Disorders
Dr. Roland Moses, Ed.D., ABPP - Psychologist Los Angeles
(Addiction Disorders: Drug, Alcohol, Substance Abuse. Career Disorders: Occupational or Educational Difficulties. Mood Disorders: Anxiety, Depression, Panic, Stress. Personality Disorders: Relationship and Emotional Dysfunction. Relationship Disorders: Couples, Marital, Family.)
Dr. Roland Moses, Ed.D., ABPP - Psychologist Los Angeles
(Addiction Disorders: Drug, Alcohol, Substance Abuse. Career Disorders: Occupational or Educational Difficulties. Mood Disorders: Anxiety, Depression, Panic, Stress. Personality Disorders: Relationship and Emotional Dysfunction. Relationship Disorders: Couples, Marital, Family.)
INTRODUCTION
The following are brief introductions to the disorders that are the focus of my practice. These address some of the important issues for individuals suffering from a particular difficulty.
Addiction Disorders:
Drug, Alcohol, Substance Dependence and Substance Abuse
Addictions can come in many forms with no clear causes. This requires a careful initial evaluation to determine whether psychotherapy would be appropriate. In addition there
needs to be an assessment of what adjunct services (social , financial, medical, etc.) to
recommend.
Unfortunately the addicted individual has to contend with social stigma. They also have to contend with the perception by others that they are just being self-indulgent and don’t suffer from a legitimate and tormenting disorder.
Often addictive disorders are in combination with other serious psychological disorders. These should be taken into account in designing an appropriate treatment plan. Treatment can also be complicated by the fact there may be insufficient internal motivation to stop the addictive behavior. Any assessment of treatment approaches and their effectiveness needs to take into account the degree to which the patient may be motivated by external pressures from others.
Career Disorders:
Long Term Difficulties Choosing and Maintaining a Successful Occupational Path
For many individuals finding the right career path and learning to develop the educational, social or job related skills necessary can be a painful and demoralizing long term process.
A careful assessment should identify any accompanying psychological difficulties such as addictive, mood, personality, or relationship disorders which may be contributing to occupational success.
The standard vocational testing done at more elementary levels is rarely useful for persons who struggle with this issue over a long period. A comprehensive work, educational and personal history is collected as well as an exploration of the behavioral problems experienced in educational and occupational settings.
A variety of tools are available to assist the client including educational and vocational resources as well as coaching through difficult challenges in training or work settings.
Mood Disorders:
Anxiety, Depression, Panic, Stress
Most of us experience negative feelings such as anxiety, depression, panic, stress, etc. in the course of normal ways of coping with the demands of everyday life. For some unfortunate individuals these disorders of mood can reach severe proportions, even life-threatening.
A thorough evaluation and treatment plan could also include referrals to rule out possible medical causes. Emotional dysfunctions such as anxiety, depression, etc. while often referred to separately usually accompany each other in various forms. Medications are most often used by general physicians and psychiatrists, but the research often does not support the effectiveness of psychopharmacological drugs alone for long term or chronic states.
Treatment can include psychodynamic psychotherapy techniques to explore possible unconscious self-defeating patterns, cognitive-behavioral analysis and exercises, as well as social and educational resources among others.
Personality Disorders:
Long Term Dysfunction in Relating to Others And Maintaining Emotional Stability
Individuals, of course, exhibit a wide variety of personality types that mainstream scientific opinion view as influenced by the combination of genetics and environmental factors. For some persons these patterns become exaggerated and self-defeating , often interfering with their daily life and relationships.
While these disorders represent a wide spectrum including such labels as dependent, anti-social, borderline etc. personality, they are rarely seen in pure form. Most people who suffer from what is termed a personality disorder are a mixture of several types. These difficult behavioral and mental patterns are usually not responsive to medication. There may also be co-existing disorders which interact destructively with the personality dysfunctions.
The treatment approach which seems most effective is a mixture of psychodynamic, behavioral and counseling techniques tailored to the individual level of functioning. This often requires a commitment of several years of weekly sessions supplemented by behavioral exercises and phone consults when required. With progress, the sessions can often be reduced to fewer than weekly or as needed.
Relationship Disorders:
Couples, Marital or Family Conflict and Dysfunction
Relationships can be roughly divided into those involving sexual attachment and those with non-sexualized emotional bonds such as friends or family. I have found that in most cases an initial consult with all parties involved followed by an individual meeting with each is useful in getting a more comprehensive assessment.
The presenting conflicts in relationships vary greatly. Common themes include struggles over sex, finances or control but can extend to any area where people feel their needs are not being met.
Relationships present one of the most complex situations that a psychotherapist encounters. A careful initial evaluation is essential to determine whether the parties should be seen together, individually or some combination. It also serves to assess any co-occurring disorders that each person may bring to the situation.
There are instances where the parties may be in legal as well as psychological conflict (child custody or financial disputes, for instance.) In such cases a clear distinction should be made between the psychologist or psychotherapist representing someone legally and the one conducting psychotherapy. It is essential in maintaining objectivity that one professional not serve in both capacities.
The following links are provided as references to some of the more conventional definitions of mental health terms, as well as descriptions of symptoms and basic treatment approaches.
