Lasting results.

I specialize in the use of psychotherapy to obtain lasting weight management. Many of the clients I help are actually quite good at losing weight - they have done it over and over again. The difficulty comes when they are unable to sustain the weight loss they worked so hard to achieve.

A two fold approach.

I coach behavioral modification strategies combined with insight oriented therapy. The idea is to be actually working to shape behavior to better manage food and exercise while at the same time gaining insight into the motivations that lead us to lapse into old patterns.

A personalized plan.

I don't endorse any particular diet plan but rather, use a solution focused approach to learn what has worked and not worked in the past. Using your past diet and exercise history we will collaborate on a strategy.

Education.

Many people have a great working knowledge of food and calories but most people don't know much about changing behavior. I teach concepts and techniques that are effective in helping to lose weight permanently. For those who do need information about nutrition, portion sizes, calories, etc., want to be weighed regularly or want assistance with a personalized meal plan, I will suggest a nutritionist to collaborate with us.

Accountability.

Many clients find it helpful to have someone to whom they can be accountable. I can provide that mechanism of accountability whereby there is never any shaming and every lapse is used as a learning experience rather that as an excuse to give up. I do not weigh clients and although they are free to weigh themselves, it is often helpful to take a break from the scale altogether.

Staying motivated.

When clients get discouraged I am there to "coach motivation".

Relapse prevention.

Even after weight loss or fitness goals have been achieved we will have a plan in place to maintain your results.

Who I help.

I treat adults and teens who either know they have a problem with drugs or alcohol or are not sure if they have a problem with drugs or alcohol. I also work with adults and teens in recovery for alcoholism or drug addiction.

Clinical approach.

I can provide practical information regarding addiction diagnosis and treatment. I am comfortable with the 12 Step Recovery Model and incorporate it into my work. Where there is another mental health diagnosis (for example, depression); I treat both conditions.

Living life on life's terms.

Developmental growth can be arrested during periods of heavy drug and/or alcohol use. Sometimes people who have gotten clean or sober find it useful to learn new skills for dealing with relationships, anger issues and stress.

Relapse prevention.

I can assist people who are in recovery and are motivated to stay clean or sober. By identifying triggers, talking about stressors, and structuring time we can minimize the chances of relapse and reinforce recovery. For the person just leaving a residential treatment facility, or an intensive or partial outpatient treatment program, I can provide the support needed to maintain and continue the progress that has already been achieved.

Helping someone else.

The truth is that we can't get other people clean or sober unless they have the desire to stop. If someone you love isn't willing to give up alcohol or their drug of choice, the best thing you can do is to take care of yourself. Al-anon can help you learn how to be happy whether or not the alcoholic or addict in your life stops drinking or using (www.al-anon.org). I can assist you as you learn how to let go of trying to control the behavior of others and deal with the sadness of seeing someone you care about hurt themselves.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy, often referred to as "CBT" is a method of psychotherapy that developed from the disciplines of behavior modification and Cognitive Therapy. CBT conceptualizes that how we think (cognitions), how we feel (emotion) and how we act (behavior) all interact together. Often distortions in our thinking lead to negative emotions and maladaptive behavior. By experimenting with strategies that challenge or test those distorted beliefs, one can achieve positive changes in mood and behavior. Work often takes place outside of therapy sessions in the form of tracking thoughts and behaviors. Therapy is focused on the present; while the work involved in modifying underlying assumptions (core beliefs) may examine earlier life events.

Treatment is important.

Many people experience depression or anxiousness having to do with something extraordinary that has occurred in their lives while others may experience depression or anxiety as chronic or ongoing but not necessarily related to a particular situation. Both types (episodic or chronic) can impair one's ability to function at work, school, in one's personal life (i.e. home care or personal hygiene) or in relationships (i.e. isolating or irritability).

Clinical approach.

I use a cognitive behavioral approach to treating anxiety and depression. Thinking and acting differently requires learning and practicing new skills. I teach strategies for changing maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that can bring about a shift in overall mood.

Medication.

Depending on the severity of symptoms some people decide to supplement their psychotherapy treatment with medication (prescribed by a psychiatrist, medical doctor, or psychiatric nurse practitioner). Other people are on medication but find that medication alone is insufficient in providing the relief they desire. With or without medication, I help people feel better faster.

Skills coaching.

Skills such as handling conflict, communicating our needs, maintaining healthy boundaries and managing our emotions can be extremely helpful in improving our interactions with others. I provide education/training in interpersonal skills.

Couples counseling.

Getting input from an impartial third party is an effective way to improve the quality of a relationship. Oftentimes people are stuck in patterns of relating to others that developed early in their lives and are no longer helpful. I provide information that can assist clients in forming new patterns of relating to each other.

Family therapy.

Within the context of treating teenaged clients and young adults still living at home I will add family therapy to the individual's treatment plan. Sometimes an entire family will come to therapy to address an issue that is disabling the family system. Sometimes a family subsystem such as a sibling group or a parent and their teen or adult child will come to therapy to work on issues that are causing stress or dysfunction. These are all situations that can be benefit from the help of a neutral third party who can pin point underlying issues and provide techniques to affect positive change within the system.

Better choices.

Sometimes people find that they keep choosing romantic partners that are not a good fit for them. They find themselves in the same negative cycles of behavior and start to wonder if they attract the wrong people or chose the wrong people. I can help clients figure out those negative patterns and modify their behavior in order to improve the quality of their relationships.

Who I help.

I treat males and females. I treat adults and teens (12 and older) for all types of eating disorders.

Anorexia nervosa.

I work closely with the client's medical doctor and nutritionist as a component part of the team approach to treatment. My clinical work is tailored to the client's situation depending on their level of motivation and their symptoms. When treating a teen or young adult, I include family therapy as a component of their treatment plan.

Bulimia.

I generally use a cognitive behavioral approach to treating bulimia. Depending on the client's symptoms and their goals, I may recommend that they seek additional support from a nutritionist and doctor. Depending on the client's age, family therapy is often a component of their treatment plan.

Other disordered eating.

For clients who suffer from binge eating, compulsive overeating, chronic restricting or other disordered eating that may fall into the diagnostic category of "Eating Disorder - not otherwise specified (NOS)" I will tailor my clinical approach depending on their symptoms, their behavioral patterns and their personal goals.

Continuation of care.

For someone who has just left in-patient hospitalization, a residential treatment facility, or an intensive or partial outpatient treatment program, I can provide the support needed to maintain the progress that has already been achieved.

Local resources.

The Eating Disorder Coalition of Tennessee (EDCT) is a resource for individuals, families and communities to access support and information about the prevention and treatment of eating disorders diagnosis. For more information and to contact the EDCT, visit www.edct.net.