks and commitment inhibits them and diminishes their hope for recovery.

Experts advise people to understand their grief and talk to others to resolve issues that cause significant emotional pain, such as harboring guilt for a loved one’s death. Although mourning can last for months or years, the person must learn how to adapt to the traumatic change without being overcome with an inability to break away from it. The person must understand grieving is normal as long as he is able to use the medium to discharge pain instead of getting absorbed into it. It is recommended for people uncertain about whether their grieving process is over the top or just normal to consult health care professionals. Outside help is sometimes beneficial to people who are trying to recover from the death of someone close or adjust to diagnosis of a terminal illness.

Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities result from complications in the brain area. The issue lies with the neurological processing of problems. Learning disabilities mainly interfere with the development of learning skills such as reading and writing. Depending on the severity level of the disability, a person may also experience inhibition in learning how to organize, plan, and reason. He/she may also suffer from long or short-term memory loss and attention deficiency. Learning disabilities do not just affect a person’s academic growth and progress but can also extend far beyond and impact relationships with peers, family and work administration.

Since difficulties with reading, writing and other areas of academic reinforcement are highly noticeable by teachers and may also be recognizable by attentive parents, a timely diagnosis is usually made to the affected children. However, some individuals have the poor luck of not receiving an evaluation until they are adults or in higher grades (some may never receive it at all). This, unfortunately, results in them suffering for a prolonged period not knowing why they have difficulties with things their peers easily get through with.

The main concern regarding learning disabilities is that they are often confused or mistaken for learning problems which are a result of poor visual, hearing or other motor handicaps. Learning disabilities are not caused by an intellectual disability, emotional imbalance or disturbance, or economic disadvantages. Believing so inhibits an accurate diagnosis and does little to resolve the neurological issue existing in the brain of the affected person.

Although a learning disability cannot be cured, with appropriate support and timely intervention through accurate psychological testing designed to identify learning disabilities, success in school, relationships, and at work can be achieved to a great extent.

Contrary to popular belief that people with learning disabilities are deprived of intelligence, many affected individuals are actually above average intelligence. But there exists a gap between their potential and the ability to achieve due to being hurdled with hidden disabilities.

However, their inability to demonstrate the skills required of them can be countered and improved so that they may as well seek independent lives and accomplish multiple milestones.

Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) as the name suggests has a cyclic nature in which affected people get caught in without being able to exist. OCD is a very common disorder that can affect anyone regardless of age, background and other specifics. It is a cycle of obsessions and compulsions in which obsessions trigger distressful feelings while compulsions are the person’s attempts to eliminate these obsessions. Most people tend to undergo obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors at some point in their lives, but this doesn’t mean it is a stage that every person is supposed to pass through. OCD has a tendency of growing and becoming so extreme that it keeps a person preoccupied with unhealthy thoughts. It gets in the way of his social and personal life and consumes a lot of energy.

Obsessions are characterized by recurrent thoughts, images or impulses that seem to be outside of the person’s control to ward off. Individuals with OCD actually do not want to have those thoughts and fear their recurrence continuously so much so that they keep the procession of such thoughts in constant motion.

In most cases, people with OCD do realize that these thoughts are far from reality and highly irrational, but the amount of time they invest in convincing themselves of this defeats the purpose and just reinforces those thoughts, making them powerful and more dominating each time. In return, these obsessions are accompanied with increasing fear, disgust, and doubtfulness that make them appear larger than life. This leads to the person believing his fears have a greater probability of occurring than not.

Normal people without OCD are also likely to have a temporary indulgence in irrational fears and thoughts as well but they can pull themselves out and move on. But with OCD affectees, the idea of moving on seems impossible as the constant bombardment of intrusive thoughts trigger extreme anxiety and prevents the functioning the of mind in logical ways.

Psychotherapy and counseling* is a solution for people with OCD as it is effective and involves exposing them to their fears to enable them to cope and prevent themselves from overestimating the potential of negative occurrences.

