Archives for 2014

Art, dance, music and creative writing are all forms of personal expression, but did you know these artistic hobbies can also be use as stress management techniques? Mental health professionals often combine expressive therapies with traditional psychotherapy to help people communicate their thoughts and feelings. Not only can these creative processes contribute to stress relief, they can ease anxiety and depression.

Talking Pictures
One of the most effective tools in mental health treatment is art therapy. This involves painting or sketching images to represent emotions. If you want to use artwork to cope with stress, a therapist can guide you through interpreting your designs. Every professional uses unique evaluation techniques, and a New York City psychologist may take a different angle than a counselor based in a more rural setting.

Art therapy is frequently used with children and the elderly, but anyone can benefit from it. When creating a piece of art, you become engaged in the task at hand, which temporarily distracts you from whatever is causing your misery. Slipping into an almost meditative zone will clear your mind as well. Once you wander back into the turmoil of life, you’ll be refreshed and ready to battle the distress demons.

Musical Expression and Creative Movement
Dance and music therapy are also common methods for relieving stress. Through the art of dance, you can use the intricacies of movement to portray your innermost thoughts, and you don’t have to don a tutu or find a stage and spotlight to do so. Dancing helps you process and face your emotional state, but it also helps alleviate the physical pain and tension associated with stress.

Music therapy is a more complex practice for improving mental and physical health. Melodious sounds can stimulate and awaken the mind. This is why playing instruments, singing, participating in rhythmic drumming or simply listening to your favorite tune can heal your mental wounds. Music also causes positive changes in heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and hormone levels, which ultimately promotes well-being.

Life in Print
Like the other creative arts, journaling is also used as a means of self-exploration. Anxieties, concerns and fears can crush the psyche, but recording your thoughts may help you release suppressed emotions. Writing is a self-protective way to work through daily difficulties. In addition to the other advantages of expressive therapy, keeping a journal can help you discover the core of your stress and define long-term solutions.

Each type of expressive arts therapy is a stepping-stone to healing. Tapping into your creative side can be exciting, and the side effects are empowering. If you have trouble verbalizing your thoughts, contact us or check out our homepage. We can help you use artistic therapies as stress management techniques so that you can regain control of your emotions.

Sexual abuse in young children is a delicate issue and requires careful consideration. Many allegations are disregarded due to lack of physical evidence. This is why it’s necessary to use other methods for validating accusations. Forensic psychology is one highly successful approach. Mental health professionals can extensively evaluate child sexual abuse claims and offer authoritative opinions on their credibility.

Interpreting the Child’s Statements
If your son or daughter has made a sexual abuse accusation, you may need the help of an expert mental health examiner. A forensic psychologist will look for specific patterns that signify sexual violation. This includes particular behaviors or styles in which the child reports the abuse. Detailed or graphic descriptions of the actual molestation may be more reliable than vague or general accounts.

Psychologists also attempt to pull explicit facts from the child’s memory regarding the alleged abuse. If a child can describe where the act took place or what the offender said, the credibility of the accusation increases. Precise details such as what the abuser was wearing and which clothing items were removed add to the plausibility of the claim as well.

Using Nonverbal Methods of Expression
Some psychologists use anatomically correct dolls to confirm a sexual abuse complaint. These physical aids help children express themselves without having to verbalize their encounters with offenders. The downside to this method is that the child’s interaction with the doll can be misleading. Many children who have never been abused will explore and show unusual interest in a doll’s genitals.

Mental health experts often read between the lines when it comes to how a child plays with anatomically precise dolls. By clearly explaining that each doll represents a real person, such as the offender and the child, the examiner can subtly encourage role-playing that may substantiate the allegation. If a specialist proposes the use of these dolls with your son or daughter, be sure to discuss the process thoroughly beforehand.

Dealing With Recantations and False Accusations
At some point, a molested child may take back an allegation. There are numerous motives for a child to recant an accusation, so a professional must pinpoint the reasons in order to determine if the abuse actually occurred. False allegations are even more difficult to resolve because young children can be misled into reporting events incorrectly. This results in the child truly believing the abuse took place.

