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The demands of balancing a successful career with personal responsibilities can feel overwhelming, particularly for professional women. From meeting work deadlines to maintaining a fulfilling personal life, many find themselves stretched thin, struggling to manage stress and maintain a sense of balance. This is where therapy can play a pivotal role in supporting professional women […]
The demands of balancing a successful career with personal responsibilities can feel overwhelming, particularly for professional women. From meeting work deadlines to maintaining a fulfilling personal life, many find themselves stretched thin, struggling to manage stress and maintain a sense of balance. This is where therapy can play a pivotal role in supporting professional women in Huntington Woods, Michigan.
Therapy offers a safe and supportive space to explore the unique pressures faced by women striving to excel in both their professional and personal lives. For many, the constant juggling act can lead to burnout, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy. A skilled therapist can help women identify the sources of stress, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and build strategies to create a more sustainable work-life balance.
Therapy offers professional women the opportunity to gain insight into their emotional and mental well-being, empowering them to set boundaries, prioritize self-care, and manage stress more effectively. By addressing these challenges head-on, therapy can foster resilience and provide the tools necessary to navigate the complex dynamics of modern life.
Whether you are trying to find time for personal relationships, setting career goals, or managing work-related stress, therapy supports women in achieving a healthier and more balanced life.
For professional women in Huntington Woods, MI, seeking therapy can be the key to thriving both in the workplace and in their personal lives, fostering greater fulfillment and well-being across all areas. Contact Marsh Psychology Group for more information.
Anxiety can be a debilitating condition, impacting how we think, feel, and interact with the world. However, recent advances in neuroscience offer hope through neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This concept is particularly promising in anxiety counseling, providing a pathway for healing for clients in Huntington Woods, […]
Anxiety can be a debilitating condition, impacting how we think, feel, and interact with the world. However, recent advances in neuroscience offer hope through neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This concept is particularly promising in anxiety counseling, providing a pathway for healing for clients in Huntington Woods, Michigan.
Neuroplasticity allows the brain to adapt and rewire itself in response to new experiences and learning. For individuals struggling with anxiety, this means that with the right therapeutic approaches, it’s possible to alter the brain’s response to stress. At Marsh Psychology Group, our anxiety counseling integrates neuroplasticity principles to help clients manage and reduce their anxiety effectively.
Therapists use evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practices to challenge and reframe negative thought patterns. These techniques encourage the brain to create new, healthier neural pathways, diminishing anxiety’s grip over time. This approach not only addresses immediate symptoms but also fosters long-term changes in how the brain responds to stress.
In Huntington Woods, MI, our skilled anxiety counselors are committed to utilizing neuroplasticity principles to support clients on their path to mental well-being. If you’re ready to explore how neuroplasticity can aid in overcoming anxiety, contact Marsh Psychology Group. Begin your journey to healing and embrace a life free from the constraints of anxiety.
Whether it’s due to work pressures, personal relationships, or other issues, anxiety can take a toll on our mental and emotional well-being. However, in Huntington Woods, Michigan, there are strategies and resources available to help individuals build a personalized toolkit for managing anxiety and practicing self-care. Understanding Anxiety Anxiety is a natural response to stress, […]
Whether it’s due to work pressures, personal relationships, or other issues, anxiety can take a toll on our mental and emotional well-being. However, in Huntington Woods, Michigan, there are strategies and resources available to help individuals build a personalized toolkit for managing anxiety and practicing self-care.
Anxiety is a natural response to stress, but when it becomes excessive or prolonged, it can interfere with daily life. It’s important to recognize the signs of anxiety, which may include persistent worry, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat or muscle tension.
Managing anxiety requires a personalized approach, as what works for one person may not work for another. In Huntington Woods, individuals can work with therapists at Marsh Psychology Group to develop a toolkit of coping strategies tailored to their unique needs. This toolkit may include techniques such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, journaling, and progressive muscle relaxation.
Self-care plays a crucial role in managing anxiety and promoting emotional well-being. In Huntington Woods, MI, individuals can prioritize self-care by engaging in activities that nourish their mind, body, and spirit. This may include getting regular exercise, spending time in nature, connecting with loved ones, practicing hobbies, and setting boundaries to protect their time and energy.
