Sex Therapy

Sex therapists can be psychiatrists, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, or clinical social workers. The best sex therapists will also be licensed within other helping professions (e.g. psychology, family counseling), so you can think of it as if you are seeing a urologist for urological problems rather than a primary care physician, because both have specialized instruction in the area. However, because the area of sex therapy is unregulated (on a federal level, some states have a certification process in sex therapy), anyone can call themselves a sex therapist, as it isn’t a protected or regulated title. This is the result of a great deal of diversity in the training and practice of people who refer to themselves as sex therapists.

Below are some of the most common questions people have about sex therapy:

What is sex therapy?

Sex therapy is a specialized form of counseling for adults that focuses on sexual issues, most often for individuals in relationships.

Sex therapy is usually goal-oriented, meaning that the sex therapist will try to help you develop a definitive issue and the goal of therapy will be to work on that specific issue and resolve it, or find a way to make whatever problems it causes have less of an impact on your life and sex life. Commonly, sex therapy will focus on a sexual dysfunction or major sexual communication problems between partners.

Sex therapy is usually directive. Sex therapists will be active, asking questions  and often giving direct suggestions, homwork exercises, and information in an effort to support your goals for the therapy.

As a practice, sex therapy is not federally regulated, although some states have their own individual certification process.

There are several graduate schools in the U.S. that specialize in training for sex therapy. Some people assemble their training by rigorous self-study and by attendance at the major sexological organizations’ annual conferences. In addition, there are countless scientific journals dedicated solely to sexual research.

How to choose the right sex therapist

The most important element in choosing therapists of any kind is the relationship between you and them. Talking about sexual inadequacies can be tough, so think about who you would be comfortable working with. Gender, race, age, and even religious affiliations may all be factors. If you feel you cannot be honest to them, or vice versa, it is important you find someone you feel comfortable with. This is especially important in sex therapy because of the sensitive, and sometimes embarassing, nature of the problem.

Another issue for the majority of us is money. Therefore, it is recommended to search for sex therapists who also have the appropriate degrees that would enable your meeting to be covered by your health-care provider (e.g. medical doctor). It is absolutely find to ask a potential therapist about their rates. Don’t be afraid to ask if they will accept a lower rate, some therapists will need the extra traffic, and if you cannot afford their quoted rate they may be willing to bargain.

Will Lee
Counselor Network Writer

Eating Disorder

25 million individuals, in the United States, will indulge in overeating this year. That number may sound shocking, but if you take into account that individuals have been suffering from eating disorders since 700 (B.C.), it is not that alarming. That’s right; 700 (B.C.)! Ancient Romans would overindulge in lavish dinners, then leave, relieve themselves, by vomiting; and came back for more. Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, depicted drawings of individuals purging to “remain healthy”. Whether it is over eating or under eating, 10% of individuals suffering from this disease are male and 7% of all women are currently suffering, as well. Since the average age of suffers plummets, to 11-13 years old, we must become aware of the causes and treatments.

CAUSE:

-Environmental: Each individual’s surrounding is very influential; in particular, the media. The media presents the viewing public with a standardized male and female look. Since it is everywhere, it nearly becomes etched in out brain. Individuals with a weak or little confidence, can be affected by this stereotype. It is commonplace, for this individual to begin to critique their own body against the media. Unfortunately, no matter how they look it is not good enough.

-Biological: Individual who suffer from a low serotonin level (i.e. depression or obsessive compulsive disorder) are susceptible to eating disorders.

-Developmental Etiology: The way an individual is raised can effect the personality, one develops.

-Trauma: Any event, in which, an individual witnesses or is part of a life threatening situation, can be the catalyst for an eating disorder.

TREATMENTS:

-Each individual has a different case, and they must be approached accordingly. Whether it is through support groups, one-on-one therapy, or clinical programs, the individual must receive immediate help. If you feel an individual or yourself may be suffering from an eating disorder, contact your local doctor immediately.