With child sexual abuse allegations increasing, examinations need to be systematic and comprehensive. Factors to consider include the emotional condition of the child and the parents, the state of the family unit, the child’s behavior patterns and any motivation for false accusations. If you believe your child has been sexually abused, contact one of our specialists. We can help you get the answers and resolution you’re seeking.

When someone mentions forensic psychology, criminal profiling may be the first thing that comes to mind. Understanding a serial killer’s motives is unquestionably valuable, but a forensic psychologist or psychiatrist also plays a huge role in protecting the smallest and most vulnerable of our society. One way they do this is by evaluating the participants in child custody cases to determine what’s in the best interest of the children involved. With a skilled forensic specialist on the case, many children can be spared from serious risks that might not be obvious to the average person. If you’re the parent of a child, and you know your former spouse has a cleverly hidden addiction problem or violent tendencies, you may not be able to prove this in court. However, a forensic psychologist might see the signs clearly. Because of his or her high level of training and expertise, the courts will take the evaluation seriously.

How Do Forensic Psychologists Assist in Child Custody Cases?
If you and your former or estranged spouse can’t agree on legal or residential custody, or there has been an accusation or suspicion of abuse, mental illness or other serious problems that could adversely affect your child, a judge may order a forensic custody evaluation. During the process, the evaluator will interview you, your child and the other parent together and separately. Psychologists are specifically trained to detect behavior patterns associated with unhealthy relationships and potentially dangerous situations. Your child’s response to a simple question or a crayon drawing of his or her bedroom may not reveal much to a layperson, but to a forensic specialist, it might reveal elements of the past, present and future.

Detection Means Protection
The following are common problems that forensic psychologists may detect during a court-ordered child custody evaluation.

• Evidence of substance abuse such as alcoholism or drug addiction
• Physical abuse or neglect revealed by behavior patterns or other non-physical cues
• Psychological abuse, bullying or manipulative behaviors
• Irresponsible parenting or a lack of parenting skills or abilities
• Signs of mental illnesses such as clinical depression, schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder
• Identification of learning disabilities, autism, or other special needs in children

Forensics Keeps It Real
A forensic psychologist is required to present all evidence and test results objectively. Your evaluator will be neither for nor against you, but the findings often speak for themselves. A custody evaluation that tilts the odds in your favor isn’t a guarantee that you’ll win your case, but it can certainly be an influential factor. If not for skilled forensic psychologists, many children could end up in dangerous hands.

Your Prime Resource for Forensic Child Custody Evaluation
At Comprehensive Consultation Services, P.C., our qualified professionals have the experience, motivation and skill to ensure accurate results during your clinical child custody evaluation. We can objectively determine psychological health and functionality in children and adults of all ages, so your child’s best interests are protected. Contact us to learn more about our comprehensive custody evaluations and other diagnostic and treatment services. Come check out part two of this series.

The pain of divorce is often compounded by a difficult custody battle, and it’s sometimes necessary for forensic psychologists to perform careful evaluations of both parents and children to determine the safest and healthiest living and visiting arrangements. If you’re not familiar with the process, it can seem intimidating, but when you know what to expect, you can prepare. With a little knowledge and a calm approach, you may even be able to help ensure that a forensic psychology evaluation works in your child’s favor.

The Purpose of a Custody Evaluation
Custody evaluations are needed when a couple cannot agree on the legal or residential custody of their child. They’re also conducted when there’s suspicion of physical or mental abuse, mental health problems or substance abuse. An evaluation may be ordered by a judge or requested by another party. The procedure’s primary purpose is to help the court determine which outcome is in the child’s best interest. Relevant factors include parenting abilities, suitability of living environments, emotional connections and conflicts and your child’s behavioral reactions to the divorce. The preferences and wishes of an older, emotionally mature child are also considered.