It’s important for individuals experiencing anxiety to know that they don’t have to face it alone. In Huntington Woods, MI, there are resources available, including therapy services at Marsh Psychology Group. Whether through individual therapy, support groups, or workshops, individuals can find support and guidance on their journey toward emotional well-being. To learn more, contact our team.
Anxiety can make communication and connection feel like daunting tasks. At Marsh Psychology Group in Huntington Woods, Michigan, we recognize the profound impact that anxiety can have on relationships and offer counseling services aimed at fostering healthy communication and deepening connections. How Can Anxiety Impact a Relationship? Anxiety in relationships can manifest in various ways, […]
Anxiety can make communication and connection feel like daunting tasks. At Marsh Psychology Group in Huntington Woods, Michigan, we recognize the profound impact that anxiety can have on relationships and offer counseling services aimed at fostering healthy communication and deepening connections.
Anxiety in relationships can manifest in various ways, from constant worry and fear of abandonment to difficulty expressing emotions and setting boundaries. These challenges can strain even the strongest of partnerships, leading to misunderstandings, conflicts, and feelings of isolation. However, with the right support and guidance, couples can learn to navigate anxiety together and strengthen their bond.
In counseling sessions at Marsh Psychology Group, couples are provided with a safe and supportive space to explore their anxieties, express their needs, and learn effective communication strategies. Our experienced therapists work collaboratively with couples to identify underlying issues, develop coping mechanisms, and cultivate greater understanding and empathy towards each other.
Communication lies at the heart of healthy relationships, and our counseling services emphasize the importance of open, honest dialogue. Through guided discussions and exercises, couples learn how to communicate effectively, listen attentively, and validate each other’s experiences, fostering a deeper sense of connection and intimacy.
Navigating anxiety in relationships is a journey that requires patience, empathy, and commitment from both partners. With counseling at Marsh Psychology Group, couples in Huntington Woods, MI, can embark on this journey together, learning to overcome obstacles, strengthen their bond, and build a resilient foundation for a fulfilling relationship.
If you’re ready to break free from the grip of anxiety and cultivate a deeper connection in your relationship, contact us to schedule a counseling session.
College Readiness: Part 1 Time Managment, Planning vs. Procrastination Is your College Senior ready for life on campus? Starting college is one of the most exciting and challenging time in a budding adult’s life. Making new friends, setting your own schedule, and deciding what you want to learn are some of the new […]
College Readiness: Part 1 Time Managment, Planning vs. Procrastination
Is your College Senior ready for life on campus?
Starting college is one of the most exciting and challenging time in a budding adult’s life. Making new friends, setting your own schedule, and deciding what you want to learn are some of the new experiences that lay ahead for the class of 2028. However, with this transition comes challenges. For many, this will be their first completely autonomous experience, as they meet the world on their own terms. But in order to successfully navigate this transition into autonomy, self regulating skills are needed.
In this series of articles , I will lay out skills that are needed for a successful transition to life on campus. The first important skills to address is time management and planning.
TIME MANAGEMENT
Someone wise once said “half the key to success is showing up”. In college, no truer words have been spoken. Here are some questions to ponder:
All these are examples of time management and are critical for life on campus. The most important being, can they get themselves to class , every class, on time.
PLANNING vs PROCRASTINATION
Closely related to time management is the ability to plan out a strategy to accomplish goals. Our educational system is structured so that by the time a child is in high school, the ability to plan is tested through projects, paper writing, and preparing for tests. However, their planning abilities thus far have been shaped by a supportive network of teachers and parents monitoring their success. This will not be available at the college level. This skill is the key to success at the university level and it is important to assess if your senior needs to brush up on planning strategies for college.
If you and your senior are concerned about the college transition, Marsh Psychology Group is offering short term counseling for college readiness . Designed for the months before college, sessions will focus on individually assessing each student’s strengths and weaknesses with regard to independent living. We will develop a plan to build up skills prior to fall semester and help each person identify strategies to create a successful transition to life on campus.
Pamela Warner Marsh, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Contact Marsh Psychology Group at 248-860-2024- call or text. Email pmarsh@marshpsychologygroup.com for more information.
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) What Is It and How Is It Treated? C-PTSD is caused by ongoing trauma which a person may have experienced for months or years, while PTSD may be caused by a single traumatic event. Examples of C-PTSD may include: Childhood Abuse and Neglect Domestic Violence Sexual Abuse Torture, […]
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)
What Is It and How Is It Treated?