Be Understood

Your conflicts sometimes lead to painful or bitter fights. When all is said and done after your difference du jour, you both feel frustrated, hurt, dejected and misunderstood. You both know you will repeat your familiar but painful scenario in the near future; it’s a matter of when, not if. You feel helpless and confused, and have no idea how to break the pattern you faithfully, but regrettably, repeat. In the end, the refrain is the same: “You just don’t understand! This article is about how to change that.

We all want to be heard and understood, and when we’re not, all too often we blame our partner for it. However, the responsibility for being understood begins on your own side of the street, not your partner’s. Unwittingly, you undercut being understood when under stress.

Ironically, you probably ‘know’ what constitutes effective and ineffective behavior when hashing out an issue. And yet, ineffective stuff easily surfaces. For example, calling your partner a derogatory name seldom leads to your partner feeling safe, but you do it anyway, with predictable consequences.

This happens, in part, because emotional states tend to trump clear thinking. Keeping emotional reactivity low can be a challenge. Humans run from pain much faster than doing the crucial work that leads them toward pleasure. Why? Our brains are wired to run from danger and pain. It’s a survival reflex.

Ineffective behavior in the service of decreasing your pain reduces emotional safety. In short, a relationship is only as emotionally safe as the partner who feels the least safe.

Winning, and setting the record (facts) straight in an argument also inhibits being understood. When couples decide to join their lives together, they believe their union is a team. Introduce conflict in to your day-to-day lives, and voila, it may feel like you’re on opposing teams! Amazing, isn’t it? How often have you said to yourself, your partner or a friend, “when we fight, I can never win,”? Or, “I knew I married Mr./Ms. Right, I just didn’t know his/her first name was ‘always’!”

Being right during a conflict goes hand in hand with winning. Ultimately, the result is the same. The ‘right’ one feels good, and the ‘wrong’ one feels bad. The net effect: distance, and a failure to produce emotional safety and relationship closeness.

So, here’s what to do instead of pounding a nail in to your shoe. What if you did some things completely different, such as the following: 1). gave up being right and winning; 2). spoke with honesty; 3). talked about yourself. Those elements keep connection during conflict, lead to being understood and promote emotional safety. OK, now, suspend disbelief, take a deep breath, give it a shot, try any or all, and see what happens.

Here are an examples of each:

1). GIVING UP BEING RIGHT/WINNING

Your partner says something like this (I know you wouldn’t, right?): “You NEVER do what I ask, even the smallest, simplest thing! You ALWAYS ignore me!” (Here’s a hint for you that will take the “u” out of clueless–NEVER and ALWAYS are not meant to be taken literally. NEVER and ALWAYS point out the intensity of the emotions or feelings accompanying the complaint–NEVER and ALWAYS are qualitative, not quantitative. DO NOT take “never” and “always” literally. Got it? Excellent!)

HERE’S YOUR OLD, TIME TESTED AND HONORED, DEEPLY GROOVED PATTERN RESPONSE, BASED ON YOUR DESIRE TO BE RIGHT, SO YOU CAN WIN, SO THAT YOUR SEX LIFE REMAINS DORMANT, IF NOT DEAD:

“Yes I do. In fact on January 4, 2001 when you asked me to take the garbage out, I did it, and I didn’t even sulk. And right now, I am, in fact, listening to you, or I would not have been able to remember when I took the garbage out. So, I don’t know what your problem is. By the way, why do you always say “always” and “never” when you know they’re never true? I don’t get it”

No, YOU don’t get it, but that’s OK, because you’re only human, too. try the following alternative response. Take a risk, stretch, give it a shot, see what happens.

HERE’S YOUR NEW, NOT TIME TESTED, NOT PART OF A DEEPLY GROOVED PATTERN, BUT BASED ON YOUR DESIRE TO UNDERSTAND AND CONNECT WITH YOUR PARTNER, SO THAT HE/SHE WILL BE MORE COMPASSIONATE WHEN PICKING OUT YOUR NURSING HOME, NEW RESPONSE:

“Wow, it sounds like you’re telling me maybe I’m not as reliable as I like to think I am, and, when you try to tell me about it, I really don’t want to hear it, so I shut you down with an air-tight counter-argument. And now, you sound really irritated and hurt.”