What Happens During the Evaluation?
The evaluation process generally involves several meetings with you, the other parent, your child, and a psychiatrist or psychologist. Third parties such as your child’s pediatrician, counselor or childcare provider may also become involved. The evaluator will perform a series of tests and interviews to assess both obvious issues and subtle factors that could potentially affect your child’s well-being. These include evidence of serious psychological problems in either parent, signs of child abuse, unresolved conflicts and destructive behaviors. The evaluation also determines who is emotionally and psychologically closest to your child. You and your co-parent will be interviewed individually and with your child. Your child may also receive a private interview in which the psychologist will ask simple, non-threatening questions about home, school or family life. Your child may also be asked to draw pictures or demonstrate activities using toys. When you’re interviewed with your child, the evaluator will observe how you interact during conversations and everyday activities like playing and reading.

Make Friends with Forensic Psychology
Observing the following tips can help ensure a smooth evaluation process, and help you make a good impression.

• Heed your lawyer’s advice, and follow his or her directions.
• Always be honest. Mental health professionals are trained to spot lies. Never instruct your child to lie.
• Keep your appointments, and don’t be late.
• If an official or evaluator of any kind is coming to your home, be sure it’s clean and orderly.
• Try to remain reasonably calm and objective when talking about the other parent. Don’t confuse marital problems with parenting issues.
• Cooperate with your evaluator. Be sure to follow up on all instructions and suggestions you receive.

Comprehensive Consultation Services, P.C. Cares About Your Family
At Comprehensive Consultation Services, we understand how important getting an accurate custody evaluation is to the future mental health and well-being of your family. We offer careful and thorough psychological assessments to help determine the best possible outcomes for children facing their parents’ divorce or legal separation. Contact us for more details about our forensic services.

Almost 10 percent of the U.S. population currently suffers from some form of diabetes. If you have the illness, you’re probably acutely aware of what can happen when you don’t keep your blood sugar under control. Unfortunately, managing diabetes and preventing complications like kidney failure, blindness and diabetic neuropathy is easier said than done. Only about half of diabetic patients reach and maintain their A1C goals.

Beyond the Test Strip: Emotional and Mental Challenges of Diabetes
Keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range isn’t as simple as taking a pill or a shot every day. It’s a lifelong trial-and-error process. You must often juggle food intake, exercise and reactions to your medications on an hour-by-hour basis to maintain control. Managing diabetes can interfere with social events, travel, work and school. It requires knowledge, patience and persistence, and it can be frustrating and disheartening when it forces you to give up the foods you love or the freedoms you once had.

The challenges of dealing with diabetes can cause depression in people of any age. In fact, depression is twice as common in diabetics as in the general population. If you have a family history of the disease, and you’ve witnessed loved ones die or suffer serious complications, failing in your struggle to manage diabetes can be also terrifying and cause a great deal of stress and anxiety.

Can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Conquer the Lure of Cupcakes?
Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective and proven type of psychotherapy. It works by revealing thought patterns that lead to irrational fears, destructive behaviors, anxiety, depression and other mental or emotional problems and replacing them with positive alternatives; this approach encourages healthier reactions and enables coping mechanisms.

New evidence reveals that cognitive behavioral therapy may be useful in helping diabetes patients combat depression and manage their disease more effectively. One example is a recent study conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital involving 45 diabetic participants. The patients received nine to 12 weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy sessions in addition to standard diabetes counseling from dietitians and medical personnel. The results revealed that patients who received the additional therapy were more successful in adhering to their prescribed medical recommendations and glucose testing routines. They also had better overall glucose control; the effects were compared to the addition of a mild glucose-lowering medication.

We Can Help Struggling Diabetics Gain Control
Managing a chronic disease is difficult for anyone, but when the frustration leads to depression or apathy, maintaining control can seem impossible. At Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C., we offer diagnostic and treatment services including cognitive behavioral therapy to help you cope with the challenges of managing a chronic illness and the depression that may accompany it. Contact us today to book an appointment.