C-PTSD is caused by ongoing trauma which a person may have experienced for months or years, while PTSD may be caused by a single traumatic event.
Examples of C-PTSD may include:
Childhood Abuse and Neglect
Domestic Violence
Sexual Abuse
Torture, Sex Trafficking or Slavery
War
You may also be more likely to develop complex PTSD if you experienced trauma at a young age, you were harmed by someone close to you who you trusted, or
you were unable to escape the trauma.
Symptoms of C-PTSD may include:
Difficulty regulating emotions.
Low Self Esteem
A Pattern of Unhealthy relationships
Self-Critical Thoughts
Avoidance of Relationships
Difficulty Trusting Others
Remaining involved in unhealthy relationships
Difficulty managing emotions, resulting in angry outbursts or intense sadness.
Engaging in high-risk behaviors
Self-harming behaviors
Feelings of hopelessness or emptiness
Extreme startle responses
Disturbed sleep patterns and nightmares
Flashbacks
Intrusive, frightening thoughts
Hypervigilance, or always feeling “on edge.”
Loss of memory for parts of the traumatic events
Persistent feelings of fear, guilt, or shame
Persistent beliefs that other people are “bad” or that the world is generally unsafe.
How is C-PTSD Treated?
Psychotherapy is the main treatment for C-PTSD.
More specifically, the treatment approaches most often used in the treatment of C-PTSD are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT, Exposure Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing or EMDR.
Trauma Focused CBT involves learning how your body responds to trauma and stress, learning how to manage symptoms and identifying and reframing thinking patterns.
Exposure Therapy is used to slowly encourage people with C-PTSD to enter situations that cause them anxiety and to learn to stay in that situation using healthy, positive coping strategies.
EMDR incorporates elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with bilateral eye movements or other forms of rhythmic, left-right stimulation.
The strong emotions you experience during a traumatic event can interfere with your ability to completely process the event.
When triggered, these memories can interfere with your daily functioning, change the way you see yourself and the world around you, and impact how you relate to others. EMDR therapy appears to work by directly affecting the brain and traumatic memories, allowing you to resolve them.
During EMDR treatment, you are asked to think and talk about memories, triggers, and painful emotions related to your trauma. At the same time, you focus on a form of bilateral stimulation (eye movements or tappers).
Over time, you’re able to work through the disturbing memories and associated feelings. The memory is still there, but it is less upsetting.
Some experts have noted that the eye movements involved in EMDR might be likewhat occurs naturally during dreaming or rapid eye movement sleep. It allows you to see experiences in a new and less distressing way.
If you feel you could benefit from further support and counseling consider finding a qualified therapist you trust who can help you manage your mental health.
Carol Van Kampen, LMSW
Carol Van Kampen, LMSW is an individual private practice psychotherapist who specializes in anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma treatment at Marsh Psychology Group. Carol is EMDR trained. Contact her at marshpsychologygroup.com
“Double depression” – What is it and how is it treated? Double depression, as the name implies, is a complex interplay between two distinct forms of depression: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia). It represents a challenging clinical scenario where the acute symptoms of MDD are superimposed on the enduring low-grade depressive […]
“Double depression” – What is it and how is it treated?
Double depression, as the name implies, is a complex interplay between two distinct forms of depression: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia). It represents a challenging clinical scenario where the acute symptoms of MDD are superimposed on the enduring low-grade depressive state of Dysthymia.
Identifying Double Depression:
One of the key challenges in addressing double depression is recognizing it. The chronic nature of Dysthymia may lead individuals to believe that their low mood is “normal” for them, making it difficult to discern the acute exacerbation of MDD. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation is essential for an accurate diagnosis.
Impact on Daily Life and Functioning:
Double depression can significantly impair an individual’s daily functioning and overall quality of life. The persistent low-grade symptoms of Dysthymia can create a baseline of dissatisfaction and hinder the individual’s ability to experience joy or motivation. When the acute symptoms of MDD emerge, they compound the distress and dysfunction.
Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment:
Diagnosing double depression requires a keen understanding of both MDD and Dysthymia, as well as the ability to differentiate them from other mood disorders. The treatment approach must be equally sophisticated, addressing the acute symptoms of MDD while also targeting the underlying dysthymic features.
