March 2007

In this newsletter:
• Fast Help: Social Anxiety
• Therapist Q&A
• Clinic Announcements

Social Anxiety
Social Anxiety is one of the most common disorders present in our society today. Social Anxiety is also known as Social Phobia. It is a fear of being in social situations where a person may be exposed to unfamiliar people and/or possible scrutiny by others. The person fears that he will do something that is humiliating or embarrassing. The individual becomes so anxious about the possibility of such situations that he will try to avoid social situations or will encounter them with extreme anxiety, which may include panic attacks. The person struggling with Social Anxiety actually knows that his fears are irrational but often does not know how to overcome them. Social Anxiety becomes a problem when it begins to interfere with normal functioning in daily routines, work/school, or relationships. Social Anxiety affects children, adolescents and adults.

Social Anxiety is a treatable disorder. Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy is the most common method used to treat Social Anxiety. A trained therapist will help a client challenge faulty belief patterns and help replace them with reality-based thinking. This process involves helping the client to eventually boost his confidence level and feel more comfortable and at ease with himself as well as in social situations. A referral to a physician for medication is also a sought-after solution for many, which can be a compliment for those also addressing issues of Social Anxiety in therapy. Each person is different, and therefore treatment plans should be designed to meet the unique needs of the individual.

If you feel you or a loved one may be struggling with Social Anxiety, contact us today for an assessment so that we may assist you in developing an appropriate treatment plan.

Therapist Q&A
Is there any help for our blended family?

Today many families live in what are known as "blended families". Blended families are homes in which spouses or partners form a new home together along with their children from previous marriages or relationships. It is very common in such households for tension between adults, between children, and between adults and children due to the fact that most were used to a prior living arrangement and adjustment is very difficult. This adjustment is especially difficult for children, who oftentimes do not have much choice in the matter.

Common issues within blended families:

• parenting differences

• different rules to be followed or different responsibilities in different homes

• rivalry between step-children

• power struggles between children and step-parents

• difficulty with adjustment to lack of compromise within new households

• lack of willingness to change

Marriage and family therapy can be very effective in helping a family work through difficult blended-family issues. By helping meet the needs of both the family and the individuals, therapy will help to reduce tension in the home and help to foster effective communication and respect between family members, and in turn, instill a sense of harmony in the new home. It is a good idea to seek help at any stage, but most effective when problems first arise.

If you live in a blended family and feel that family therapy may be helpful, don't hesitate to call on us today. We look forward to working with you.

If you have a question you'd like answered by us, please send an email to: cpa@wi.rr.com. Your confidentiality will be maintained if you submit a question.

Clinic News
We hope you have had the opportunity to see the memo that Dr. Hamilton put out earlier this month regarding the expansion of our clinic. We are proud to announce that we have added 4 more therapists to our staff. These therapists bring almost 50 years of combined experience to our clinic. Please take a moment to check out their profiles at www.clinical-psychology-associates.com. As mentioned in the memo, each of the new therapists is offering a free face-to-face consultation for potential new clients. We hope you see this as a great opportunity to meet us and find out how we can help you.

We are accepting new clients at this time. If you know of anyone who you think would benefit from counseling or a consultation with us, please have him or her give us a call. We thank you in advance for any referrals you provide.