The ability to remain in non-judgmental (non-reactive) attention while surrounded by challenging life circumstances can be difficult.  The self-regulation exercises that Dr. Kathy teaches at her private practice in Jupiter called mindfulness, clients learn how not to engage the fight or flight response associated with stress.  The mindfulness tools incorporated into the FUN™ Program include…

Most people have experienced mild dissociation, which is like daydreaming or getting lost in the moment while working on something. However, dissociative identity disorder is a severe form of dissociation. Dissociation is a mental process which produces a lack of connection in a person’s thoughts, memories, feelings, actions, or sense of identity. Dissociative Identity Disorder…

Emotional and physical trauma is the response to a distressing experience. The response can cause emotional shock, biological issues, and have long-lasting psychological effects as the person keeps reliving the past event in the present.  Healing is accomplished when memories, beliefs, or events no longer trigger reactions or behaviors that interfere with daily functioning. Some…

Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty in discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. Also, a person with a hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of these items. Furthermore, excessive accumulation of material things, regardless of actual value, occurs. Hoarding often creates cramped living conditions.…

Addiction, also called substance use disorder, is dependence or abuse of a legal or illegal drug or medication. Remember that alcohol and nicotine are also considered drugs of abuse. Addiction can cause an intense craving for an obsession with the substance. When addicted, the person is not able to control their use of these substances.…

Yoga is a practice that means many things to different people. In the past 30 years, pioneers in the research of traumatic stress and yoga therapy have challenged the limitations of talk therapy. The cutting edge of behavioral therapies today requires experts to develop integrative techniques such as the use of breathing and movement.  These…

Mental imagery, sometimes called visualization, is the language used by the mind to communicate with the body.  According to Dr. Gerald Epstein, Founder and Director of The American Institute for Mental Imagery, mental imagery is the mind speaking to us in pictures. This ancient, self-empowering, healing tool can be used on your own or with…

Official Definition:  Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy treatment modality provided by trained and licensed clinicians that alleviates distress associated with traumatic memories.  Discovered and created by Dr. Francine Shapiro, when disturbing events occur. These events seem to get locked and dysfunctionally stored in the nervous system with the original picture, sounds,…

Talk therapy also known as “CBT” and often referred to as healing from the neck up. In particular, CBT is helpful for identifying and challenging held thoughts, beliefs, and habits of behavior. This direct therapy approach allows you to discover thoughts creating obstacles in daily functioning and self-care. Moreover, CBT can include practicing mindful exercises…