Treatment for Double Depression
Effectively managing double depression necessitates a comprehensive and integrated approach:
1. Comprehensive Evaluation and Diagnosis:
Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment. A mental health professional will conduct a thorough assessment to determine the severity of both MDD and dysthymic symptoms. This evaluation enables the development of a tailored treatment plan.
2. Combining Treatments for MDD and Dysthymia:
Double depression demands a multifaceted treatment strategy. To address the acute symptoms of MDD, antidepressant medications may be prescribed. These medications aim to provide relief from intense sadness, hopelessness, and other acute symptoms.
Simultaneously, psychotherapy plays a pivotal role in managing both components of double depression. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help individuals reframe negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with MDD. It also equips them with practical tools to navigate the enduring low mood of Dysthymia.
3. Long-Term Management and Relapse Prevention:
Managing double depression is not a short-term endeavor. Even when the acute symptoms of MDD improve, ongoing therapy and medication management may be necessary to prevent relapse. Maintenance treatment can help individuals sustain their progress and lead fulfilling lives despite the challenges posed by double depression.
In conclusion, the landscape of depressive disorders is diverse, with each type requiring its unique approach to assessment and treatment. Understanding the nuances of these conditions empowers mental health professionals to offer personalized care that maximizes the chances of recovery and improved well-being. Double depression, while complex, can be effectively managed through a comprehensive strategy that addresses both acute and chronic aspects, offering individuals hope and a path toward a brighter future.
-Claudia Coxx, LMSW
Claudia Coxx is a clinical therapist at Marsh Psychology Group specializing in mood and anxiety disorders. She can be reached at 248-860-2024 or ccoxx@marshpsychologygroup.com.
At Marsh Psychology Group, we understand that anxiety can be overwhelming. We also believe that you have the strength to conquer it. Our dedicated team of experienced anxiety therapists is here to guide you on a journey towards a more peaceful and fulfilling life. What is Anxiety? Anxiety is a common and natural response to […]
At Marsh Psychology Group, we understand that anxiety can be overwhelming. We also believe that you have the strength to conquer it. Our dedicated team of experienced anxiety therapists is here to guide you on a journey towards a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
Anxiety is a common and natural response to stress, but when it becomes unmanageable and starts affecting your daily life, it’s time to seek help. Our anxiety therapists are trained to recognize the nuances of anxiety, helping you understand its underlying causes and triggers.
Marsh Psychology Group serves as your partner in conquering anxiety. We provide a safe and empathetic space for you to express your concerns and fears. Our experienced anxiety therapists will work with you to develop personalized treatment plans that cater to your unique needs.
Therapy is a powerful tool for managing and overcoming anxiety. Our anxiety therapists use evidence-based approaches to equip you with practical strategies for coping with anxious thoughts and feelings. You’ll learn to regain control over your life and build resilience against future challenges.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for anxiety. Our anxiety therapists customize each treatment plan to ensure it aligns with your goals and preferences.
Don’t let anxiety hold you back from living your best life. Our anxiety therapists at Marsh Psychology Group are ready to help you understand and conquer your anxiety. Take the first step towards a brighter future and contact us today. Your journey to a more peaceful and fulfilling life starts here.
If you have any further questions or would like to schedule an appointment with an anxiety therapist, please reach out to us. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Depression and Anxiety treatment- DBT
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral treatment developed by Marsha M. Linehan, initially aimed at treating individuals with borderline personality disorder. It has, however, proven effective for treating a range of other conditions, notably depression and anxiety.
DBT incorporates the standard cognitive-behavioral techniques for emotion regulation and reality testing while integrating new strategies like mindfulness, acceptance, and focusing on dialectics – the process of finding balance, avoiding extremes, and synthesizing opposite concepts. These components collectively make DBT an innovative and comprehensive approach towards managing depression and anxiety.
Acceptance:
In terms of depression, DBT focuses on the acceptance and change dialectic. The goal is to help patients accept their experiences and feelings while working to change their negative thought patterns and behaviors. By doing so, they can break free from the cycle of depression. DBT provides tools to manage painful emotions and decrease conflict in relationships, elements often associated with depressive disorders.
Emotional Regulation:
DBT’s emphasis on emotional regulation is particularly useful in dealing with anxiety. Techniques such as mindfulness help patients focus on the present, alleviating worries about the future. Anxiety often stems from an overactive fight-or-flight response, and DBT aids in calming this response, allowing individuals to better manage their reactions to stressors.
