Stress Care of New Jersey, LLC

Stress Care Of New Jersey, Llc

• Psychiatric Evaluation

  A psychiatric evaluation is a mental health evaluation by a psychiatrist designed to determine whether a patient is presenting with a mental illness and if so, to establish a diagnosis and the best course of treatment. A full evaluation typically requires multiple sessions to obtain enough information on the patient. The doctor will gather information on the present symptoms and concerns as well as about the health, illness and medical and psychiatric treatment of the patient. Any medications being taken and family health and psychiatric histories will be detailed. Interviews with the patient, and sometimes family members, are essential. Questions are asked about the patient's relationships with family and friends. In some cases, a physical exam, blood tests and other forms of assessment may provide important insight, especially into inherited concerns. An involuntary psychiatric evaluation can take place when a treating physician demonstrates that a person may be a danger to themselves or others. The person will be taken to a psychiatric emergency room for examination by a team of mental health workers.

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• Medication Management

  For many conditions, psychotherapy is often combined with medication for the most effective treatment. When a psychologist determines that a patient he or she is working with would be helped by a medication, they will refer the patient for a medication evaluation. In the initial consultation, the use of the medication is thoroughly discussed as are its benefits and risks. Potential side effects are always considered, as they can sometimes be disruptive to normal activities, possibly causing fatigue, hunger and changes in your responsiveness to your surroundings. Medical history, family history and information about allergies are also considered before prescribing, as are any other medications, supplements or herbal remedies being taken. Once you are prescribed a medication, you will need to see your doctor regularly to ensure that it is working properly for you and to adjust dosages as necessary. This will also help the doctor to know that you are taking the medication appropriately as prescribed. Missing doses of medication or taking them at the wrong times can result in complications or their failure to work correctly.

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• Individual Therapy

  Psychotherapy is a general treatment method for nearly any mental or emotional disorder that involves talking about your condition with a professional. Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy or counseling. Talking about your condition can help you learn more about it and identify your feelings, thoughts, moods and behaviors associated with it. Psychotherapy can help relieve problems caused by serious mental illnesses or other stressful issues including grief, anger, relationship problems, eating disorders or personality disorders. Sessions typically last 45 to 60 minutes and can be done alone, with family members or while performing certain activities. Psychotherapy can be done according to various approaches, including: Psychodynamic Therapy suggests that an individual is under mental or emotional stress from unresolved conflicts, typically from childhood. Psychodynamic therapy aims to put the individual at ease about their past experiences by discussing them and their associated feelings. This form of therapy can last anywhere from a few months to a few years. Interpersonal Therapy focuses on an individual's behavior during social interactions. This approach aims to improve social skills and boost self-esteem in a relatively short period of time (usually no longer than four months). Interpersonal therapy works especially well for depression. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy aims to correct improper self-perceptions that may be afflicting an individual that is mentally ill. Through this approach, the mental health specialist assists the individual in developing a new thought process, allowing them to make better, more accurate assumptions about themselves and others. Psychotherapy can be used alone or in conjunction with medication. It can successfully change behaviors, providing the individual with a better understanding of their situation and allowing them to positively change their ways. With a willingness to be open, honest and form a partnership with your therapist, psychotherapy can be extremely successful.