American Psychiatric Association (APA)
American Psychological Association (APA)
Association For Psychological Science (APS)
Guide To Psychology
Harvard Medical School
Medline Plus/ U.S. National Library of Science
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
National Institute of Mental Health
PsychCentral
SHARE! The Self-Help and Recovery Exchange
Wikipedia-Mental Disorders
Wikipedia-Psychological Schools
Wikipedia-Psychotherapy
Zur Institute- Standard of Care
The following are brief introductions to the disorders that are the focus of my practice. These address some of the important issues for individuals suffering from a particular difficulty.
Addiction Disorders:
Drug, Alcohol, Substance Dependence and Substance Abuse
Addictions can come in many forms with no clear causes. This requires a careful initial evaluation to determine whether psychotherapy would be appropriate. In addition there
needs to be an assessment of what adjunct services (social , financial, medical, etc.) to
recommend.
Unfortunately the addicted individual has to contend with social stigma. They also have to contend with the perception by others that they are just being self-indulgent and don’t suffer from a legitimate and tormenting disorder.
Often addictive disorders are in combination with other serious psychological disorders. These should be taken into account in designing an appropriate treatment plan. Treatment can also be complicated by the fact there may be insufficient internal motivation to stop the addictive behavior. Any assessment of treatment approaches and their effectiveness needs to take into account the degree to which the patient may be motivated by external pressures from others.
Career Disorders:
Long Term Difficulties Choosing and Maintaining a Successful Occupational Path
For many individuals finding the right career path and learning to develop the educational, social or job related skills necessary can be a painful and demoralizing long term process.
A careful assessment should identify any accompanying psychological difficulties such as addictive, mood, personality, or relationship disorders which may be contributing to occupational success.
The standard vocational testing done at more elementary levels is rarely useful for persons who struggle with this issue over a long period. A comprehensive work, educational and personal history is collected as well as an exploration of the behavioral problems experienced in educational and occupational settings.
A variety of tools are available to assist the client including educational and vocational resources as well as coaching through difficult challenges in training or work settings.
Mood Disorders:
Anxiety, Depression, Panic, Stress
Most of us experience negative feelings such as anxiety, depression, panic, stress, etc. in the course of normal ways of coping with the demands of everyday life. For some unfortunate individuals these disorders of mood can reach severe proportions, even life-threatening.
A thorough evaluation and treatment plan could also include referrals to rule out possible medical causes. Emotional dysfunctions such as anxiety, depression, etc. while often referred to separately usually accompany each other in various forms. Medications are most often used by general physicians and psychiatrists, but the research often does not support the effectiveness of psychopharmacological drugs alone for long term or chronic states.
Treatment can include psychodynamic psychotherapy techniques to explore possible unconscious self-defeating patterns, cognitive-behavioral analysis and exercises, as well as social and educational resources among others.
Personality Disorders:
Long Term Dysfunction in Relating to Others And Maintaining Emotional Stability
Individuals, of course, exhibit a wide variety of personality types that mainstream scientific opinion view as influenced by the combination of genetics and environmental factors. For some persons these patterns become exaggerated and self-defeating , often interfering with their daily life and relationships.
While these disorders represent a wide spectrum including such labels as dependent, anti-social, borderline etc. personality, they are rarely seen in pure form. Most people who suffer from what is termed a personality disorder are a mixture of several types. These difficult behavioral and mental patterns are usually not responsive to medication. There may also be co-existing disorders which interact destructively with the personality dysfunctions.
The treatment approach which seems most effective is a mixture of psychodynamic, behavioral and counseling techniques tailored to the individual level of functioning. This often requires a commitment of several years of weekly sessions supplemented by behavioral exercises and phone consults when required. With progress, the sessions can often be reduced to fewer than weekly or as needed.
Relationship Disorders:
Couples, Marital or Family Conflict and Dysfunction
Relationships can be roughly divided into those involving sexual attachment and those with non-sexualized emotional bonds such as friends or family. I have found that in most cases an initial consult with all parties involved followed by an individual meeting with each is useful in getting a more comprehensive assessment.
The presenting conflicts in relationships vary greatly. Common themes include struggles over sex, finances or control but can extend to any area where people feel their needs are not being met.
Relationships present one of the most complex situations that a psychotherapist encounters. A careful initial evaluation is essential to determine whether the parties should be seen together, individually or some combination. It also serves to assess any co-occurring disorders that each person may bring to the situation.
There are instances where the parties may be in legal as well as psychological conflict (child custody or financial disputes, for instance.) In such cases a clear distinction should be made between the psychologist or psychotherapist representing someone legally and the one conducting psychotherapy. It is essential in maintaining objectivity that one professional not serve in both capacities.
The following links are provided as references to some of the more conventional definitions of mental health terms, as well as descriptions of symptoms and basic treatment approaches.
American Psychiatric Association (APA)
American Psychological Association (APA)
Association For Psychological Science (APS)
Guide To Psychology
Harvard Medical School
Medline Plus/ U.S. National Library of Science
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
National Institute of Mental Health
PsychCentral
SHARE! The Self-Help and Recovery Exchange
Wikipedia-Mental Disorders
Wikipedia-Psychological Schools
Wikipedia-Psychotherapy
Zur Institute- Standard of Care
Diplomate in Clinical Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)
Former Professor and Training Supervisor, Columbia University
California Licensed Psychologist- # 17592
New York Licensed Psychologist- # 003730
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Dr. Roland Moses, Ed.D.,ABPP
Westwood Medical Plaza 10921 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 513 Los Angeles (Westwood), CA 90024 |
© 2013 Dr. Roland Moses, Ed.D., ABPP - Psychologist in West Los Angeles - 10921 Wilshire Blvd, CA 90024