Treatment:
A typical DBT treatment for depression and anxiety involves individual therapy, group skills training, phone coaching, and therapist consultation. The group skills training is essential as it teaches behavioral skills in four modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Mindfulness:
Mindfulness, the core skill, teaches individuals to be fully present in the moment, thereby helping to manage depressive rumination and anxious preoccupation. Distress tolerance equips individuals with crisis survival strategies and the ability to accept and tolerate distress. Emotion regulation focuses on identifying and managing emotional reactions – an essential skill for anyone battling depression or anxiety. Interpersonal effectiveness helps patients navigate relationships and social situations, which can often be a source of stress and trigger for depressive or anxious episodes.
DBT’s effectiveness for treating depression and anxiety is backed by multiple scientific studies. In these studies, DBT has consistently shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and enhance overall quality of life.
While the journey to recovery can be challenging, DBT equips individuals with the tools and strategies to navigate their path. It’s a comprehensive, evidence-based therapy that brings hope to those struggling with depression and anxiety. This therapeutic approach helps individuals find balance, improve emotional resilience, and ultimately lead a life worth living.
Sincerely,
Claudia Coxx, MSW, LMSW
248-860-2024 Ext. 505
Office Hours: Tu 3p-6p, W-Th 11a-7p; Fri 11a-5p; Sat 10a-1p
EMDR Phases 5-8 Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, commonly known as EMDR, is a mental health therapy approach that works to reduce distressing emotions which are linked to traumatic memories. EMDR treats mental health conditions, often anxiety, depression or other symptoms, which occur because of those memories we have stored from traumaticevents. In my […]
EMDR Phases 5-8
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, commonly known as EMDR, is a mental health therapy approach that works to reduce distressing emotions which are linked to traumatic memories. EMDR treats mental health conditions, often anxiety, depression or other symptoms, which occur because of those memories we have stored from traumaticevents.
In my first and second articles on the phases of EMDR we looked at Phases 1&2-Client History/Treatment Planning and Preparation and then we explored phases 3&4-Assessment and Desensitization.
If you would like to read the articles on phases 1&2 and 3&4, please find them on the Marsh Psychology Group website, https://marshpsychologygroup.com/blog/
We will now look at Phases 5-8.
Phase 5: Installation. Once the desensitization therapy sessions are complete, the client will likely feel more positive about the memory. Clients often report they feel the memory is farther away or it just isn’t upsetting anymore. In theinstallation phase these positive emotions and thoughts are “installed.”
In this phase, the client connects and strengthens a positive belief with the target event until it feels completely true. This is done by having the client focus on the positive belief or thought while continuing with bilateral stimulation. The primary objective is to create positive cognitions and associations with the memory.
Phase 6: Body Scan: During the body scan, the client is asked to hold in mind the target event and the positive belief while scanning the body from head to toe. If there are any lingering negative emotions or thoughts, the therapist will ask the client to focus on those sensations while continuing with bilateral stimulation. The goal is to help the client become more aware of their body and any emotions or thoughts affecting them.
The next and last two phases ensure safety for the client both at the end of the current session and at the beginning of the next session.
Phase 7: Closure: Every session of reprocessing ends with the seventh phase, closure, in which the client is assisted to return to a state of calm in the present moment. This phase occurs whether the reprocessing is complete or not. Reprocessing of an event is complete when the client feels neutral about it andreports a disturbance level of zero, and the positive belief feels completely true. The body is also completely clear of disturbance.
Phase 8: Reevaluation: Reevaluation is how each new session begins after reprocessing. The client and therapist discuss recently processed memories to ensure that distress is still low, and that the positive cognition is still strong. If that is true, the client and therapist will move back to the assessment phase to begin working on the next memory.
If you have experienced trauma of any kind and feel you could benefit from EMDR to reduce symptoms and to improve quality of life, feel free to reach out to me at Marsh Psychology Group.
Carol Van Kampen, LMSW is an individual private practice psychotherapist who specializes in anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma treatment at Marsh Psychology Group. Carol is EMDR trained. Contact her at marshpsychologygroup.com
cvankampen@marshpsychologygroup.com
” https://marshpsychologygroup.com/carol-van-kampen-lmsw/
Resources: https://www.emdria.org/public-resources/the-eight-phases-of-emdr-therapy/