Online Therapy
Mental health services and counseling that are provided via the internet or phone rather than in person
Within the online therapy service we treat different problems and diagnoses
Depression
Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at home.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, depression affects an estimated one in 15 adults (6.7%) in any given year; and one in six people (16.6%) will experience depression at some time in their life. Most common symptoms of depression are:
- Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Loss of energy or increased fatigue
- Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing, handwringing) or slowed movements or speech (these actions must be severe enough to be observable by others)
- Feeling worthless or guilty
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide.
Treatment
Upon completing the initial 90 minute assessment, Jorge will provide you with a number of treatment options. Depending on your specific needs, commitment levels and budget, Jorge will work with you to create a collaborative plan of action. Jorge has specialized training in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and EMDR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing). Common CBT techniques used for depression include cognitive restructuring, thought journaling, and mindful meditation. Many of these techniques are used together to show the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Make an appointment now!
Addictions
We live in a stressful world and sometimes we try to manage our stress by consuming alcohol, tobacco, caffeine or cannabis. In some extreme cases, some people mange their sadness, grief or loss by engaging in excessive pornography, shopping or gaming. According to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association, the criteria for substance use disorders and behavioral addictions include:
- Consuming the substance in larger amounts and for a longer amount of time than intended.
- Persistent desire to cut down or regulate use. The individual may have unsuccessfully attempted to stop in the past.
- Spending a great deal of time obtaining, using, or recovering from the effects of substance use.
- Experiencing craving, a pressing desire to use the substance.
- Substance use impairs ability to fulfill major obligations at work, school, or home.
- Continued use of the substance despite it causing significant social or interpersonal problems.
- Reduction or discontinuation of recreational, social, or occupational activities because of substance use.
- Recurrent substance use in physically unsafe environments.
- Persistent substance use despite knowledge that it may cause or exacerbate physical or psychological problems.
Treatment
Upon completing the initial 90 minute assessment, Jorge will provide you with a number of treatment options. Depending on your specific needs, commitment levels, and budget, Jorge will work with you to create a collaborative plan of action. Jorge has specialized training in effective therapies such MI (Motivational Interviewing), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Remember that “This too shall pass” means that neither the bad, nor good, moments in life last indefinitely.
Anxiety
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, often known as the “DSM,” is a reference book on mental health and brain-related conditions and disorders. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is responsible for the writing, editing, reviewing and publishing of this book. Mental health professionals in North America generally use this classification when assessing for and treating mental disorders. The DSM-5 is the latest version, and it describes some of these conditions:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is much more than the typical anxiety that most people face in their daily life. GAD can be defined as an anxiety disorder that is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable and often irrational worry that is out of proportion than what might be expected in a given situation; that is, GAD is a worry that people have about events or activities.
Social anxiety disorder is an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others. This fear can affect work, school, and other daily activities. It can even make it hard to make and keep friends. The good news is social anxiety disorder is treatable.
Agoraphobia involves fearing and avoiding places or situations that might cause panic and feelings of being trapped, helpless or embarrassed. You may fear an actual or upcoming situation. For example, you may fear using public transportation, being in open or enclosed spaces, standing in line, or being in a crowd.
Specific Phobia involves Marked fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation (e.g., flying, heights, animals, receiving an injection, seeing blood, etc). The fear, anxiety, or avoidance is persistent, typically lasting for 6 months or more. The fear, anxiety, or avoidance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Amaxophobia: extreme and debilitating fear or avoidance of driving or riding as a passenger in moving vehicle.
Treatment
Upon completing the initial 90 minute assessment, Jorge will provide you with a number of treatment options. Depending on your specific needs, commitment levels and budget, Jorge will work with you to create a collaborative plan of action. Jorge has specialized training in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
There are a number of treatment interventions that Jorge uses that are considered best practice and evidenced based interventions. One of them is prolonged exposure with the use of VRET (Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy). Additionally, Jorge is trained in CBT and EMDR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) as effective therapy modalities to help decrease the symptoms of anxiety in multiple life domains. You will be supported each step of the way, as Jorge and you will develop an individual treatment program based on your specific needs, budget and motivation levels. Make an appointment now.