When adults experience the strain of a stressful situation, most are able to use that pressure as motivation to solve any problems. For children and young teenagers, this isn’t always possible. The younger generation has to climb heaps of day-to-day challenges at school which often leads to stress overload. If a child or teen can no longer cope, he or she can develop serious health issues.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For
Because many young people hide their feelings as if they’re protecting buried treasure, you may be unaware that your son or daughter is distressed. This is why it’s important to tune into the behavioral or physical cues associated with school-related stress. Once you recognize the signs, you can provide support and guidance to help your child work through the difficulties.

A school-age child experiencing stress may show subtle or obvious physical symptoms. The most common indications include frequent headaches, stomachaches and muscle pain. Stress can also cause restlessness, fatigue or eating disorders. A more inconspicuous and serious sign that your child is feeling crushed under the fist of stress is cutting or any other form of self-injury.

Other red flags to look for include:

• Irritability or angry outbursts
• Expressions of fear or hopelessness
• Lack of focus
• Sadness or moodiness
• Social withdrawal
• Clinginess to parents
• Alcohol, drug or tobacco use

Possible Long-term Effects of Stress
High-pressure conditions don’t just create short-term health problems for students. Persistent stress can have a major impact on the long-term wellness of your child. When the brain detects a stress factor, hormones are released and physical reactions are triggered. As a result, the body’s normal processes become disrupted, which can raise the risk of developing chronic illnesses.

Children and teenagers who are continually overwhelmed by school stresses may have an increased risk of heart disease. Stress elevates the blood pressure as well, and chronic cases can cause long-lasting hypertension. Prolonged stress can also lead to unhealthy weight gain, constant muscular pain, anxiety disorders, digestive issues, severe depression and concentration impairments.

Seeking Professional Help
School-associated demands can turn even the most sweet-natured child into a stranger. If you send your Dr. Jekyll off to school and Mr. Hyde returns home at the end of the day, it may be time to contact an expert. A professional evaluation will determine if your child’s stresses are likely to create long-term health issues. Physicians and psychologists can provide coping strategies for the child as well.

In addition to seeking advice from an authority, there are many other ways to help your teenager or young child manage the stresses of a school environment. Students of all ages worry about meeting high expectations, and this concern can be manifested in emotional or physical disorders. By observing behaviors and paying attention to warning signs, you may be able to prevent unnecessary health problems for your child in the future.

Bipolar disorder is a complex disease with a long list of symptoms. You probably already know that bipolar disorder can cause mood swings and rapid changes in energy. Do you know that bipolar disorder symptoms can include substance abuse or increased sex drive? We will list some of the most frequently missed bipolar symptoms.

Substance and Drug Abuse
Bipolar symptoms can include abusing substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, or even illegal drugs. Drug addiction can be its own disease, but you might not know that substance abuse can be a symptom of other diseases such as bipolar disorder. Someone with bipolar disorder might drink wine to calm down. During a manic period they might abuse Ritalin to stay up. They might even use a prescription anxiety medication like Valium to self-medicate during a manic period.

Relationship Issues
Problems in family life or issues with a friend or spouse don’t seem like signs of a serious illness on the surface. But people with bipolar disorder can struggle with their interactions with other people. For example, say you have bipolar disorder and you snap at a friend who asks you how work was. You become argumentative and pick fights with your brother. You forget about a dinner date with your spouse even though they claim they’ve been talking about it for a week.

Poor Performance in Work and School
Receiving bad grades in school or getting a bad review at work can be a sign of many different illnesses or even be a sign of stress. You might think bad grades in school indicate ADD, but this can also be a symptom of bipolar. You just can’t seem to concentrate because your mind jumps from one topic to the next. You feel great and don’t want to waste energy on some lousy work project. You received a bad grade on a test. You’re hopeless. You’re stupid. Why study? These examples can all indicate bipolar disorder.

