Dementia Therapists in 14226
Life is filled with challenges, both the unexpected and recurring. At times it can be difficult to manage on our own. One of the bravest decisions we can make is to reach out and ask for help. If you are currently struggling with your mental health, or a chronic health condition, finding ways to safely express and identify complex emotions is crucial to increasing self awareness, healing and making decisions for your own wellbeing. As a NYS Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and Board Certified Music Therapist for 25 years, I specialize in treating adults 18+ with challenging life transitions, chronic illness, stress and anxiety.
Life is filled with challenges, both the unexpected and recurring. At times it can be difficult to manage on our own. One of the bravest decisions we can make is to reach out and ask for help. If you are currently struggling with your mental health, or a chronic health condition, finding ways to safely express and identify complex emotions is crucial to increasing self awareness, healing and making decisions for your own wellbeing. As a NYS Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and Board Certified Music Therapist for 25 years, I specialize in treating adults 18+ with challenging life transitions, chronic illness, stress and anxiety.
Welcome! If you are struggling with low mood, tension, negative thoughts, self-doubt, and overthinking you have come to the right place. Dealing with today’s pressures and pace can be overwhelming. Issues of self-image and confidence crop up. Comparisons and depression can develop too. Role changes, loss, and relationship issues compound the development of our mental load. Working with the right person to uncover mental blocks, increase positive thinking patterns, and focus on what matters most to you can make a real difference in your psychological well-being.
Welcome! If you are struggling with low mood, tension, negative thoughts, self-doubt, and overthinking you have come to the right place. Dealing with today’s pressures and pace can be overwhelming. Issues of self-image and confidence crop up. Comparisons and depression can develop too. Role changes, loss, and relationship issues compound the development of our mental load. Working with the right person to uncover mental blocks, increase positive thinking patterns, and focus on what matters most to you can make a real difference in your psychological well-being.
In 1977 I earned my Ph.D. in psychology from Indiana university, located in Bloomington Indiana. In addition, I am a licensed psychologist in New York state. I have been practicing for over 45 years treating children, adolescents and adults.
In 1977 I earned my Ph.D. in psychology from Indiana university, located in Bloomington Indiana. In addition, I am a licensed psychologist in New York state. I have been practicing for over 45 years treating children, adolescents and adults.
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Dementia Therapists
Can dementia patients benefit from counseling?
Dementia patients can often benefit significantly from counseling. While neurologists typically treat dementia itself, counselors provide crucial emotional support for patients and their families. Therapists specializing in dementia can help clients navigate aging, end-of-life issues, social isolation, sleep challenges, and grief. They can also assist clients in adapting to the disease by addressing caregiving concerns and supporting family members. Counselors will often also collaborate with a patient's neurologist or other medical providers to manage dementia symptoms and medication needs.
How can you tell if someone has dementia or Alzheimer's?
To determine if someone has dementia or Alzheimer's disease, there are several signs and diagnostic methods that medical professionals use. Early signs of dementia often include memory loss, difficulty with problem-solving, and challenges in completing familiar tasks. Diagnosing dementia or Alzheimer's requires a comprehensive approach, as there is no single definitive test, and initial diagnosis can sometimes be difficult as symptoms tend to worsen progressively over time. To make a diagnosis, medical professionals typically use a combination of methods, including standardized questionnaires and cognitive tests to assess memory, attention, and problem-solving skills, psychiatric evaluations to understand mental health status, brain scans to look for physical changes in the brain, as well as other medical tests to rule out other conditions.
What are the first-line treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease?
There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but catching the disease in its early-to-moderate phases can be beneficial in order to initiate first-line treatments to help manage symptoms. Medications such as galantamine, rivastigmine, and donepezil are examples of cholinesterase inhibitors that are commonly prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, working with a therapist or social worker can also often help patients with the disease address common behavioral and lifestyle concerns, such as anxiety, depression, irritability, sleep problems, social support, and housing changes.
When to seek treatment for Alzheimer’s?
It’s best to seek treatment at the first signs of Alzheimer's. Early warning signs of Alzheimer’s include memory problems, such as forgetting appointments or directions, as well as trouble concentrating, paying attention, retrieving words, and carrying out daily household tasks. An early diagnosis can help people slow the progression of the disease with medication and plan for the future in terms of housing, social/caregiving support, and finances.