Christine Lenox LCPC
Anxiety
Most of us experience some manageable levels of anxiety while living our day-to-day lives. However, if these anxious symptoms take over it can become unbearable. Using concepts of self-talk, mindfulness, muscle relaxation techniques, and/or medication options, we can find ways to better manage and cope with anxiety.
Depression
Depression affects millions of people worldwide and can range in symptoms from mild to debilitating. While assessing your symptoms, we will create a treatment plan incorporating themes of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and discuss possible medication management if needed. We will also differentiate between Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder I or II, which causes dramatic highs and lows in one's mood and energy levels. Together, we will work to find techniques and practices specific to you that can help you live a happier life.
Relationships
A healthy and communicative emotional connection in any relationship is a constant work in progress. By exploring how you and your partner navigate conflict resolution, we can create a 'road map' of how to listen, respond and better understand each other. We will also explore and process how to avoid the often toxic trappings of codependency in your relationship
Postpartum
Bringing a new life into this world can be one of the most rewarding yet challenging times of our lives. By defining and differentiating between the 'Baby Blues', Postpartum Depression, and Postpartum Psychosis, we can create a treatment plan to relieve your specific symptoms. If needed, we will also discuss the means to get any additional outside services that you may need.
Pregnancy and Infertility
Emotionally managing and accepting a lost pregnancy or difficulties in becoming pregnant, can be a lonely and isolating experience. The process is a grieving loss not about your past, but about your future. We will explore your individual situation and provide a safe place to share your story, discussing coping mechanisms along the way.
Menopause
The years leading up to menopause and the transition itself can bring changes not only to your body but also your mental health. Whether through natural life span or surgery, the shift in female hormones can impact your day-to-day life and interactions with others. We will discuss specific techniques and coping skills to help navigate successfully through this time.
Sexual Well-Being
As human beings our sexuality is an important aspect of a healthy life. If this is an area of your life that you'd like to change, we can explore areas of concern, and address questions or problems you might be experiencing that are preventing you from enjoying a satisfying sexual experience. We can also discuss referrals to other types of interventions and recommendations of therapy that are more suited to personal office visits.
Trauma
An event that has left you feeling overwhelmed, helpless, or fearful for your own safety can result in the paralyzing symptoms of trauma. We will discuss what happens to your brain and nervous system as you attempt to process the trauma and explore the many options to relieve your psychological pain.
Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, can occur along side of other disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and drug and alcohol use. By assessing your symptoms and your individual story, treatment planning will include general medical care as well as nutritional management and individual counseling. Together, we will create a comprehensive approach that works for you.
Addiction
Addiction is a complex condition, a brain disease that manifests as repeated compulsion of behaviors despite the physical and psychological harm that occurs as a result. Many people with addictive disorders may be aware of their problems but are unable to stop the behaviors. We can discuss ways to end the cycle that include possible medication management and incorporating both individual and group therapy.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
An obsession is usually an unwanted intrusive thought. A compulsion is a behavior designed to reduce or avoid the discomfort that comes from the obsessive thought. By combining concepts of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and/or medication, you will be better able to identify and challenge those cognitive distortions. Doing so allows you to change and overcome these disruptive thoughts and behaviors.
Gender and Sexuality
Sexuality is felt from an early age as an instinctual curiosity about our attractions, urges, and fantasies. Too often, rather than welcoming these early thoughts with acceptance and excitement, we feel ashamed and misunderstood by our family and friends. We will work towards dispelling the personal misconceptions of shame that shape how we feel about our sexuality. We will also process how our gender may not necessarily be limited to the binary system we were born into.
Mindfulness
All too often we re-play old negative 'tapes' in our head and engage in self-talking messages which are incorrect and prevent us from being at peace. We will discuss ways to augment those old incorrect 'tapes' and self-defeating concepts, converting those thoughts into more productive and positive ways of thinking about ourselves. As we 'practice' these new ways of thinking, we must constantly be mindful as to avoid slipping back into the self-defeating patterns from our past.
Grief And Loss
Grief, loss, and readjustment to a crisis, can cause you to feel off-balance and shattered. This is the natural emotional response to the loss of a cherished idea, person or thing. The yearning for what once was or could have been disrupts our feelings of security and perspective towards our life. We will discuss the cycles of grief and loss, how to navigate the waves that encircle us and find a new balance and new 'normal' in your life.
Anger Managment
Feeling angry is a normal response that occurs in our emotional life cycle just as happiness, sadness, or love. But, when our anger takes control and becomes unmanageable this can severely disrupt our lives and those around us. By identifying triggers and cues that make us angry and by examining how our mind and body responds, we will explore both the unhealthy and healthy ways we express anger. We can discuss techniques and coping skills which will help you utilize your ability to better manage those moments when you feel your anger taking control.