Overview
The Diagnostic Statistical Manuel, 5th Edition (DSM-5) is the standard for classification of mental disorders in the United States. It makes up about 300 disorders and their criterias’!
The DSM-5 is consistently changing and updating every few years. The DSM-5 can be objective and up to interpretation…leading to a lot of misdiagnoses…especially with black and brown individuals and women identifying bodies.
Often human behavior does not need to be pathologized / diagnosed … but sometimes it can be extremely validating to understand your symptoms and identify with a disorder, and other times it may not be. I am here to de-stigmatize mental health and will not just diagnosis to diagnosis.
I will treat you as a person, and understand you are not your disorder or trauma. I will use my clinical judgment, the criteria, trauma-informed approaches, and collaboration in supporting you to understand your self.
adhd
Did you know the average age for a women to receive an accurate ADHD diagnosis is in their 30s?! ADHD can be very overlooked. ADHD also can present in many different ways. Common symptoms may include: extreme overwhelmingness, impulsivity, fluctuating energy levels, hyper focus, difficulty concentrating (often on boring tasks), and more.
stress
Stress is a natural human response when new situations , challenges, pressures occur. Stress sends our body alerts “we are in danger”. Each person experiences stress differently. Some may feel motivated when stress, others may feel uncomfortable, while others feel stuck or worried. Numerous aspects of life can result in stress.
anxiety
Anxiety disorders are one of the most common disorders in the world. Common symptoms may include: racing thoughts, intrusive thoughts, nervousness, intense worrying, dysregulated sleep, nausea, fast heart rate, and more.
Depression
Depression is health condition that impacts psychological, social, and biological makeup. Depression is a common mental health disorder. Common symptoms may include: changes in sleep, changes in appetite, loss of interest/pleasure, feeling in a “fog”, sadness, intrusive thoughts, hopelessness, and more.
trauma
Trauma is the impact a certain event/s has on you which results in a dysregulated system. Common symptoms: flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, depression, anxiety, avoidance, guilt, shame and more. Trauma impacts both the physical and mental state of an individual. Trauma is often stored in the body - body tension, dysregulated sleep, gut issues, headache etc. Each person reacts differently to trauma.
Sports psych
Athlete Mental Health Matters! As a former college student athlete I have experienced first hand both the excitements and pressures that come with being a student athlete. Mental exhaustion, injury stress, performance anxiety, and more are all true! In our work together, we will incorporate a holistic approach. You are more than your sport, you are complex, and sport is a part of you. More focus on the whole person, allows for more successful outcome of the athlete, in life and in sport.