About Therapy by Dr. Beverly Pedroche

Sober And Still Unhappy You admitted that you have a problem, that you were powerless and all that jazz. You survived the physical detox process that, by the way, was not a mere "7 to 10 days." You're feeling like a crazy person. You're not exactly sure what serenity feels like, but this definitely is not it. Your emotions are all over the place. You can't cope with the slightest discomfort. Everything is stressing you out. Reading this article is stressing you out and you're ready for me to just get to the point, right? So, What Exactly Is Wrong With You? Dual Diagnosis...Maybe... When an individual suffers from both addiction and a mental disorder (such as depression or anxiety), it is called a dual diagnosis. The risk of relapse is high for those who are dually diagnosed unless the individual seeks treatment for both the substance abuse and the mental illness. According to Oltmanns and Emery (2007), approximately 40% of people with alcoholism hav...

Reasons NOT to Use Your Insurance for Psychotherapy So, you're interested in getting some therapy and you have insurance. Perhaps you've even selected a therapist. What else is there to think about other than scheduling, right? Well, keep reading... A Psychologists' Perspective I believe that they duration of treatment (number of sessions), what is addressed in treatment, and the type of treatment provided should not be dictated by your insurance company (people who have never met you and may not even be medical professionals). These decisions should be made jointly by you and your therapist. Unfortunately, insurance can become a hindrance to obtaining effective, specialized mental health treatment. A Clients' Perspective As the recipient of therapy, here are just some of the reasons to consider not using your insurance for therapy: Control of Treatment You may choose the professional who you believe is the most competent to treat you. If you use your ...

Yet Another Blog Post about Gratitude (Read this One) It’s that time of year where every other blog post is about gratitude.  ‘Tis the season, right?  According to David Steindl-Rast, a Catholic Benedictine monk, scholar, and author, who has inspired generations with his inspirational messages about finding gratitude in every moment of life, "The root of joy is gratefulness."  Well, who doesn't want joy?  But how does one do about becoming more grateful? The Stack of Blank Gratitude Journals Most people have heard of a gratitude journal.  Oprah kept one daily for a decade and recommended that we all follow suit.  But if you can barely remember or find time to brush your teeth before bedtime, you may find it hard to consistently keep a gratitude journal.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great idea with many benefits. I have a collection of lovely journals including several attractive ones with motivational quotes on the cover that I just had to h...

‘Tis The Season To Be…Stressed! 5 Tips for Coping with Holiday Stress If buying the perfect gift that’s likely out of your budget, baking an exquisite dessert that can could compete with those made by Martha Stewart, attending drunk Uncle’s holiday party, decorating your home to look like a photo straight out of Town and Country magazine, all while managing your usual daily responsibilities leaves you feeling overwhelmed, you aren’t alone.  Stress, anxiety, and depression can crush your holiday spirit and be detrimental to your physical and mental health.  Here are some practical tips to help you fend off the holiday blues:  1. Just Say No.  I recently heard a quote that is my new favorite:  By saying yes to one thing, you’re saying no to something else.  I tried to find the original author, but it appears that many people are taking credit for this brilliant thought.  By agreeing to participate in a 3 rd Secret Santa, are you taking an h...

What is Psychotherapy? Good news!  You don’t have to lie on a couch and blame your mother for all life’s problems. Psychotherapy is the process of meeting with a therapist, if it’s with me – a psychologist, to resolve problematic issues through talk-therapy. Through therapy, you will gain improved understanding of your own thoughts, feelings and behaviors, learn skills to cope with your difficulties, and obtain guidance.  It’s different from just talking to a friend because therapists are trained to utilize scientifically validated techniques to help you live a healthier and more content life.  It’s an interactive process and depending on the therapists’ orientation (a fancy term for the way the therapist understands and treats your problems), both you and the therapist will be talking to some extent.  For many people, just having a place to share their feelings openly, without fear of judgment, is helpful.  What To Expect in a Psychotherapy Sess...