Increased Drive to Achieve Goals
This symptom is definitely one of the most frequently missed bipolar symptoms. What’s wrong with ambition? You certainly wouldn’t think someone had a serious disease if they worked hard to strive for their goals. But if the ambition seems to come and go, and if the effort has a negative impact on yours or a loved one’s life, this could be a problem. For example, you stay up all night for several days to finish a project that will get you a promotion. You spend less time with family because you work overtime. After a couple months your boss raves about your performance and will consider you for the promotion. Yet, you suddenly lose energy and motivation.

Increased Sex Drive
Your spouse wants sex all the time. You know that decreased sex drive can be a symptom of mental illnesses. Did you know that increased sex drive is a sign of bipolar? For example, you can’t stop thinking about sex so you masturbate in a public place. You might cheat on your spouse. Your spouse snaps and claims that all you think about is sex.

These are all little known bipolar disorder symptoms. Call us today if you want to setup a free consultation.

Social anxiety disorder is becoming more common to find amongst our human population. It is easy to get worked up in situations that come up on a daily basis. Interviews, work meetings, birthday parties, social gatherings…it is even possible to feel anxiety when you know the people you are with and are in a setting that is familiar to you. How do you cope with anxiety? For each person it can be different. Finding what is right for you can take some time but will eventually pay off by helping to ease your nerves in any situation.

1. Reaching out to people you feel comfortable with may help in certain situations. You can talk through your fears and they can be there to help ease the unknown. Having a person of trust present as someone to lean on can take your mind in a different direction from where it could be if you were alone. Don’t be scared to contact a therapist if you feel what’s going on in your life is just too much to handle.

2. If having a close friend around to talk to and go out with is not a suitable option, joining a local (or internet-based) support group will help. There are a few types of support groups that can be of use. People with similar anxiety issues may help to reflect and share common feelings thus alleviating the thought of being alone in your feelings and actions. Together, you can come up with solutions to work through your problems and also make new friends to work together in doing so. Public speaking groups may also help with easing anxiety. It is an intense job to have attention on oneself in front of one or two people, and incredibly intense in front of an entire room. If this class can help to conquer a larger fear, it may be the key to getting through smaller everyday situations. If you want to get through your anxiety set your goals high and stick with your decisions.

3. When feeling anxious, bringing your mind to a new realm helps to calm your body down. If there is an event or activity that is on your mind constantly, try running, biking or going to an exercise class. Exerting your energy in a different direction will take the focus off of your current worries and direct them into a new one. Consider creating goals within your workout. Set your mind to work hard to achieve these and leave your anxiety behind. If exercise isn’t your thing, try a hobby. Either one that inspires you or a new one of interest.

4 & 5. Sleep is imperative, as is a healthy diet. Both of these contribute to a better self-being. When lacking in either of these areas our brain is not at its best and can more easily be brought to a state of mind that you are trying to avoid. Keeping your body in a healthy state all around is always a positive solution for any situation.

All of these methods can help prevent and control anxiety symptoms. The mind is a powerful instrument and it is best to remind yourself that your anxiety is short-lived and can be overcome. Most of the ideas that we worry about are rarely cases that come into play and can be avoided if we focus on positive attributes of the situation and breathe.

Due to a multitude of hit tv dramas, including Criminal Minds and CSI, forensic psychology has become well known to the public as an exciting and psychic ability for some to have. These tv dramas portray extreme personalities and behavioral habits that can be misconstrued when dealing with real life. The perspective that most of the dramas place individuals in (both the psychologists and the offenders) are maximized in emotions, evidence and behaviors.

A true forensic psychologist is an individual who applies clinical skills towards legal institutions and/or people who come into contact with the law. Any individual who comes in contact with the law can be treated and questioned by a forensic psychologist.

Although investigative psychology began in the mid 1980’s, forensic psychology is a relatively new field of study and there are still many attributes to be defined. A lot of the studies have to do with the individual’s mind and behavior, which scientifically result in pockets of research that need strengthening. Important skills like clinical assessment, interviewing, report writing, strong verbal communication skills and case presentation are the foundation to the practice. Like many other psychologists, it involves research studies, assessments, consultations and the design and implementation of treatment programs. Because forensic psychology deals with the law it also requires investigations and expert witness courtroom testimonies.