That is what giving up being right and winning looks like when morphed into understanding looks like.

2). HONESTY

Honesty is the best policy. Well, at least that’s what we’re told. Notice I didn’t say that’s what we’re taught. That’s because, by and large, in this culture, we are not taught how to be honest, we’re simply told to be honest. In fact, we are told to be honest, but are taught/shown how to be dishonest, an implicit double message.

Bullwash, you say. Well, maybe, but here’s a test: What was NOT talked about in your family of origin? Did your parents/step-parents/caregivers talk openly about sensitive issues like sex, eroticism and love, and the connection between them? Were emotions talked about? Was it acceptable and safe to express your thoughts & feelings?

Was it safe to honestly tell family members what you thought and felt–in other words, was the price of honesty low enough to reinforce honest, effective communication when you were a kid, especially when there were differences?

Did mom and dad display their ability to listen and understand each other respectfully?

If you were the bearer of ‘bad news,’ such as a less than stellar report card, or you lobbed a baseball through a window, or you got a ticket, was it safe to come clean, even if a bit reluctantly? Could you question parental authority (appropriately) without repercussion simply because you questioned?

That is a short list. There are countless family of origin situations that either promote or discourage honesty. If your answers lean more toward “no” than “yes,” lies of omission may pepper your current relationship more than you are aware. If so, there’s a good chance your partner will not understand you. Why? Because information withheld or omitted prevents understanding.

Here’s an example of a dishonest exchange, i.e., replete with omissions, followed by its honest counter-part:

Scenario–You really want to confront your partner. He/she was drunk at a party the night before. This is a recurring event. You were embarrassed and humiliated, and today you feel hurt and angry, and now you’re worried that he/she may, indeed, be an alcoholic. Bringing up a thorny topic has always been difficult for you–a part of you is afraid of conflict. There was alcoholism in your family of origin. Conflict was seldom managed effectively.

A DISHONEST EXCHANGE–looks like this:

YOU: “Did you have fun at the party last night–you seemed to have a good time?”

PARTNER: “I had a great time! Did you?”

YOU: “It was OK, not great. Sometimes being around all that drinking gets kind of old.”

PARTNER: “Hey, what’s the big deal, it’s a party, right? That’s what parties are about.”

YOU: “I know, but still, it would be nice if it were different, that’s all I’m saying.”

(Nice and safe, didn’t scratch the surface, no understanding achieved.).

HONEST EXCHANGE– looks like this:

YOU: “Honey, I want to talk with you about the party last night. It was not fun for me. In fact,
there were several times I felt terribly embarrassed and humiliated. When I think back
on it today, I am very hurt, angry and scared. I am afraid that there is alcoholism in our
house, just like when I was a kid. I don’t want to ignore it in our marriage like my
parents ignored it in theirs. Please, can we talk about this and do something about it?

(Safe, non-reactive, but direct, clear, honest expression of feeling and experience).

PARTNER: “Wow, this is really hard stuff to hear. Part of me feels really defensive right now.
But another part of me knows there’s some truth in what you’re saying. I really
don’t want to see myself as a drunk, but I know I really lose it sometimes. I’m
sorry I did those things last night–I can see how you’d feel. Do you honestly
think our marriage is like your parents’?

YOU: “I don’t know, that’s the problem. All I know is, I won’t live like they did. I told myself
it would never happen to me, but I’m so scared that it’s happening anyway!”

PARTNER: “I feel really weird saying this to you, but the truth is, I’ve secretly been worried
about my drinking for a while now. I didn’t want to tell you that because I thought
you might kick me out. I’ve been worried about that, too!”

YOU: “I am SO relieved to hear to hear you say that! I don’t want to kick you out, although,
there have been times when I’ve thought about it –maybe we ca find a way to kick the
the alcohol out.

The differences between the two scenarios above are numerous and hopefully, obvious. It isn’t necessarily easy or comfortable having open, honest exchanges similar to the one above. But they work! Developing the ability to have them is crucial to a long and happy relationship. Remember, all the external communication tools and skills are ineffective unless you have the internal ability to risk being honest. Sometimes that requires professional counseling.

