Bipolar Disorder Therapists in 93150
Irina Dashevsky-Kerdman
Psychologist, PhD, BCN
Verified Verified
Santa Barbara, CA 93150
In my practice I blend together the art and science of psychotherapy with a strong focus on global change. My intention is to help you thrive. I use a comprehensive approach with a strong mind-body focus and integrate psychoanalysis with neuroscience. This helps to interpret properly and work more efficiently toward transforming maladaptive mechanisms that stifle your life. Often I use Neurofeedback, Biofeedback, and Photobiomodulation and work directly and noninvasively with the brain and the nervous system. This helps you self-regulate and embody change quicker, with less distress. In most cases the results are permanent.
In my practice I blend together the art and science of psychotherapy with a strong focus on global change. My intention is to help you thrive. I use a comprehensive approach with a strong mind-body focus and integrate psychoanalysis with neuroscience. This helps to interpret properly and work more efficiently toward transforming maladaptive mechanisms that stifle your life. Often I use Neurofeedback, Biofeedback, and Photobiomodulation and work directly and noninvasively with the brain and the nervous system. This helps you self-regulate and embody change quicker, with less distress. In most cases the results are permanent.
Vonda Schaefer
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT, HolNut
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Santa Barbara, CA 93150
By combining Nutrition/Neurotransmitter balancing with Psychotherapy my approach is a perfect combination for those struggling with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, weight loss, substance abuse and ADD. Supporting brain chemistry while doing therapy makes therapy a solution rather than a band-aid. I use an integrative approach with clients rather than a tunnel-vision approach. If our body and brain are not healthy, our relationships cannot be either.
By combining Nutrition/Neurotransmitter balancing with Psychotherapy my approach is a perfect combination for those struggling with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, weight loss, substance abuse and ADD. Supporting brain chemistry while doing therapy makes therapy a solution rather than a band-aid. I use an integrative approach with clients rather than a tunnel-vision approach. If our body and brain are not healthy, our relationships cannot be either.
Alix Robinson
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Montecito, CA 93150
Feeling stuck? It's amazing the difference a therapeutic hour can make. I understand that it takes courage to make the decision to start therapy and I consider it an honor to help you take that first step. My approach to therapy is scientifically informed while still responsive to your unique needs. I believe that there is no problem greater than your capacity and I want to help you find solutions to become the best version of yourself.
Feeling stuck? It's amazing the difference a therapeutic hour can make. I understand that it takes courage to make the decision to start therapy and I consider it an honor to help you take that first step. My approach to therapy is scientifically informed while still responsive to your unique needs. I believe that there is no problem greater than your capacity and I want to help you find solutions to become the best version of yourself.
Albert Corrieri
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, APCC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Montecito, CA 93150
In my work with teens and adults, I prioritize understanding individuals' personalities over pathologizing them. I view people as complex beings who have developed adaptive strategies throughout their lives. While these strategies may have served them well in the past, they may no longer be beneficial. My treatment approach involves fostering self-discovery, curiosity, and creativity to explore and address underlying issues. By creating a safe and nurturing space, I encourage clients to explore their experiences and emotions, gaining insight into the roots of their challenges.
In my work with teens and adults, I prioritize understanding individuals' personalities over pathologizing them. I view people as complex beings who have developed adaptive strategies throughout their lives. While these strategies may have served them well in the past, they may no longer be beneficial. My treatment approach involves fostering self-discovery, curiosity, and creativity to explore and address underlying issues. By creating a safe and nurturing space, I encourage clients to explore their experiences and emotions, gaining insight into the roots of their challenges.
Bipolar Disorder Therapists
What is the most successful approach to treating bipolar disorder?
Living with bipolar disorder can be challenging, and a number of therapies have been found effective in providing support to patients as they gain the skills to understand and manage the disorder. Family-focused therapy is often helpful for children and teens (the majority of cases develop before age 19); it aims to minimize mood cycling by improving family communication and reducing conflict. It also helps young people navigate the developmental challenges the disorder can create. Cognitive and behavioral therapy (CBT) and variants such as Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)help patients manage the thoughts and feelings that influence bipolar mood swings as well as develop specific behavioral strategies to counteract them.
What happens in therapy for bipolar disorder?
Because the patterns of mood switching and its triggers differ for each person and can change over time, mood tracking or monitoring becomes a basic way patients learn about the nature of their condition. One of the most common features of therapy is finding a workable method of mood monitoring, in which patients track their daily activities and rate their moods, then use the findings to adjust routines accordingly. Patients learn ways of handling the many stresses that arise in life so that they do not trigger mood swings.
What kinds of problems does therapy help with?
Like many other mental health disorders, BPD is heavily influenced by stress; therapy provides skills for coping with stressors of all kinds. Therapy is extremely important for helping individuals identify the situations that may trigger mood switching, so that mood swings can be prevented. Therapy may especially target recognition of the early stages of mood change so that they can be managed. In addition, therapy helps patients deal with the significant amount of turbulence the disorder can create in relationships and in work life.
What is the goal of therapy for bipolar disorder?
Therapy helps patients set up their lives to maintain stability so that their mood isn’t constantly threatened by daily events. Perhaps the first task of therapy is to educate people about the nature of the disorder. At the same time, a primary goal of therapy is to enhance adherence to drug treatment. Extended periods of mood stability can prompt patients to discontinue medication, triggering relapse, while the early phases of manic episodes can feel so energizing that patients stop medication, ushering in full-blown mania and the altered self-perception that can lead to destructive behaviors. Another major goal of therapy is to understand one’s mood patterns so as to minimize both the frequency and intensity of mood cycling.