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• Family Therapy

  Family therapy is a form of psychotherapy that treats two or more members of the same family. The family therapist addresses the individual family's constellation as a unique variation on a common social system. Family therapists study and help to improve the dynamics in a family in which one or more members is experiencing overt distress. Family therapy is based on the premise that, because the interaction among family members is so close and intense, the beliefs, personalities and experiences of each member affect the well-being of the whole family. The designated "patient" in a given family not only impacts the other members, but may be the subconsciously designated representative of the entire family's inner turmoil. Modern day family therapy is not limited to treating individuals related by blood or marriage. Any individuals living as a couple or intimate group may benefit from this type of therapy. Family therapy may be particularly helpful for people who come from nuclear families in which there was dysfunction. Under the guidance of a skilled therapist, healthy family interactions are taught so that family members can learn ways to be supportive of one another during difficult times rather than to engage in conflict. Reasons for Family Therapy There are a many reasons people seek family therapy. Among the most common are the following, which may be evident in one or more family members: Substance abuse or alcoholism Depression or mood disorder Behavioral problems at school or work Marital or couple instability, sexual dysfunction or discord Conflict and communication problems Eating disorders Suicidal ideation or behavior Post-traumatic stress Sexual abuse suffered within or outside the family Illness or bereavement issues Family therapy can also be a very successful proactive tool and is often sought out by families in which problems can be reasonably expected to develop, such as where there is a marriage which will change the family composition or in which there has recently been a death. Benefits of Family Therapy Perhaps the most important benefit of family therapy is that family members become aware that the family dynamic is available to change. As family members begins to understand their own complicity in family dysfunction, they are able to begin to establish more constructive behavior patterns. As each person in the family makes small positive changes, the family as a whole becomes less divisive and more supportive of all of its members. Family therapy offers specific benefits which may include helping family members to: Focus on the dynamics of the family behavior as a whole Avoid scapegoating the designated "sick" member of the family See the value of working together to promote a sense of inclusion and respect Improve communication through non-judgmental listening and non-combative expression Let go of such dysfunctional roles as victim, bully, fixer or enabler Identify problems as they arise and develop family strategies to cope with them Family Therapy Treatment During therapy sessions, members of the family are taught to become aware of their own strengths and weakness as well as those of the other family members. All members are shown how to take responsibility for their own behavior patterns. Family therapy is a very active variety of psychotherapy and the therapist may often give family members assignments to improve their interactions with one another. One member may be assigned not to offer any criticism or suggestions to other family members for a week. Another may be assigned to delegate tasks rather than to complain about being overburdened. As the family works together, setting mutual goals and beginning to see positive changes, trust and bonding may re-establish themselves and the family unit may become more cohesive. Family therapy may involve shorter or more long-term time investment, depending on the severity of the problems and the commitment of the participants. Not all family members will be asked to attend all sessions. It is also possible for progress to be achieved even without the full cooperation of all members of the family since changes in the behavior of some family members will inevitably precipitate changes in the family dynamic as a whole.

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• Group Therapy

  Group therapy is a type of psychotherapy in which several patients are treated at the same time. Group therapy may take place in a variety of settings, including hospitals, mental health clinics, community centers and private offices. In some cases, group therapy is the only treatment employed, but more commonly it is used in combination with individual therapy and/or medication. Reasons for Group Therapy Group therapy may be used to treat almost all kinds of psychological/psychiatric disorders. Conditions in which group therapy may be particularly effective include: Addiction Anxiety Bipolar disorder Eating disorders Psychological issues surrounding physical illness Phobias, particularly social phobia Post-traumatic stress, or PTSD Benefits of Group Therapy Group therapy may offer several benefits whether used alone or in combination with other therapies. For the professional therapist, group therapy provides a unique perspective, allowing the therapist to observe firsthand the behavior of the patient in a social setting. For the patient, the benefits of group therapy are numerous and may include the following: Commonality Individuals engaging in group therapy quickly become aware that they are not alone in their suffering. This alleviates the sense of isolation that patients suffering from anxiety, addiction, phobias or other psychological issues may be experiencing. Because the group members' goal is to help one another as they help themselves, each member comes to experience a sense of acceptance and belonging. Open self-expression Group therapy, like individual therapy, offers a setting for expression of an individual's most worrisome and difficult feelings. Such open expression is beneficial and cathartic, offering a measure of relief from pent-up stress. Trust In group therapy, each patient shares a great deal of personal information and is concurrently the recipient of the confidences of others. The bond created among group members may enable patients to develop increased trust in others outside the group. Hope Since members of a group are at various stages of treatment, newcomers are able to observe other individuals progressing in their recovery. This may provide those beginning therapy with hope for their own recovery. Self-esteem In group therapy, each member plays a therapeutic role in sharing and making helpful criticisms or suggestions. The ability to assist others often provides increased self-confidence and reassurance of personal worth. Shared information Because group members are going through similar problems, they are able to share helpful information which may be both practical and healing. Socialization techniques In the safe, supportive environment of the group setting, patients are encouraged to experiment with new, healthier social behaviors without the fear of failure or embarrassment present in everyday life. With the help of a skilled therapist, patients learn to channel their feelings and improve their behavior through the imitation of healthier patterns. Learning such patterns is facilitated by direct observation and discussion by the therapist and other group members. Examples of bad behavior observed and discussed may also be effective learning tools. Self-awareness Getting immediate feedback on one's words and actions in a comfortably safe setting enables individuals to understand the impact of their own words and behavior in ways usually impossible in the outside world. In the group's therapeutic environment, group members and therapist may be truthful and direct in ways that ordinary society, or even familial settings, do not always encourage or even allow. Personal growth During the course of group therapy, as individual problems and flaws are discussed and accepted, each group member is encouraged to to take responsibility for personal actions. This almost always results in personal and interpersonal growth. Group Therapy Treatment While such groups may include only three or four individuals, typical therapy groups include 7 to 12 members. An average group meets once or twice weekly for an hour or two. Though some therapy groups are limited to as few as six sessions, most groups are maintained for at least a year. New members may be admitted to existing groups, but an effort is usually made to keep most of the group intact for its duration in order to facilitate bonding and trust. Most often, participants in group therapy sit in a circle to maintain a feeling of inclusion. Depending on the make-up and purpose of the therapy sessions and the style of the therapist, the sessions may be entirely open and free-flowing or may follow a particular format or agenda.