3). TALK ABOUT YOURSELF

Being understood also requires you talk about yourself. I am not referring to an egocentric or unhealthy narcissism. Talking about yourself means not talking about your partner. Quite simply, if you want to be understood, talking about someone else makes no sense. It’s impossible to be understood if you’re talking about your partner.

If you and your sibling each broke a leg in a car crash, which leg would you talk about if you wanted your experience to be understood? Yours, of course. It is virtually the same with you and your partner. When you want your partner to understand you, chances are the more you talk about your partner the less you will be understood. Here’s the deal: TALK ABOUT YOURSELF.

Easier said than done, you’re right, and here is why: Chances are, the model of conflict management you grew up with included watching and/or listening to parents talk about the other, rather than themselves. Accusations, blaming, name-calling, making the other ‘wrong,’ are but a few of the ways partners/parents talk about the other.

If either parent was conflict averse, and could not be honest (a la the example above) there’s a good chance neither felt understood. You may have carried a similar pattern into adulthood.

What does talking about yourself look like? Let’s use the example above (HONESTY) for reference:

NOT TALKING ABOUT YOURSELF EXCHANGE– looks like this:

YOU: “Did you have fun at the party last night–you seemed to have a good time?”
(Instead of telling your partner about yourself, you focus on your partner).

PARTNER: “I had a great time! Did you?”
(Doesn’t really understand what you are actually trying to say because you
are not saying it).

YOU: “It was OK, not great. Sometimes being around all that drinking gets kind of old.”
(This is vague and indirect, and does not convey your true experience).

PARTNER: “Hey, what’s the big deal, it’s a party, right? That’s what parties are about.”
(Doesn’t tell you anything about his inner thoughts about his/her drinking).

YOU: “I know, but still, it would be nice if it were different, that’s all I’m saying.”
(Omits any feelings or thoughts that reflect inner experience that would
facilitate being understood).

TALKING ABOUT YOURSELF EXCHANGE–looks like this:

YOU: “Honey, I want to talk with you about the party last night. It was not fun for me. In fact,
there were several times I felt terribly embarrassed and humiliated. When I think back
on it today, I am very hurt, angry and scared. I am afraid that there is alcoholism in our
house, just like when I was a kid. I don’t want to ignore it in our marriage like my
parents ignored it in theirs. Please, can we talk about this and do something about it?

(There is no blaming, accusing, name-calling, or talking about the partner. Everything
that was said is clear, direct, honest, and about the person speaking).

PARTNER: “Wow, this is really hard stuff to hear. Part of me feels really defensive right now.
But another part of me knows I should be concerned too. I really don’t want to see
myself as a drunk, but I know I really lose it sometimes. I’m sorry I did those
things last night–I get how you’d feel. Do you honestly think our marriage
is like your parents’?

(No defensiveness; clear, direct, honest expression and ownership of his/her own
thoughts, feelings and behavior. These responses clearly tell the other partner
it is safe to have a talk about about a difficult topic–definitely talking about
self).

YOU: “I don’t know, that’s the problem. All I know is, I won’t live like they did. I told myself
it would never happen to me, but I’m so scared that it’s happening anyway!”

(Again, talking only about self).

PARTNER: “I feel really weird saying this to you, but the truth is, I’ve secretly been worried
about my drinking for a while now. I didn’t want to tell you that because I thought
you might kick me out. I’ve been worried about that, too!”

(Again, talking only about self).

YOU: “I am SO relieved to hear to hear you say that! I don’t want to kick you out,
although, there have been times when I’ve thought about it–maybe we can
find a way to kick the drinking out.

(Again, talking only about self).

Give these a shot, ask each other for support in attempting different ways of being honest.
Let go of being right and winning for a day–try it on.
Take a risk, if even for one short conversation, to be deeply honest (not to be confused with hostile, brutal honesty).

Talk about yourself, your own feelings and experiences, absent blaming, accusing and name-calling.