Peer Relationships

Children’s relations with others in their surroundings play a major role in ensuring an overall healthy development. Peer relationships are often thought as naturally developing skills in children and as much as this may be true it is not true in its entirety. Psychosocial adjustment is a foundation that requires development in many areas. Fostering positive experiences in a child’s life promotes social and emotional competencies, a lively spirit and confidence. Confidence is key and it exists in a variety of forms, especially as a quality in oneself and the ability to take confidence in others. When a child is not drawn to the distrust of others, he is able to explore himself and the environment around him without feeling the need to withdraw and isolate himself.

Preschool programs employ techniques to teach children valuable skills so that they can build relationships with their peers. This is done typically by showing them how to play and communicate well with others. They learn how to display emotions, control feelings of aggression and solve problems. Teachers may teach social skills through stories and pictures and other avenues. They also teach values like sharing, taking turns and apologizing. It is very important to reinforce positive interactions among children. As children learn these basic skills they will learn to better empathize, make friends and feel accepted by their peers.

Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum

Pregnancy is a natural phenomenon that consists of two crucial phases: the prenatal phase and the postpartum phase. Expectant mothers should be careful in carrying themselves during both of these delicate and sensitive periods. To ensure a healthy pregnancy, the involvement of treatments, training and routine checkups are necessary.

Prenatal Care

Pregnancy comes with many risks and the sole purpose of prenatal care is to reduce these risks during the course of this process. Prenatal care raises the chance of a safe and healthy delivery as developing issues can be detected on time and taken care of. Regular prenatal visits also allow the doctors to monitor the progress of his patient’s pregnancy. Identifying potential problems or complications before they become serious can save lives, emotional distress and also physical pain.

According to data, babies born to mothers who have neglected prenatal care whether by self-infliction or due to economic circumstances, are exposed to an increased risk of health complications. They’re also likely to be born with unhealthy weight, falling below the standard weight for babies. Newborns with birth weight deficiency have a five-time greater likelihood of dying than those who have abided by the following care tips:

– Quit smoking and drinking alcohol
– Take up folic acid supplements daily
– Stay in touch with one’s doctor about her medical conditions
– Eliminate exposure to toxic substances and chemicals

Postpartum care

Caring in the aftermath of pregnancy is just as important, as the body has gone through so much that it requires an extensive recovery period beginning as soon as the mother gives birth. This period of rest also allows the mother to reconcile with the changes she experiences in her body. These changes range from physical changes to emotional changes, as well as hormonal changes. Postpartum care typically involves getting rest and replenishing the body with nutrients.

The nutritional supply is necessary for being able to breast-feed the baby. During post pregnancy the following eating routine and care must also be employed:

– Eating low-fat foods in order to balance between protein, carbohydrates, and fruits and vegetables
– Drinking fluids, especially water
– Consuming dried fruits

Many times when expectant mothers during pre and post delivery do not follow up on any these guidelines, they feel a sense of failure and are not able to reconcile with the changes without feeling depressed. When their physical health suffers, it naturally leads to a distressed state of mind. A healthy mind, after all, is directly tied to a healthy body.

Relationship Issues – Couples Therapy

Everyone’s relationships go through what is called “ups and downs”, and are different from that of one another. But problems are likely to arise in any relationship as the very nature of relationships is hinged on understanding one another. Without effective communication, understanding isn’t possible and the individuals are likely to suffer as a result. Relationship problems are often associated with intimacy with the partner but there are many problems that also occur with family members, siblings, parents, children, friends and even colleagues at work. Relationships impact people significantly, especially, their mental well-being and emotional stability. When things become strained, a person’s natural response is uneasiness and sadness. However, the most common causes of relationship problems between couples are as following:

Infidelity

infidelity is definitely a breach of trust and a clear violation of one’s promises but it also indicates underlying issues such poor intimacy, or perceived aggression and hostility. Insecurities may as well play a big role in causing a person’s interest to deviate.

Jealousy

jealousy, although, a natural emotion is often a result of misunderstandings. A person might feel jealous when his partner spends more time with other people. He/she may even take a disliking to their partner’s successes and achievements.

