Services...
Dr. Golin
utilizes a safe and caring approach combined with scientifically
valid treatment modalities that are shown to reduce depression
and stress-related physical and psychological symptoms.
The focus is on current problems,
rather than on the past. Both the therapist and the client are
more active: the therapist is more interactive
in the session, teaching the client how to use cognitive and
behavioral techniques. Homework assignments and new techniques
Speed up the change process. Some problems
can be treated in as few as
10 sessions, and some take 6 months to a year.
Here are some of the techniques that will be
utilized:
1. Meditation, progressive muscle
relaxation, and guided visual imagery are strategies that
elicit the “relaxation response” and turn off the
“fight or flight” stress response triggered by stress.
A person experiences a sense of calmness and well-being with
benefits experienced well beyond the period of the exercise.
These techniques also increase the ability to focus the mind
and reduce uncontrollable thoughts and worries.
2. Mindfulness is the practice
of accepting difficult, unwanted realities as they are, without
the harsh judgments and avoidant, resistant responses that produce
additional pain and suffering. Growing evidence suggests that
mindfulness and acceptance skills promote psychological processes
that are central to effective treatment, like enhanced awareness,
clear thinking, and efficient problem solving. Mindfulness and
reality acceptance skills are combined with standard cognitive
behavioral strategies to address uncomfortable, unwanted thoughts,
feelings and sensations associated with many clinical disorders.
3. Cognitive therapy helps us
challenge and replace thought patterns that lead to depression
and anxiety. Cognitions are thoughts, beliefs, expectations,
images, self-perceptions, self-statements. Evidence shows that
our thoughts exert powerful influence over how we feel and behave.
When our thoughts are reasonable and nurturing, healthy feelings
and actions tend to follow. However, thoughts that are unreasonable
and destructive can deepen and prolong distressing emotional
states and reinforce dysfunctional behavior. The goal is to
develop a more nurturing cognitive style, with healthy self-acceptance
and effective self-coaching.
4.
Behavior therapy interventions such as graded exposure
will be used to decrease anxiety and panic by promoting a natural,
fear-reducing brain process called "habituation."
Habituation is typically blocked by avoidance patterns common
to anxiety disorders. Through exposure the patient learns to
let go of avoidance, and instead to approach experiences associated
with fear. This is done in a gradual, step-by-step manner that
balances comfort with endurance. To increase comfort and confidence
during exposure, the therapist provides a great deal of coaching
and support, often accompanying the patient into real-world
settings where fear may be greatest. Cognitive restructuring
and relaxation are also used to facilitate the process.
Treatment
progress is consistently monitored and modifications in treatment
plan are made if necessary. This will be done
via objective improvement measures, such as questionnaires and
checklists as well as cognitive and behavioral changes.
