DALLAS PSYCHOTHERAPY CENTER

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DALLAS WEIGHT LOSS, FITNESS COACHING & ADHD

 

In addition to offering traditional psychotherapy treatment options for Dallas ADHD patients, those seeking Dallas couples counseling and others, Dallas Psychotherapy Center also specializes in facilitating the achievement of health and weight loss goals. Rather than merely focusing on the physical components of health, nutrition and fitness, we help clients better understand and work through psychological and emotional obstacles that may prevent them from achieving a healthier body and body image with Dallas counseling.

 

Weight Issues and Depression

The Center for Disease Control (2002) has called obesity a “public health epidemic,” with more than 60% of America’s population currently overweight. An estimated 280,000 deaths were caused by obesity in 1991 alone. Weight-related morbidity is estimated to account for about 6.8% of United States health-care costs. Today, obesity has been found to outrank both smoking and drinking as a factor contributing negatively both to the quality and the cost of individuals’ health and life satisfaction.      

In many cases, obesity is closely related to depression, often resulting in a frustrating, self-perpetuating “vicious cycle.” Studies have suggested that cultural beliefs about obesity may lead to discrimination, prejudice, self-stigmatization, and poor relationships. These negative social influences can then in turn contribute to the causes of depression in obese persons. 

 

For both men and women in American society, those who fail to cultivate a “body of thinness” are often perceived as weak-willed, lacking the skills and motivations needed, not only to triumph over their bodies, but also for success in other aspects of their life. Consequently, being overweight can trigger feelings of personal failure and unworthiness, sometimes resulting in depression. A consistent finding among pediatricians and psychologists is that the obese are more negatively stigmatized than almost all other social groups. Evidence from a variety of disciplines has shown that ethnic minorities, women, people in wheelchairs, amputees, and persons with facial disfigurements are all viewed more positively (e.g., friendlier, more likely to succeed) than obese persons. Perhaps the most critical factor distinguishing obesity from social categories like those listed above is that the obese are more likely to be held personally accountable for their weight.

People suffering from depression often have symptoms of apathy and a general lack of motivation, which are not compatible with ideal self-care. Depressed individuals often have an unsatisfactory diet and poor nutritional habits. These habits can lead to an increase in weight, decrease in hygiene, and decrease in overall mood. Given the strong relationship between depression and obesity, it is often necessary to treat both of these issues simultaneously, which is among the specialties of Tamara Cameron, MA.

For individuals struggling with weight issues, a general health screen is recommended.

 

Eating Disorders

Anorexia. Anorexia nervosa is both an eating and psychological disorder. Anorexia is a condition that goes beyond out-of-control dieting. A person with anorexia initially begins dieting to lose weight. Over time, the weight loss becomes a sign of mastery and control. 

The drive to become thinner is actually secondary to concerns about control and/or fears relating to one's body. The individual continues the endless cycle of restrictive eating often to a point close to starvation in order to feel a sense of control over the body. This cycle becomes an obsession, and is similar to any type of drug or substance addiction.  

 

Given the fear of loss of control that drives anorexia, it often occurs alongside various aspects of anxiety. When working to overcome this painful illness, it is often necessary to combine aspects of nutrition management, medication and psychotherapy.

Bulimia. People with bulimia regularly engage in episodes of binge eating followed by attempts to prevent weight gain. A binge is considered eating a larger amount of food than most people would eat under similar situations. For instance, someone with bulimia may eat an entire cake, rather than a slice or two. And he or she may continue eating until painfully full. Snacking throughout the day isn't considered a binge. However, sometimes people with bulimia will feel a need to purge after eating only a small or normal-size meal or portion.

Binges often occur in private. Once the binge episode ends, the purging begins. That may mean heading to the bathroom to vomit or hitting the treadmill for hours of exercise. Individuals suffering from bulimia may also take numerous laxatives or regularly fast. Technically, bulimia can be categorized in two ways: In purging bulimia, the individual regularly engages in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics and enemas to compensate for binges. In non-purging bulimia, the individual uses other methods to rid herself of calories and prevent weight gain, such as over-exercising or fasting.

As with anorexia, bulimia presents psychological problems as well as physical ones. Bulimics often struggle with family and parental issues, and may find it difficult to sustain healthy romantic relationships. When treating bulimia, Tamara Cameron, MA integrates aspects of nutrition management and psychotherapy, and may refer the client for a medication evaluation.    

 

For individuals struggling with an eating disorder, a general health screen is recommended.

 

Integrative Fitness Coaching

We offer a uniquely holistic approach to fitness goals. Our counseling specialists customize weight loss and fitness programs for individual clients, then help them to address various emotional obstacles that stand in the way of achieving those goals. Our therapists also work with eating disorders, helping clients overcome anorexia and bulimia. Many health and fitness related issues both trigger, and are triggered by, anxiety and depression. Dallas Counseling Center aids clients in simultaneously addressing both physical and psychological issues.

 

Psychological Testing

Dallas Psychotherapy Center offers a variety of testing packages, including assessments of personality, ADHD and other learning disabilities, career evaluations and tests for anxiety and depression. These testing packages can be utilized within the context of therapy, or as stand-alone evaluations. Given our partnership with local universities, we are able to offer these evaluations at costs well below those of other DFW testing facilities. Scroll down for more details, and contact us for more information.   

Comprehensive Test Battery. This battery includes both intelligence and personality tests, which are used to determine your overall functional and emotional well-being. This comprehensive evaluation will help assess problems you may be having in multiple areas of you life, as well as aid the therapist in both your diagnosis and treatment plan. The following tests are included in this comprehensive battery: Beck Depression Inventory-II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory, the MMPI-2, the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scale, and the Personality Assessment Inventory. COST: $699.

Eating Disorder Emotional Factors Test Battery. This battery assess issues of possible reasons the patient has developed an eating disorder, as well as related psychological functioning of the patient. The tests included are: Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and MCMI-III. COST: $299.

Adult Abbreviated Test Battery. This battery of tests evaluates a patient’s personality. This may help illustrate areas of personality that the therapist should address during therapy. It consists of the MCMI-III, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Personality Assessment Inventory. COST: $299.

Career Test Battery. The career assessment tests measure occupational interests as well as how one’s personality traits correlate with specific careers. The tests included in this battery are: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Strong Interest Inventory, Career Thoughts Inventory, and the Personality Assessment Inventory. COST: $299.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Comprehensive Assessment. This battery is used to assess a client for a diagnosis of ADHD. Once identified, specific behavioral interventions can be formulated to help the patient manage the effects of the ADHD. This battery consists of the ADHD Symptom Checklist, Brown ADD Scales, the Conner’s Adult A.D.H.D., the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, Wide Range Achievement Test, and the Reynolds Intelligence Assessment Scale. COST: $299.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Screening. This screening is a symptom checklist to see if the patient is experiencing ADHD-like symptoms. Any learning deficits will not be tested for in this screening. This battery consists of the above items except the Reynolds Intelligence Assessment Scale and the Wide Range Achievement Test. COST: $299.

Learning Disabilities Assessment Battery. This assessment battery is used to identify specific strengths and weaknesses in the clients’ academic performance. This battery consists of the Wechsler Intelligence Test and the Wide Range Achievement Test (3 or 4 depending on the type of learning disability suspected). COST: $599. 

 

Heather Robbins, Ph.D.  •  James Robbins, M.A.  •  972-755-0996  •  Contact Us

 Dallas Location: 6380 LBJ FRWY, Ste. 299, Dallas, TX  75287  •  Fort Worth Location: 815 Houston Street,  Fort Worth, TX  76102