Therapeutic Services

Therapeutic services are individualized for each client.

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eclectic psychotherapy with a cognitive behavioral emphasis for individuals and couples
Clinical hypnosis
Personal and business coaching conducted at the worksite, in the office, and by telephone
Psychological evaluation: Workers’ Compensation; disability and memory assessments

Descriptions:

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

The technique, developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro, is a psychological technique for treating emotional disorders stemming from traumatic experiences, such as combat stress, natural events, accidents, and childhood events. EMDR focuses on the emotions, thoughts, and visual images, for example, of the memory to enable reformulation and reprocessing of such memories. EMDR helps to resolve the traumatic memories, desensitize environmental triggers and increase emotional well-being.

How does EMDR work?
EMDR appears to affect ways in which the brain interprets and processes information. When a person is highly upset, his or her brain loses the ability to handle information normally. After EMDR sessions, the individual is no longer re-experiencing the trauma. Although the memory remains, it will be less upsetting. EMDR, which is similar to REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, may considered to be a physiologically based intervention that can assist an individual in perceiving emotionally distressful material in a less threatening way.

Over 20 controlled researched studies have examined the efficacy of EMDR. The results of these studies support the usefulness of this technique in removing or significantly reducing symptoms associated with trauma, such as anxiety and depression. Government agencies, such the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, as well as international health institutions utilize EMDR treatment guidelines for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Eclectic Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a supportive, conjoint endeavor between the client and the psychologist. Psychotherapy typically begins with assessing problematic symptoms and behaviors that cause distress in one’s relationships, work and social activities. Eclectic strategies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or insight-oriented therapy, may be utilized to help the client develop self-knowledge and acquire insights about ways in which their patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting may be enhanced. The approaches used in this practice tend to be short-term and solution-focused to assist the individual in gaining mastery in strategic areas of their life. You will work collaboratively with Dr. Conroy in resolving your issues and developing new approaches to problem-solving. Dr. Conroy will not tell you what to do.

Clinical Hypnosis

Hypnosis is a complement to psychotherapy. It is an intervention that helps you move into deep relaxation, during which you will be able to focus more effectively and receive suggestions. Some people go into a deep trance; others simply become more relaxed. You may feel as though you are daydreaming or meditating. As you move into this deeply relaxed, or trance, state, you may be able to block out certain stimuli in your environment, such as loud noises or lights. In this altered state, you will be able to receive the therapist’s suggestions toward your desired outcome, such as being able to lose weight or stop smoking.

The process of hypnosis utilizes specialized hypnotic language which may include guided imagery, folk tales, repetition, and sentences with double meanings.

Myths About Hypnosis: Hypnosis is a form of therapeutic communication; it does not include brainwashing or mind control. While you are in a trance, you are conscious at all times, not asleep. You will still be able to respond to the voice of the therapist.

Coaching

Coaching uses a variety of techniques to help an individual develop goals and put them into action in order to enhance career success. Coaching is different from psychotherapy in that coaching does not focus on emotional issues or on the past. Coaching is focused on the present, helping people negotiate life’s transitions. For example, coaching may be helpful for an individual who wishes to transition from being a corporate executive to offering consulting services. Individuals experiencing creative blocks in writing projects have benefited from coaching. Small business owners and medical or allied health professionals have found coaching to be helpful in developing employee skills, enhancing teamwork, and increasing income. To assist you in deciding if coaching will help you meet your goals, you may wish to answer these self-assessment questions.

Self-Assessment for Coaching Readiness

I will make a commitment to complete coaching assignments.
Yes No
I have a fairly good idea of what I wish to accomplish through coaching.
Yes No
I will make a commitment to alter behaviors that might be blocking my goals.
Yes No
I will make a commitment to consider new avenues to help me reach my objective.
Yes No

If you answered three out of the four questions affirmatively, you are probably ready to start coaching. Contact Dr. Conroy for further information.

Psychological Evaluation

Dr. Conroy conducts comprehensive psychological assessments for individuals seeking a second opinion regarding workers’ compensation and disability issues. Such assessments typically include a clinical interview, a review of the individual’s work and medical history, and the administration of intellectual and memory tests.

Dr. Conroy also provides memory assessments for individuals who are concerned about those “senior moments.” Such individuals may be aware of thinking more slowly, being forgetful, or having difficulty in “finding the right word.” Physicians frequently refer individuals to Dr. Conroy whom they suspect of having more serious memory impairment. Assessments can provide answers with respect to the stage of the individual’s decline, areas of weakness, and areas of remaining strengths.