Trust

Trust is a vital component in any relationship. It is the foundation that keeps the relationship intact. When trust is missing, the relationship crumbles as it suffers from many blows that can leave permanent scars.

Expectations

one of the most common problems is expecting without communicating. Assuming without lending the partner the benefit of a doubt. Communicating what a person wants in a relationship instead of waiting for the partner to figure it out himself is a sign of insecurity. It is best for couples to accept that there is nothing wrong with communicating their needs and desires to one another.

Partners who cannot communicate effectively without getting into a heated argument should seek a counselor’s help in arbitrating a common ground and making them understand the positives without making biased interpretations of one another’s’ discourse. Both parties should be willing to listen, discuss and accept their faults in order to reach a truce and sustain their relationship.

School Issues

More often than not parents are concerned with the academic progress of their children and sadly this comes at the expense of ignoring any other dimensions of their school life. Being aware of the signs a child might display indicating problems with his peers can prevent many traumatic events. When parents are actively involved in ensuring their children resolve whatever issues they’re facing at school, their children are more likely to open up and not be left on their own to fend for themselves. Bullying is the first thing that comes to mind when school issues are discussed. This is because the bullying culture is ingrained in schools and parents have little access to knowing what’s actually going on with their children. Children are the only avenues parent can fully gain this knowledge through. It is imperative that parents build this relationship of trust and communication with their children to keep this avenue open.

School problems can also affect academic performance, thus, why this should be considered a sign that parents must look into. School problems aren’t only limited to problems with peers but can also be problems with teachers. There are many signs to spot when a child is facing issues. These signs include:

– Lack of motivation for attending school
– Loss of interest in school work and other activities at school
– Poor relationships with peers/ teachers

Certain signs can indicate the problems being severe or minor in nature. The following signs indicate an increased pressure from the problems a child may be facing:

– Making excuses not to go to school
– Avoiding any discussion on school or school work
– Displaying uneasiness and discomfort at the idea of attending school
– Displaying low self-esteem and a lack of confidence
– Refusing to do homework
– Getting unusually lower marks

Whatever the case may be, communication is key to eliminate any potential for self-infliction and emotional suffering and disturbance.

Learn more about how academic psychological testing can help pin point issues to better help your child.

Self Esteem

Self-esteem represents a person’s measure of his self-worth; it is basically a person’s opinion of himself. Having low self-esteem basically means the person thinks too lowly of himself and this leaves him feeling defeated and depressed. It can also lead to him making bad decisions and bringing about destruction in his life. Low esteem is directly proportional to a person’s confidence level. Being overly critical of oneself creates a barrier between his behavior and potential which causes him to fail living up to his full potential. On the flip side, too much self-esteem can actually lead to a narcissistic personality disorder. Holding an over the top, superior view of oneself can also be off-putting to others around him. It ultimately becomes damaging to relationships.

Ideally, it is best to strike a healthy balance between low and high self-esteem. Having a positive view of oneself is what healthy self-esteem. However, those suffering from low self-esteem should seek treatment if they’re unable to overcome negative feelings. The constant self-criticism can reduce a person’s quality of life significantly and push him closer to depression and anxiety.

Self-harming

Self-harm is self-infliction or self-mutilation; the common type of injuries associated with it is cutting in which the person makes small cuts to his body, persistently. It is not clearly understood why children resort to this type of self-harm but according to psychologists, it allows them to manage their emotional pain.

This practice is usually carried out in secrecy, usually on the arms and legs. Children do not speak about it but may disclose it to their personal diaries or close friends. They can also exert great effort in hiding their wounds by wearing long sleeves. However, in recent years much attention has been drawn to self-harm through TV serials.

While there can be many reasons behind a person deciding to cut himself, sometimes the reason may be to get used to the idea of eternal pain or death. This means cutting can very much be a precursor to suicide and by practicing it, children may envision a reduced pain of death.

When parents suspect a problem, the first thing to do is talk to them about it. They shouldn’t worry about disclosing to the child that they know about him cutting himself. The child may or may not communicate at first but once the parents open the door, he is likely to eventually communicate his feelings and problems.

