Claire Karakey (she/her)

Dr. Bowen’s Family Systems Theory (FST) is based on the concept of the family as a single emotional unit. Essentially, each member of a family has a role to play in the overall well-being of the family – each person is a cog in the wheel. For example, when one member of the family is angry or distant, it affects the others as well, and some members of the family may be affected more than the rest.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is a popular therapy modality for treating past traumas. The symptom being treated may not even appear to be related to a traumatic event, but EMDR may be used to discover hidden problems that, once surfaced, can be repaired and lend to the resolution of the original symptom.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is commonly used in talk therapy. This method of therapy helps one become aware of negative thinking loops so they can respond to a situation in a better way by learning to cope with stressful situations. CBT can be used to treat addiction, and eating disorders, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), depression, anxiety, panic attacks, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), and more.

Anxiety is a stress that persists even after the stressor has subsided. Anxiety is a persistent worry which causes ongoing symptoms of stress in the body and mind. Because the body is not meant to maintain this heightened state of alertness for extended periods, it is important to address Anxiety and work to alleviate it with improved mindfulness and coping skills.

Depression is something that many individuals experience at some time in their life – some longer and more frequently than others – and it can cause serious problems in living an optimal life. Depression can be treated using a variety of therapies and sometimes medications as well. Therapy can work to discover trauma responses, coping mechanisms, and subconscious programming in order to improve certain beliefs and behaviors to improve overall well-being.

If the anger, isolation, or depression do not pass within a reasonable amount of time then professional support may be needed. If the pain is so constant and severe that everyday life cannot be resumed, it could be a condition called “complicated grief” or the individual could have fallen into a clinical depression. A psychotherapist can evaluate and treat these conditions so a healthy life can be regained.