Being understood is your responsibility, not your partner’s. The more patience, effort and repetition you put toward giving up being right/winning, honesty and talking about yourself, the greater likelihood for healthy connection. Chances are, your next conflict may not end with the words “you just don’t understand.”

Mood Disorders

The brain is one of the most important and fragile organs of the entire body. However the brain is tangible, the mind is not. The mind is an abstract amalgamation, comprised of emotions, thoughts, values, and beliefs. Depending on an individual’s current mind mixture, their mood can vary from happy to sad. What if your mind demands an inappropriate mood for the moment? If this is the case, you are not alone. 44 million individuals experience mood disorders in the United States, alone.

The actual term mood disorders, is a blanket classification for several different disorders.

1. Depressive Disorders: This classification encompasses several types of depression disorders; Atypical Depression, Melancholic Depression, Psychotic Major Depression, Catatonic Depression, Postpartum Depression, Seasonal Depression, Dysthmyia Depression, Recurrent Brief Depression, and Minor Depressive Disorder. Each one of these disorders, effects the individual’s emotional state in chronic, varying degrees.

2. Bipolar Disorder: Formerly known as, manic depression, bipolar depression, combines episodes of severe depression and over excitement. An individual who experiences any stage of bipolar disorder will undergo immediate, spontaneous emotional changes. Witnessing someone in these circumstances, has been described, as an “emotional roller coaster ride”.

3. Substance-Induced Mood Disorders: An individual can experience substance-induced mood disorders, either under the influence or in withdrawal. The episodes are filled with anything from depression and paranoia, to manic an hypo-manic symptoms.

4. Alcohol-Induced Mood Disorders: Individuals who struggle with alcoholism, normally, experience severe depression. It is a viscous cycle. In order for an individual to feel better he/she drinks; then once he/she is satisfied depression hits. There is unfortunate no middle ground for this disorder.

5. Benzodiazepine-Induced Mood Disorders: This classification holds a close resemblance to the alcohol or substance induced mood disorders. Benzodiazepine is a medicine prescribed to individuals, suffering from insomnia or anxiety. The addiction to this medicine can off set an emotional typhoon of depression and manic behavior.

Insomnia

I did not sleep at all last night”. This comment is thrown around with a blind exaggeration. Anyway, it is not that irregular to experience the occasional sleepless night. However, if the individual at hand suffers from constant sleepless nights, he/she may have a sleep disorder. Sleep disorder is a physical or mental obstacle, which disrupts the normal pattern of sleep. The actual term sleep disorder is a blanket term, which covers several different types disorders.

1. Primary insomnia: This disorder, is one of the most common sleep disorder. An individual experiencing this, will have a chronic issue falling asleep or maintaining asleep.

2. Bruxism: This particular sleep disorder, involuntarily forces individuals to grind their teeth while sleeping.

3. Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS): An individual with DSPS, will have no issues with maintaining sleep, but will fall asleep at socially unacceptable times of day.

4. Hypopnea Syndrome: This sleep disorder must be carefully monitored. The main symptom of Hypopnea is extremely shallow or slow respiratory rate.

5. Narcolepsy: The sleep disorder of Narcolepsy, forces individuals to fall asleep spontaneous unwillingness.

6. Cataplexy: The sleep disorder of Cataplexy, does not actually occur within the boundary of sleep; it is the spontaneous relaxation of muscles; forcing the individual to collapse.

7. Night Terror: Try and recall the time you abruptly woke up from a nightmare. Now, take that time, and multiply it by ten. Individuals with Night Terror will abruptly arise from their slumber, with a sudden rush of terror.

8. Sleep Paralysis: Sleep Paralysis is a brief moment of paralyzing symptoms before or after sleep. This sleep disorder is mainly accompanied with visual or auditory hallucinations.

9. Sleepwalking: While an individual is sleepwalking, he/she will engage in activities, normally reserved for wakefulness (e.g. walking or getting dressed).

