Therapists in 35212
David James Palaia
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, NCC, CPT
Verified Verified
Birmingham, AL 35212
Most people come to therapy knowing that they have something they would like to address. It is my job to help you develop new ways of thinking and being, so that you can get beyond whatever is holding you back in your life. I use an integrative, wholistic approach which draws on the many disciplines in which I have training. Whether you enter therapy wanting to deal with anxiety, past trauma, or addiction, or you just want to function better in daily life, together we can work to meet your goals.
Most people come to therapy knowing that they have something they would like to address. It is my job to help you develop new ways of thinking and being, so that you can get beyond whatever is holding you back in your life. I use an integrative, wholistic approach which draws on the many disciplines in which I have training. Whether you enter therapy wanting to deal with anxiety, past trauma, or addiction, or you just want to function better in daily life, together we can work to meet your goals.
Encounter Therapy LLC
Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified Verified
Birmingham, AL 35212
I am a down-to-earth, multi-racial/cultural psychotherapist who genuinely cares. I have a deep passion to see women living into their full potential through finding, growing, and utilizing their own minds and voices that will enable them to walk toward healing growth and change. I share my passion from my own personal therapeutic journey that led me to my own beautiful mind and voice. I am excited about the possibility of being a part of your journey toward healing, growth, and change. We are in this together!
I am a down-to-earth, multi-racial/cultural psychotherapist who genuinely cares. I have a deep passion to see women living into their full potential through finding, growing, and utilizing their own minds and voices that will enable them to walk toward healing growth and change. I share my passion from my own personal therapeutic journey that led me to my own beautiful mind and voice. I am excited about the possibility of being a part of your journey toward healing, growth, and change. We are in this together!
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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.