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• Child/Adolescent Counseling

  Mental health is an important part of a child's overall health and has a profound impact on a child's physical health and his or her ability to succeed in school and in society.The mental health of a child is as important as the child's physical health in affecting how the child thinks, feels, and acts, both on the inside and outside. Mental health issues can have a long term impact on a child's ability to fulfill his or her potential as an adolescent and as an adult. The American Psychological Association (APA) estimates that 15 million children in the United States are currently experiencing some form of mental disorder, and many more are at risk of developing a mental disorder due to a wide variety of risk factors, including biology and genetics; family, school, and community influences; and peer pressure.It is also estimated that only about 7 percent of these youths receive appropriate mental health services from professional mental health service providers. Research in child and adolescent psychology has helped bring about great advancements in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders in children and adolescents.At Stress Care our professional staff is trained to consider the complete spectrum of a child's or adolescent's mental development in the areas of identity, emotions, social relations, cognition, and biology and genetics.Counseling and therapy can help children and adolescents meet the challenges of growing up, such as stress, anxiety, depression, and a variety of emotional and behavioral issues.Therapy administered by a professional can also help children and adolescents overcome the effects of significant life events, such as a death in the family, trauma, abuse, or parental separation, which can lead to problems with stress, mood, appetite, sleep, and problems at school or at home. Other factors that may indicate that a child or adolescent may benefit from professional psychological counseling include developmental delays, learning disabilities (such as ADHD), behavioral issues, a significant downturn in academic performance, withdrawal from friends or family, mood swings, insomnia, bullying, signs of alcoholism or drug abuse, and sudden changes in appetite or eating habits, especially in adolescents. At Stress Care, our trained professionals provide counseling and therapy for children and adolescents in a safe, supportive, and comforting environment, using research-based mental health techniques to help your child or adolescent reach his or her potential.

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• Couples/ Marriage Counseling

  Marriage counseling, also known as couples therapy, is a type of psychotherapy that helps couples of all types-heterosexual, homosexual, married or not married-improve their relationships by helping them recognize and resolve their conflicts.A trained, professional marriage counselor can help couples rebuild their relationships by assisting the couple in a thoughtful and deliberate reconciliation process.In some cases, of course, this may also mean that the two individuals will go their own separate ways. In most cases, both members of a couple will attend marriage counseling together, but in some cases only one member of the couple may choose to work with the therapist.The therapy is usually short term, taking place over a certain number of sessions, but in other cases the therapy may proceed for a more extended duration, depending on the needs and desires of the couple. There are several reasons why couples may seek help from a professionally trained marriage counselor.Some couples may come to a marriage counselor to better understand each other and strengthen their relationship.Other couples, who are thinking of marrying, may come to a marriage counselor for pre-marriage counseling to get a better idea of their compatibility before marriage.Many couples seek marriage counseling to improve a relationship that is troubled by any number of specific issues, such as poor communication, sexual difficulties, child-rearing conflicts, drug and alcohol abuse, financial difficulties, excessive anger, infidelity, and divorce.While marriage counseling may also be helpful in resolving issues that lead to domestic abuse, counseling itself is not adequate in cases that escalate or may escalate to violence, in which case contacting the police or seeking a crisis shelter is recommended. In a joint therapy session with a marriage counselor, the couple will learn skills that can help them strengthen their relationship, such as how to communicate more openly, how to solve problems together, and how to discuss differences in a rational and productive manner.The therapist will help the couple analyze the positive and negative factors that may be the sources of satisfaction and conflict in the relationship. Making the decision to undertake marriage counseling is never easy.At Horizons Behavioral Health our trained professional counselors, can help you cope with a troubled relationship and give you the skills and support you need to make thoughtful decisions that can help you resolve conflicts and strengthen your relationship.