10. Somniphobia: The fear of sleeping.

Speech Disorders

Each night on ESPN’s Sportscenter; the NBA (National Basketball Association) games are broken down by Bill Walton. Walton was a three time NCAA Player of the Year, one of the 50 greatest basketball players, a commentator of over 100 NBA games a year, and up until 28 he suffered from one of the worst speech impediments. 7.5 million individuals are currently suffering from speech disorders, in the United States, alone. However, speech disorders is a blanket term which covers a wide spectrum of disorders.

1. Stuttering: This is most common of all speech disorders. The actual action of stuttering is back up of sounds within the mouth, during the attempted production.

2. Cluttering: Clustering is the mash up of several different words at one time. When an individual tries to talk, their mouth can not catch up to their thoughts; so a collection of sounds is expressed.

3. Dysprosody: Out of all the speech disorders; this is the rarest. The fundamental frequency and cadence, of the individual’s voice change rapidly through a normal conversation.

4. Speech & Sound Disorders: Within this specific speech disorder, an individual has a difficulty enunciating, articulating, or even producing certain sounds.

5. Voice Disorders: The actual physical disorder of the organs which produce speech.

6. Dysarthria: This disorder is a weakness in the muscles that produce speech. This disorder is usually the symptom of a stroke or Parkinson’s Disease.

7. Apraxia of Speech: An individual will lose the function of placing the correct sounds, in the correct places.

CLASSIFICATIONS:

1. Sounds That Patients Can Produce: Individuals can produce phonemic (easily produced sounds) and phonetic (produced only upon request

2. Stimulable Sounds: Either an individual can produce sounds voluntarily or after a stimulation.

3. Cannot Produce The Sound: Individuals can not audibly produce sounds voluntarily.

Bi Polar Disorder

What does an individual, who suffers from bi polar disorder, look like?”. Well in order to depict a clear picture, think of these people; Kurt Vonnegut (acclaimed author), Ozzy Osbourne (top selling musician), Mel Gibson (acclaimed actor), and Russel Brand (U.K.’s top stand up comedian). Each one of these highly regarded individuals is dealing, or has dealt with bi-polar disorder. This established picture, should erase any stereotypes; and mainly prove that any individual can be suffering. It is important to become aware of the symptoms, because bi-polar disorder can be very well hidden.

1. Depressive Episode: An individual who experiencing depressive episodes, will suffer from persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt, isolation, or hopelessness. These chronic symptoms will effect an individuals appetites, sleep, or activities. The main victim of an individual’s emotion is the personalization factors (e.g. social anxiety, irritability, loss of sexual interest).

2. Manic Episode: Manic episodes are different from depressive episodes, in the way that they are quick bursts of elevated emotion; as opposed to a chronic symptoms. Individuals who are experiencing these episodes

3. Hypomanic Episode: If an individual is presenting false happiness, it could be a symptom of hyomanic episodes. These episodes are filled with constant mood swings (extreme highs and extreme lows). Although the episodes may feel good to the individual who is experiencing, the crash is completely debilitating.

4. Mixed Affective Episode: The mixed affective episode is an a amalgamation of several different symptoms occurring at one time.

5. Associated Features: There are two main features that are extremely pronounced in any individual experiencing this disorder. First, an individual will rarely show any signs during a neuro-psychological test. The last, and most interesting, is most individual’s with this disorder wind up getting involved in the arts of some kind.

Gender Identity Disorder

Psychology has been riddled with controversial debates, for year; some of which have been solved, others which remain in a psychological purgatory. Are children active contributors or passive recipients of their own development? Is life filled with a series of abrupt changes or a gradual development? Is nature or nurture the main cause for a individual’s personal and mental development? All these questions have established an inter-psychological debate, but no question has received the external contribution, such as, is gender identity disorder an actual psychological disorder? Is it the negative stigma the word disorder conveys, or is it the actual idea that the physical is battling the mental? Either way, the mental state lies within several different “symptoms”.

