Evaluation and Treatment
Who can receive services at The Anxiety Wellness Center?
Children, adolescents, parents and adults with anxiety or OCD can all receive evaluation and treatment. I am a clinical child psychologist with specialized training in working with children and teenagers. I engage youngsters at a level that is carefully tailored to their age and developmental maturity. I work closely with the parents of children and teenagers. I also work one-on-one with adults, but they are welcome to bring a significant support person with them to sessions.
What conditions are treated at The Anxiety Wellness Center?
I treat anxiety-related problems such as generalized anxiety, social anxiety, separation anxiety, panic, specific phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. I also treat accompanying conditions such as Tourette Syndrome and hair-pulling behaviors.
What is the treatment approach?
I specialize in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which is the most effective therapy for anxiety disorders, and has been tested in numerous scientific studies. I have over twenty years of experience in CBT for anxiety and have developed the Worry Hill approach to CBT that youngsters and adults alike find very understandable and appealing, making them more ready to participate in CBT. I place great emphasis on building readiness for CBT, and therefore carefully prepare children and adults toengage optimally in treatment and likely have better results. I will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is well suited to your needs and readiness.
What services are offered?
Evaluation of anxiety/OCD in children, adolescents and adults
You may be seeking an evaluation to understand the nature of the symptoms you or your child have, whether they need treatment, the best treatment available, and what you can expect during and after treatment.
I typically use between one and three sessions to conduct a thorough assessment to answer such questions. I will meet with you in person, and if relevant, I will meet with your child as well, depending on age and maturity. I will seek as much information as is applicable to fully understand the problem and how it is affecting your life or your child’s life. I may ask you and your child to complete some forms with multiple-choice or yes/no questions that will also help me understand the issues better. I may ask your permission to get information from any previous therapists or doctors you have been to for these issues.
Once my evaluation is complete, I will discuss with you my clinical impressions and appropriate treatment options. I encourage you to ask questions and decide what course of action to choose for you and your child. If treatment by me is appropriate, we will discuss the treatment goals, a plan of action, and estimate the number of therapy sessions before we proceed. I will referyou to an appropriate provider if I am unable to provide the treatment that you or your child need.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for children, adolescents and adults
CBT works best when I have a collaborative relationship with you and/or your child. I will spend some time with your child to explain the treatment and build readiness before we begin therapy. You, your child and I will then together set goals, develop strategies and evaluate progress during each session. In order for treatment to be successful, you and your child will need to apply the treatment strategies in the time between sessions. The typical course of treatment ranges from 6-12 visits, but may be shorter or longer depending on your child’s specific needs. I work closely with parents of children as well as adolescents with anxiety, to discuss what they can do to help their children learn to overcome and manage anxiety.