Sleep or Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that entails difficulty falling asleep. Many people suffering from insomnia complain of restlessness and fatigue. Even if they manage to fall asleep, they’re likely to wake up during the night and have trouble falling asleep again. Insomnia may and may not be a permanent disorder. It can vary in how long it lasts for and the frequency by which it’ll occur among affected individuals. Short-term insomnia is called acute insomnia, while long-term, chronic insomnia. What triggers this condition are several factors including the following:

– Significant stress from work, family, the death of a loved, divorce etc
– Fatal diagnosis or chronic illness
– Emotional or physical trauma
– Environmental factors like sensitivity to noise, and light, the temperature may also be a factor
– Medications which interfere with a person’s sleep activity
– Depression and/or anxiety

In order to treat chronic insomnia, it is necessary for the underlying reasons to be addressed and resolved. This can then be followed by behavioral therapy if need be. Behavioral therapy teaches you new skills that can change the habits that contribute to insomnia. It may also include techniques such as relaxation exercises and yoga to refresh the mind.

Stress

Stress is a mechanism that handles demands or threats perceived by the mind. When a person senses danger his stress response – “fight or flight” – kicks in as an automatic process. This is the body’s way of protecting itself by helping one stay focused and alert. It also boosts energy levels, giving the body extra strength to cope with what lays ahead. Whether psychological or physical, stress is a response that prepares the body for any kind of blow.

Stress isn’t always a culprit, especially not in small doses. But when a person is constantly under stress and has the emergency mode running, it takes a toll on his overall well being. Anyone who frequently finds himself feeling uneasy and worrisome should immediately take action to restore the normal balance in his nervous system.

Testing and Evaluation

Psychological testing and evaluations are methods that help determine the causes of issues, symptoms, and disorders. It helps professionals arrive at accurate conclusions through sound diagnosis. These methods usually consist of a series of tests that factor in individual complications and struggles.

Most of the times, symptoms of a psychological disorder are apparent, especially if a child is seen struggling with basic academic progress or when an adult maintains poor communication and relationship with his peers and family. The underlying causes, however, are not apparent and must be determined using expertise and specific/standardized criteria of evaluation.

When a child displays behavioral problems, the symptoms can be confused with the symptoms of other disorders as most social and psychological conditions have indistinguishable characteristics. For example, a learning problem may be due to either one of the following: ADHD, anxiety, depression, learning disability, or economic disadvantages. Specific types of psychological tests are help pinpoint the exact underlying cause(s.

In the event of brain injuries, psychological testing and evaluation may also be used to determine the extent of brain injury or disorder. Some businesses and organizations may even use psychological testing and evaluation to assess applicants and their abilities to judge capability and potential.

Generally, caregivers or physicians provide their patients with referrals for psychological testing and evaluation if they suspect further investigation is needed to determine a health condition. During their visits, the patients take a series of standardized tests that may be in the form of questionnaires, surveys, and MCQs. This data is then used by psychologists to prepare an evaluation.

Trauma and PTSD

Trauma is characterized by deeply distressing or disturbing experiences. It is an emotional response to an event that a person cannot bypass. People deal with trauma in their own ways as there is no right way to deal with it. Each person will respond to it in varying ways and recover from it at his own speed. Unfortunately, the process cannot be expedited but the intensity of emotional pain can be reduced with time once the mind gets used to it and raises acceptance for it. In fact, according to neurological studies, the brain actually works to heal emotional wounds. The brain has a survival mechanism mode that activates in the face of threats and emotionally damaging experiences.

Patients often dispute this fact because they feel they haven’t been able to recover from trauma even when the unpleasant event occurred years ago. This is because when patients try to ignore the problem, run away from it, the problem stays active in their minds and the brain perceives it as a recent occurrence and treats it as one. In their attempt to avoid emotional pain, patients actually end up prolonging their suffering.