1. A strong disinterest and discomfort with the sexuality one was born into.

2. A strong interest and comfort in the idea of the other gender.

3. A significant uncomfortable nature within a social or occupational areas of functioning.

4. As commonly believed, it is not gender identity disorder, if the individual is interested in both genders.

Several individuals who wish to change their gender, are given an intricate psychological test, along with several sessions in therapy. This practice is used, in order, to properly make sure that the individual is ready to handle the emotional and mental strain, that will come with the surgery. On the other hand, not every individual requests a surgery, some are just interested in establishing a deep understanding of the opposite gender, without any psychical changes. In this case, there is no mandatory psychological tests or sessions. Although there is no specific treatment or cause of the “disorder”, it is important to at least speak with a mental health professional, if you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms.

Anxiety

The term anxiety is a generalized category for several different types of depression. Individuals who suffer from a severe phobia (eg. heights, spiders, death); a compulsive habit (eg. washing hands, nervous twitch), or stress related to past a life threatening situation (eg. rape, war, natural disaster) all lie under the scope of anxiety depression. Below, a short list of each anxiety disorder has been compiled; to gain a better understanding of the anxiety disorder.

1. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): OCD is purely characterized by obsessive and habitual acts. Each individual, is linked to their specific habit, because of superstitious notions. The doctors still believe that each habitual act is usually inexplicable.

2. Social Anxiety Disorder: The fear that is linked to social anxiety, is based within specific social situations. The disorder can be so debilitating; an individual will go into isolation. Usually, this disorder is rooted in a past social situation, in which the individual was embarrassed, scrutinized, or humiliated.

3. Phobias: This form if anxiety depression is triggered by a specific situation or object. This is the most common anxiety disorder in the United States. It can render an individual in emotional terror at sight of heights, spiders, or vomit. The range of stimuli which cause this anxiety are limitless.

4. Panic Disorder: Panic disorder is the term for short fits of apprehension and/or terror; known as panic attacks. The attacks can abruptly rise within ten minutes, and last as long as a few hours. The attacks not only, hit an individual emotionally; the actual body goes through physical changes (eg. shaking, trembling, increased heart rate)

5. Generalized Anxiety Disorder: This disorder is attributed to a long lasting anxiety, which does not focus on one object or situation. Any individual who is suffering from this disorder, will experience long lasting episodes of fear and paranoia.

6. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): This specific anxiety disorder is linked stress, to a life threatening situation (rape, war, natural disaster). An individual who suffers from this form of anxiety, will experience flashbacks, depression, and even reclusive behavior.

Postmodern Therapy

In the 1940′s, the entire landscape of art was changed forever, when Jackson Pollack began releasing his paintings to the public. In 1965, Cormac McCarthy released his debut novel, The Orchard Keeper, with the unknowing result of transforming the world of literature. In 1989, Cesar Pelli’s vision of a new style of architecture was cemented, with the completion of the Wells Fargo Center. What do all these events have in common? Each one of these pieces of art, renegaded the post modern era, within their respective fields. The definition of the postmodern eras, was to “deconstruct” the existing mold. Although it is not a new phenomenon, postmodern therapy, is a unique and stylistic perspective on the field of psychology. This ideology, “deconstructs” the psychological mold, by highlighting “the given” (the things we take for granted) and attempting to establish a proper use for each. The main belief behind postmodern therapy is that it is impossible for any mental health “expert” to do deceiver what is “psychologically healthy”. The practitioners of this practice of therapy, attempt to minimize authority, while forming a communal relationship, between the patient and therapist. There are three separate styles of postmodern therapy; narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, collaborative language system.

1. Narrative Therapy: This form of postmodern therapy is vested in two principles; “all human thought and behavior exist in cultural contexts that give them particular meaning and significance” and “people’s view of the world is shaped through a complex, generally unconscious process of sifting through experiences”.

2. Solution Focused Therapy: Solution Focused Therapy, encourages the patient to transform his/her problems to solutions. This unconventional method believes that whatever has worked for the patient in the past, will work now.

3. Collaborative Language System: This form of therapy, is closely related to actually therapy in its in office practice. The therapist and the patient attempt to “dissolve” problems and issues through conversations. This laid back approach, allows the patient to feel more comfortable and open up