The field of study for forensic psychologists can be trying. In order to secure a job in this field one must have a PhD or a PsyD degree from an APA accredited or Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) accredited doctoral program. Along with a PhD or PsyD degree, an individual must secure one year of an APA or CPA accredited predoctoral internship and an equivalent of two years of sequential, supervised professional experience overall. Some schools offer a Masters in this area but it is not always validated when trying to find a spot in this job market.

The reason for such high studies and experience are due to the job requirements. Forensic psychologists assist in a wide variety of legal matters including the mental state of criminal defendants (insanity, competency, etc.), jury selection, child custody/family law, violence risk prediction, mediation/dispute resolution, discrimination, civil damages, social science research (e.g., recovered memory), and civil commitment. All of these matters have a large impact on multiple lives and society. If an individual is deemed “insane” they may not be held responsible for a serious crime they may have committed. Each state has their own requirements towards an act such as this, but it is the forensic psychologist’s job to determine his or her mental state at the time of the crime (not how the person is functioning at the present moment). A plethora of research and information during and after the crime is needed to determine these results.

While forensic psychology pulls from other law and psychological practices, it continues to have a rare body of research that addresses questions and issues that no other area of psychology explores with an ingenious approach.

Sometimes we overlook the simple physical signs of depression because we are so involved with the emotional aspects of it. The emotional pieces of depression actually have a lot to do with how physical symptoms generate. Let’s take a dive into physical attributes surrounding a depressive state of mind but if you really think you need to talk to someone right away, please seek help from a qualified psychologist like Dr. Sanam Hafeez.

All of the symptoms we will touch upon may seem relatively normal in a person’s everyday life, which is why people tend to not seek out help. When signs of these symptoms seem to intensify or become more frequent it is probably a good idea to see someone about them. Even if they don’t intensify, if you are feeling like you have multiple physical symptoms reach out to someone for help.

Headaches. These are one of the most common physical signs of depression. For people with migraines this may seem almost impossible to depict as a result of depression but remember, if they seem intensified or more frequent, it could just be your body telling you that something is not right.

Digestive Issues. This can go one of two ways. If you find yourself dealing with constipation or diarrhea this could be another physical symptom. If it has not escalated this far but you are still feeling queasiness in your stomach, that can also be a strong signal to get yourself checked out.

Sleeping problems. People with depression sometimes find it harder to fall asleep or sleep for long periods of time. Others tend to sleep extensively.

Exhaustion and/or fatigue. Constantly feeling tired even after a long good night’s sleep? Having trouble getting out of bed on a regular basis after a long night of sleep? Both are signs of depression. Your bed is a comfortable, secure place where you do not have to deal with the outside world or even think about it. Fatigue can also be caused by diet, which leads us to our next physical symptom.

Change in appetite or weight. This is another symptom that can go either way. Some people who are depressed find it hard to eat or even find food appetizing and begin to lose weight. Others find comfort in food, especially carbohydrates, and begin to excessively eat leading to weight gain.

Lightheadedness. There will be moments in the day where you can feel unstable or dizzy.

Muscle Aches. If you already endure any kind of joint pain or muscle aches they will most likely intensify.

Chest Pain. Whether you have depression or not having chest pain or tightness in your chest can be a sign of heart, stomach or lung problems. Don’t wait to call a doctor on this one, do it immediately.

Because these symptoms can be so common in our everyday lives it is important to make sure you explain to your doctor how they are affecting your lifestyle. Be persistent about your need for energy and the ability to feel good. If you are not, some doctors may overlook your situation and then you are right back where you started.

Depression is caused by a change in nerve cells that interrupt the way your brain processes emotional information. Because of this your body tends to feel pain differently, which is why many of these physical symptoms are brought to surface. By easing this pain a doctor may be able to also ease your depression through prescribing medications. Medications will help to balance out the change in nerve cells and help to regulate your emotional being.