According to studies, there’s a correlation between the development of PTSD and avoidance behaviors. Patients trying hard not to think about traumatic events become predisposed to PTSD. While a traumatic event is a temporary, or short-term, PTSD is long-term suffering which involves having continued flashbacks and re-experiencing of the past event. But there are ways to avoid this condition by adopting the following protective factors:

– Seek continuous support from loved ones and friends
– Avoid isolation and keep oneself surrounded by positive people
– Sharing traumatic experiences to release pain
– Avoid victim mentality and view oneself as a survivor
– Help others in their healing process

Although, human suffering is inescapable and no one can prevent these immense proportions but they can prevent prolonging their suffering by opening up and confronting their trauma.

Types of Therapies Offered In Our Oakland County, MI Psychology Practice

Different conditions require different therapies; hence there are lots of therapies but they all require working with a qualified and trained professional. Below are some popular behavioral therapies applied in various institutes today:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short-term psychotherapy that aims to reach specific goals with regards to the needs of the patient. It is a psychosocial intervention that focuses on re-coding and changing cognitive distortions that may have resulted from trauma, beliefs or brain injury. CBT aims to improve behaviors associated with their conditions by strengthening the ability to regulate emotions. The bottom line is to develop in a person personal coping strategies. CBT primarily works by altering beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors in people that contribute to negative feelings.

CBT is a very popular method of treatment employed across many institutions. The sustained and advancing popularity of CBT is attributed to its empirical investigation which has accumulated over 325 clinical trials for various clinical conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety, marital stress, anger issues, childhood disorders, and many other problems.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) but differs in certain areas as it has been adapted to intense experiences of people. Its main use applies to disorders like the borderline personality disorder. DBT seeks to change behaviors in people by first having individuals embrace and accept who they are. DBT ascribes particular importance to the relationship between patients and their therapists/counselors as that serves as the foundation of trust.

The popularity of DBT lies with its purpose of helping people with personality disorders. DBT was founded in the late 1980s and has also been used to treat mental health challenges, such as depression. Its effectiveness has made it a go-to treatment in various programs that are geared toward helping individuals with personality issues.

Group Therapy

Group therapies are designed to help people improve their mental health by engaging not only themselves but others around them as well. By sharing similar traumas, experiences, and challenges, a person gains solace from the fact they are not alone in their suffering. Whether the goal is professional growth, development of interpersonal skills or overcoming past issues, group therapy effectively helps people achieve it.
Group therapy seems to have become popular for two reasons: it is an affordable alternative and has more research continuing to demonstrate its effectiveness.

Family Therapy

Family therapy is a series of psychological sessions geared toward improving family ties and relationships. Psychologists or counselors conducting family therapy are trained to listen and assist in resolving conflicts and disputes. The patient’s caregiver will design a treatment plan that will specifically factor in his family’s situation. Family therapy sessions instill skills in clients to help them expand their trust in relationships and view things more positively. Family therapy is currently most popular in the following areas:

– School Counseling
– Addiction in Families
– Conflict and Infidelity in Marriage
– Trauma
– Community Building

Play Therapy

Play therapy, as the name suggests, is a type of execution that employs playing to build skills in children. By involving natural habits and processes children are taught to express themselves and communicate their feelings. Play therapy allows children to process complicated feelings and perhaps share them without feeling interrogated or threatened. This is a key aspect of play therapies. They can be nondirective as in allowing children to play anyhow they want or directive as in asking a child to act out a character or tell a story using puppets or props. Such therapies have existed since the 1930s and are popular to this day in various settings.

Marriage and Family Therapy

Where To Get Great Therapy and Counseling in Michigan

Bright Pine Behavioral Health located in Clarkston, Michigan is home to renowned specialists who possess expertise in a variety of services.

Various testing and treatment procedures are available in the facility which are administered by qualified and experienced professionals.

Dr. Kat Lewitzke is a private practitioner who exhibits competence by focusing on her roles and functions as a psychologist. Many health professionals in Michigan recommend her for further psychological testing diagnosis and treatment.

A great psychologist possesses interpersonal skills and effective communication skills. With Dr. Kat on board, trustworthiness and comfort are the two main qualities that patients get to enjoy. A doctor’s genuine hospitality inspires patients to confide in them and trust them with their most personal and private issues. To learn more about our practice, don’t hesitate to contact us today.