FAQ

This is one of the most frequently asked questions in the mental health field. A psychiatrist has a medical degree with specialized training in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Most psychiatrists rely on the use of medications to reduce symptoms associated with a variety of psychiatric disorders, such as serious anxiety or depression, and may only see clients every few weeks to monitor the effectiveness of the medication. A clinical psychologist, on the other hand, has an advanced degree (typically a Master’s degree or Ph.D.) and many years of training in the treatment of psychiatric conditions through a variety of techniques that do not involve medication. This type of treatment is often referred to as “talk therapy” because it relies on techniques other than medication. Therapy sessions typically take place over a period of several weeks or months, depending on the duration and severity of the presenting problem. Psychologists and psychiatrists often work together to coordinate care for the same client when both medication and talk therapy are determined to be the most effective treatment.

For your convenience, we have a psychiatrist, Dr. Robert Burnstein M.D., on our staff who can meet with you to discuss your need for medication and answer any questions you may have. To make an appointment with Dr. Burnstein, please call the main office number (586) 997-3153.

Confidentiality is the cornerstone of psychotherapy. The responsibility to protect confidentiality is taken very seriously. State laws and professional ethics recognize the importance of the privileged nature of confidential communication between a client and a therapist. The only kind of information exempt from confidentiality laws involves the threat of harm to yourself or toward another person, a well as disclosure of child or elder abuse. No information will be share with another agency or individual without your written permission.

A wide variety of clinical techniques may be considered depending on the symptoms that have caused you to seek therapy. The type of treatment you receive is based upon the results of an initial evaluation and a collaborative agreement between you and your therapist regarding your specific treatment goals. Treatment plans are tailor-made for each individual and may include techniques such as behavior modification, cognitive restructuring, relaxation training, hypnotherapy, problem solving approaches, insight-inducing strategies, or a combination of one or more techniques.

You’re in charge. Therapy won’t work unless you feel completely safe and comfortable. Successful therapy depends on the relationship of mutual trust and respect that forms between the therapist and the client. If you do not feel comfortable with your therapist, you have every right to ask to see someone else.

Everyone’s experience in therapy is unique. The amount of time required for therapy usually depends on the severity of the problem, length of time since the problem began, and the individual’s coping style. Many people find that their problems are resolved within a period of weeks or months with therapy, but for others the process is much longer. Most of us would like to find a quick fix for our problems, and that’s understandable. However, some clients find that long-term therapy resolves complex problems and prevents them having to return to therapy each time they face a new crisis.

Many people are depressed and don’t even realize it. We all experience periods of sadness or down days. However, if symptoms persist and interfere with work and/or relationships, this may be a sign that professional help is needed.

You may want to consult with your physician or someone on our staff if you experience five or more of the following symptoms for more than two weeks:

• • Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
  • Sleeping too little or too much, early morning awakening and insomnia
  • Changes in appetite or weight
  • Loss of pleasure or interest in activities you once enjoyed
  • Social withdrawal
  • Feeling restless or irritable
  • Persistent physical symptoms that don’t respond to treatment
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decision
  • Fatigue or loss of energy
  • Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

Note: Thoughts of death or suicide warrant an immediate evaluation by a professional. Please let someone know if you feel this way in order to arrange an emergency evaluation.

The likelihood of depression increases if you have a chronic illness such as cancer, heart disease or stroke. Depression affects about 19 million American adults within any given year. Millions of children and adolescents also experience symptoms of depression that are misdiagnosed due to “acting out behavior.” Nearly 80-90% of those who receive treatment experience significant and lasting relief from their symptoms.

No one should have to suffer from depression at any age. Always err on the side of caution. If you are not sure that you or someone you love is depressed, schedule an evaluation to find out today.

Information used with permission from the “Get Screened, Get Treated, Get Better” campaign of the National Mental Health Association

When hypnosis is used for treating a physical or psychological problem, we call the process clinical hypnosis. Clinical hypnosis can be defined as an altered state of awareness, consciousness of perception. Hypnosis is a highly relaxed state in which the patient’s conscious and unconscious mind is focused and receptive to therapeutic suggestion. Almost everyone has experienced one form or another of hypnosis at some time in his or her life. Think of those times when you were driving on an expressway and caught yourself briefly unaware of what you were doing, or when you or your children were so engrossed in a TV program that you were unaware that someone else had entered the room. There is nothing to fear, because hypnosis is a safe procedure when used professionally. The relaxation you will experience will be pleasant and refreshing.