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• Grief Counseling

  After the loss of a loved one or other traumatic event, we cope with the situation by grieving. We are faced with painful feelings and may find it hard to find happiness in spite of our losses. We often must adapt to changes, redefine our relationships and eventually carry on with our lives. Most people experience grief after significant events. For those that require a little extra support, grief counseling is available. Through encouragement and support, we help our clients commemorate the life that has been lost while also moving forward to build a new future.

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• Health Education

  Health education is as powerful a tool in treating emotional disorders as it is preventing the spread of physical diseases. Health educators are trained to understand the interplay between the various types of health and to disseminate their knowledge to individuals, groups and entire communities. Their job is to improve health literacy so that people can become their own advocates and advocates for those close to them. Health education, invaluable in school and university classrooms, is equally important in wellness programs in government agencies, businesses, organizations and in outreach programs in rural, suburban and inner city communities. Health education is concerned with the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health. Health Education Training Individuals who work in health education may have majored in the field or may have completed an undergraduate degree in another field, such as physical education, nursing or physical therapy. They may have taken advanced courses in health education and obtained master's or even doctoral degrees. In the course of their educational pursuits, they will undoubtedly have gotten on-the-job training. Types of Health Education Health education encompasses a variety of issues, some very personal, some global. While individuals can arrange their lives so that they are more likely to experience a healthy life, there are always factors beyond their control. Types of health include: Physical health Social health Environmental health Emotional health Intellectual health Spiritual health Health care educators frequently work in the arena of public health, an area that focuses on the first three varieties of health mentioned. Public health education may involve any topics that involve large groups of people. Health Concerns Addressed by Health Education Health education provides detailed information about the importance of nutrition, exercise and healthy habits in developing and maintaining good health. Health educators teach individuals and communities about a variety of health-related topics, including: Personal hygiene Obesity Use of tobacco or alcohol Substance abuse Safe sexual practices Family planning Safe prenatal and obstetrical care Immunizations Communicable diseases Signs of physical or sexual abuse Signs of self-injurious behavior There is a perpetual interaction between physical health and mental or emotional well-being. Health educators are trained to understand this connection. In educating individuals and groups about healthy lifestyles, health educators must evaluate and demonstrate the ways in which stress negatively impacts health. Stress can produce a tremendous variety of physical, mental and emotional symptoms and can exacerbate existing ones. Such symptoms may include headaches, digestive disturbances, heart palpitations, visual difficulties, chronic pain or fatigue, anxiety, sleep disturbances and phobias. The list is almost endless since there is hardly a symptom that cannot be brought on by stress. Extensive research has demonstrated that there are physiological reasons for this since the human body reacts to stress by producing cortisol, which in turn alters metabolic, cardiovascular, neurological and immunological responses. Risk Factors for Stress Health education frequently focuses on identifying at-risk populations. Just as there are risk factors for substance abuse or physical violence, there are specific risk factors for stress. Of course, many of these factors are common to both. Generally speaking, poverty and lack of education put people at risk for stress as well as for other physical and mental health problems. Stress can be caused by presumably positive, as well as negative events. Other factors which precipitate stress are: Moving Changing jobs Changing marital status Additions or losses of family members Chronic illness or pain Work and family difficulties Ways to Alleviate Stress Health education, in addition to promoting healthy sanitary, nutritional, sexual and medical practices, is concerned with reducing stress in individuals and in the community as a whole. Health educators are trained to encourage activities known to be beneficial to the mind and body, such as: Physical exercise Meditation Social connection Yoga

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