DIVAN
CHANGING PARADIGMS
A virtual place for mental health
MY SPECIALTIES
THEORY AND APPROACH
HUMANISTIC, CBT & ECLECTIC.
PERSONALITY DISORDERS
I studied several personality theories to check for one that made me feel comfortable. The answer was Theodore Millon’s Evolutionary Theory of Personality (1990). Millon proved me to be accurate in most of the cases. I do consider Big Five Theory (Mc Crae & Costa 1985) to be useful with pre-adolescents. However, when possible I will always go for Millon’s theory.
Once I have clinically assessed the patient I can understand his/her basic mental patterns. I consider a continuum in all Millon’s personality components, for instance, a patient with a narcissistic trait will show leadership skills and a sense of satisfaction to be the person he or she is. Instead, someone with a narcissistic disorder will show rigidity and would need to have his way in every aspect of his life ignoring those around him and being blind to his own behavior. But we are never “pure” which is we have a combination of traits that makes us almost “unique” so, knowing the combination is having the formula to understand why you behave as you do.
PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is my tool to explain the thinking process (thoughts- feelings-behaviors) and use the REBT and its ABC model to manage specific adversities in the patients’ life. Using my nursing skills I do a thorough explanation of how these processes occur in the limbic system, the rational brain, the neuronal synapsis building physical changes and new connections in the NCS. The patient is trained to relax in order to access its rational brain. He is instructed about the stress physiology and the negative impact it has in his physical health. He will also be instructed on how the brain produces ideas. When ideas become intrusive and obsessive. How to deal with this thoughts. All this will develop his emotional intelligence and self-knowledge.
The patient by now, has a deep knowledge of his own self, how he thinks, how he perceives, how he learns. The patient is trained to question himself about the rationality of his thoughts and is able to implement corrections on his own.
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STRESS & TRAUMA
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ANGRY OUTBURSTS
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ANXIETY
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THE ECLECTIC PART: TRAUMA, COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS & PHOBIAS
My specialities
THEORY AND APPROACH
HUMANISTIC, CBT & ECLECTIC.
PERSONALITY DISORDERS
I studied several personality theories to check for one that made me feel comfortable. The answer was Theodore Millon’s Evolutionary Theory of Personality (1990). Millon proved me to be accurate in most of the cases. I do consider Big Five Theory (Mc Crae & Costa 1985) to be useful with pre-adolescents. However, when possible I will always go for Millon’s theory.
Once I have clinically assessed the patient I can understand his/her basic mental patterns. I consider a continuum in all Millon’s personality components, for instance, a patient with a narcissistic trait will show leadership skills and a sense of satisfaction to be the person he or she is. Instead, someone with a narcissistic disorder will show rigidity and would need to have his way in every aspect of his life ignoring those around him and being blind to his own behavior. But we are never “pure” which is we have a combination of traits that makes us almost “unique” so, knowing the combination is having the formula to understand why you behave as you do.
PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is my tool to explain the thinking process (thoughts- feelings-behaviors) I use the REBT and its ABC model to manage specific adversities in the patients’ life. Using my nursing skills I do a thorough explanation of how these processes occur in the limbic system, the rational brain, the neuronal synapsis building physical changes and new connections in the CNS. The patient is trained to relax in order to access its rational brain. He is instructed about the stress physiology and the negative impact it has in his physical health. He will also be instructed on how the brain produces ideas. When ideas become intrusive and obsessive. How to deal with these thoughts. All this will develop his emotional intelligence and self-knowledge.
The patient by now, has a deep knowledge of his own self, how he thinks, how he perceives, how he learns. The patient is trained to question himself about the rationality of his thoughts and is able to implement corrections on his own.
THE ECLECTIC APPROACH: TRAUMA, COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS & PHOBIAS
I use other theories and techniques such as transactional analysis for communication issues, EMDR for trauma, psychoanalysis to teach about defense mechanisms and inner strives. I use Eric Ericson theory for life events and life crisis, ALANON changing model is part of the instruction I provide to the patients to explain changes.
Brief, my main focus is on CBT but I would not hesitate to include other behavioral schools and theories when needed and depending on the patient’s individualities, I would implement techniques that match his culture and environment appropriately. In other words, I use a convergent method that goes from generalities to individualities centered on the clients' strengths and empowering changes of his weaknesses.
HARDSHIP EVALUATIONS
If you are suffering from depression, anxiety or any other behavioral problem due to the legal status of a close relative, I can perform hardship evaluations and verify the impact that separation from your loved ones will have in your mental health.
PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS
Dealing with psychiatric patients can be difficult for relatives. Recognizing when the disorder is managing the patient's behavior and how to help him to return to normality is a key aspect to maintain a good environment. An initial analysis of the patient's disorder, his personality, his medical issues and the environment where he lives are key aspects to avoid a crisis.