Specialties

For some people, anxiety comes in the form of discomfort or awkwardness in social, intimate, workplace or family situations, while for others, it can stem from feeling out of control of your situation or even knowing that something needs to change but not knowing where to start.

• Assertiveness/ Self-Confidence
• Stress Management
• Social Anxiety
• Relapse prevention strategies

Adults who as children grow up in a household where their emotional needs were met with avoidance, rejection, scolding or even over-indulgence are often times left to figure out how to deal with their emotional needs on their own. The challenge, however, is that you don’t know what you don’t know, and if as a child no one ever taught you that your feelings and emotions are important and valid, you may grow up to become an adult who suppresses, avoids or ignores them in order to cope. An inability to deal with emotions in healthy ways can undoubtedly lead to problems in your relationships, physical and mental health issues.

• Childhood neglect (physical, emotional)
• Lack of self-confidence
• Struggling to connect
• Growing up with a mentally ill parent

Dealing with what is oftentimes an “invisible” condition can be an overwhelming experience on so many different levels. Understanding how to manage the various challenges that you encounter and educating yourself are the best ways to begin to feel more in control of your situation. Our hope is that you will understand some of the ways in which serious health conditions can lead to emotional difficulties, learn how to cope with some of those stressors, and understand how psychotherapy can help you overcome your challenges.

• Dealing with a new diagnosis
• Difficulty accepting chronic disease or condition
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)-related anxiety, depression and disease management issues (Crohn’s Disease / Ulcerative Colitis)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)-related anxiety
• Self-image issues
• Stress management strategies

Some relationships are seemingly effortless, while others require a dedicated commitment to reach a level of understanding, acceptance and compromise in order to make them work. However, when relationship dynamics are built on principles that are mainly favorable for one side and not so much for the other, the relationship can become a source of stress and anxiety that is sustained by feelings of guilt or obligation. The problems that arise from unhealthy relationships are not just uncomfortable, they can deeply impact people on a physical and emotional level.

• Dating difficulties
• Building healthy, non-conflictual boundaries
• Co-dependence issues in the parent-adult child relationship
• Improve workplace relationships

Dealing with IBS can be incredibly stressful and frustrating. Fortunately, many people who suffer from IBS can greatly improve their symptoms by managing sources of stress and making changes to their diet and lifestyle.

While working with your doctors, keeping a healthy diet, staying active, and having a support group are essential, sometimes you need an additional team member to help manage the psychological side of IBS. If you feel like you are having trouble managing the stress or emotions surrounding your life with IBS, it may be helpful to reach out to a licensed mental health professional.

• Anxiety doesn’t cause IBS, but it does often exacerbate symptoms
• Your mind can become hypersensitive to the spasms of the colon
• Self-image issues
• Stress management strategies

The changes in life style, physical activity, nutrition or overall changes in the management of your health can also bring about feelings of depression. IBD is often referred to as an “invisible illness” because the symptoms are often “internal” and therefore, not always as obvious to our friends and family.  Trying to navigate the different areas that need to be addressed while also managing your own expectations for yourself, as well as what you feel might be expectations of others from you can sometimes be accompanied by feelings of sadness or hopelessness.

• Sleep trouble and fatigue
• Pain and medication side effects
• Nutrition changes
• Stress and worry