Hypnosis under various names has been used for as long as records have been kept. Suggestive therapy is perhaps the oldest of the therapeutic methods. Modern clinical hypnosis is usually dated from about 1773. The term hypnosis was coined by James Braid, M.D., approximately 1841. The American Medical Association approved of the use of hypnosis as an appropriate therapeutic technique in 1958.

In many states, the use of hypnosis for psychotherapeutic purposes is restricted to physicians, dentists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, counselors, marital/family therapists, and other health professionals licensed in their state. These professionals are permitted to use this technique in conformance with their own individual training and licensing laws. Professionals using hypnosis should have taken postgraduate (professional) courses in hypnosis, along with appropriate supervision in the use of this technique. Many professionals receive their training through continuing education workshops. The major professional hypnosis organizations recommend a minimum of 60 hours of instruction and appropriate supervised training. Ask your health professional about his or her training if you have any questions.

The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) grants certification in clinical hypnosis. Certification provides recognition of the advanced clinician who has met educational qualifications and required training in clinical hypnosis. For more information about specific standards of training, or legal issues regarding clinical hypnosis, contact ASCH.

Some examples of the utilization of hypnosis, by discipline, are:

Mental health- smoking and weight control, phobias, depression, anxiety, sexual problems, alcoholism, speech disorders, age regression therapy, chronic pain, self-esteem/ ego strengthening, memory/concentration improvement, forensic work with witnesses.

Medicine – psychiatry, anesthesia and surgery, psychosomatic diseases, obstetrics/gynecology, control of bleeding, burn therapy, dermatology, pain control, habit control.

Dentistry – fear of dentistry, dental surgery, bruxissm, control of bleeding, tongue biting, saliva control, orthodontia, gagging, ease of dentures, general oral hygiene.

The professional involved should make this decision whether or not hypnotic treatment is appropriate. He or she should take the individual’s complete history in order to determine if there are physical or emotional conditions that would indicate if the use of hypnosis would be inappropriate. The professional will probably not utilize hypnosis with individuals who display physical problems, such as severe heart disease or other physical conditions where there is danger of masking an illness. Persons with significant emotional problems, such as borderline psychosis, may also not be appropriate patients for hypnotherapeutic treatment.

Length of hypnotic treatment is like most other treatment procedures. It will vary depending on the nature and the severity of the problem. Treatment may be as short as one session, for such things as smoking cessation, to several sessions for other problems. Hypnosis is frequently used in conjunction with other forms of psychotherapy. Hypnotic treatment is only one tool and, when used by itself, the treatment is usually short-term.

All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. The professional acts as a facilitator or teacher to help you achieve this pleasant state. Some professionals tape sessions for their patients to be used between sessions or in place of repeated sessions. A good example is the use of hypnosis in the treatment of chronic pain. Tapes are frequently made for pain patient to be used by them as needed.

One of the major myths about hypnosis is that you will lose consciousness. Hypnosis is an altered level of consciousness, but you do not become unconscious. You will be aware of everything at all times and hear everything that the professional is saying.

Your will is not weakened or changed in any way. You are in control, and, if you wish for any reason to terminate the hypnotic state, you may do so simply by opening your eyes. You cannot be made to do anything against your will. Stage hypnotists would like the audience to think that they have complete control over their subjects, however, professionals practicing clinical hypnosis will make it clear that the patient maintains control.

Patients do not spontaneously begin talking or revealing information they wish to keep secret. You can talk while under hypnosis and you and your professional may ask to use some talking procedure in order to assist you with your problem.

Hypnosis is not sleep; you will not fall asleep. The hypnotic EEG pattern is entirely different from the sleep EEG pattern.

Hypnotherapy is usually used in combination with other forms of treatment. Most insurance companies will cover a percentage of the cost of individual therapy. In most states, only treatment by licensed professionals will be covered.

Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of human service providers in the areas of rehabilitation, employment, child and family, community, and aging services. The CARF family of organizations currently accredits more than 4,800 providers at more than 17,000 locations in the United States, Canada, Western Europe, and South America. More than 6.3 million persons of all ages are served annually by CARF-accredited providers.

When the services or provider you choose is CARF accredited, you’re assured the highest quality services possible.

Wentworth & Associates is proud to announce we are currently in the first year of a three year accreditation by CARF. This is the highest level of accreditation available from CARF. Wentworth & Associates satifies each of the CARF Accreditation Conditions and demonstrates a substantial conformance to the CARF standards. These conditions are designed and operated to benefit the individual served. As a consumer of mental health services, you can rest easy knowing that you are attending a therapeutic center with a strong commitment to continually improving our outstanding services.

Wentworth & Associates has received approval by CARF for a period of three years for the following programs:

Integrated Alcohol and Other Drugs/Mental Health: Outpatient Treatment (Adults).

AND

Integrated Alcohol and Other Drugs/Mental Health: Outpatient Treatment (Children and Adolescents).

For further details on CARF, please click here CARF

EMDR is an acronym for a new psychotherapeutic technique called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. When people suffer from trauma, it often ties into REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is the time when we process our daily emotions. Some trauma may be so painful, that the REM process rejects it. EMDR is an intensified version of REM, developed to handle trauma in its most serious form. EMDR allows a client to process an emotional experience that h/she cannot yet talk about it freely. Most importantly, it can eliminate stress surrounding the traumatic event, with the purpose of allowing new life in the once traumatized and emotionally difficult memory.

Since the initial medical study in 1989 positive therapeutic results with EMDR have been reported with the following populations:

• People who have witnessed or been a victim to disaster (rape, accidents, earthquakes, fires, murder, gang related violence)
• People suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• People who suffer from phobias
• People who suffer panic disorders and anxiety attacks
• Persons exposed to excess loss (loss by death, divorce, loss of a house by fire)
• Crime victims and police officers who were once overcome with violent memories
• Accident or burn victims

The studies to date show a high degree of effectiveness with the following conditions:

• Loss or injury of a loved one
• Work or car accident
• Fire
• Assault
• Robbery
• Rape
• Natural disaster
• Injury
• Illness
• Witness to violence
• Childhood abuse
• Victims of violent crimes
• Performance and test anxiety
• Trauma
• Depression
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Phobias
• Fears
• Childhood trauma
• Physical or sexual abuse
• Post traumatic stress
• Bad temper
• Overwhelming fears
• Low self-esteem
• Relationship problems
• Brooding or worrying
• Trouble sleeping

The therapist works gently with the client and asks him/her to revisit the traumatic moment or incident, recalling feelings surrounding the experience, as well as any negative thoughts, feelings, and memories. The therapist then holds her fingers about eighteen inches from the clients face and begins to move them back and forth like a windshield wiper. The client tracks the movements as if watching ping pong. Other forms of bilateral stimulation may also be used from alternating hand taps or auditory tones. The more intensely the client focuses on the memory, the easier it becomes for the memory to come to life. As quick and vibrant images arise during the therapy session, they are processed by the eye movements, resulting in painful feelings being exchanged for more peaceful, loving, and resolved feelings.

-Before & After Brain Scans using EMDR

• High Anxiety and lack of motivation
• Depression
• Memories of a traumatic experience
• Fear of being alone
• Unrealistic feelings of guilt and shame
• Difficulty in trusting others
• Relationship problems

The EMDR technique is most effective when used in conjunction with other traditional methods of therapy in treating these and many other emotional disorders.

We truly welcome your feedback and complaints and want to know about anything that could improve our services to you and the community.

Please either:

• Call Lawrence Wentworth, PH.D., Recipient Rights Advisor
  Call: (586) 997-3153
• Fill out the Incident/Complaint Report and give it to your therapist (your therapist may assist you if you need help) to give to Dr. Wentworth
• Put it in the suggestion box in the waiting room or leave it in an envelope in the waiting room for Dr. Wentworth or Mail it in to Wentworth & Assoc. Attention, Dr. Lawrence Wentworth, Ph.D.
• You may also download it from our forms page and bring it or mail it in.