Photo of Applied Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatrist in 94025, CA
Applied Clinical Neuroscience
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
Menlo Park, CA 94025
"Somethings's GOT to give. I can't take this any more! No one understands. My spouse? No way. The last doctor said "more meds" and spent as much time with the computer as he did with me! My teenager is sad and going no where fast. I think the younger one might have some kind of Asperger's, ADD,OCD,ODD,PSTD or some alphabet soup salad that I'm just supposed to deal with. The counselors out there are just too young to understand what I'm going through. Certainly life wasn't meant to be like this."
"Somethings's GOT to give. I can't take this any more! No one understands. My spouse? No way. The last doctor said "more meds" and spent as much time with the computer as he did with me! My teenager is sad and going no where fast. I think the younger one might have some kind of Asperger's, ADD,OCD,ODD,PSTD or some alphabet soup salad that I'm just supposed to deal with. The counselors out there are just too young to understand what I'm going through. Certainly life wasn't meant to be like this."
(650) 288-6479 View (650) 288-6479
Photo of Jeff Leininger, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in 94025, CA
Jeff Leininger
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, PMHNP
Verified Verified
Menlo Park, CA 94025
I help individuals who are experiencing challenging life transitions, acute or chronic anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar, insomnia and chemical dependency issues. Soon, I will offer Ketamine and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. I work with clients during their times of wellness in order to create a more balanced, mindful and body-centered consciousness. I have considerable experience working with individuals who are reconsidering their relationship to alcohol and other substances.
I help individuals who are experiencing challenging life transitions, acute or chronic anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar, insomnia and chemical dependency issues. Soon, I will offer Ketamine and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. I work with clients during their times of wellness in order to create a more balanced, mindful and body-centered consciousness. I have considerable experience working with individuals who are reconsidering their relationship to alcohol and other substances.
(415) 702-4304 View (415) 702-4304
Photo of Stephen H Richmond, Psychiatrist in 94025, CA
Stephen H Richmond
Psychiatrist, MD, PsyD
Verified Verified
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Not accepting new clients
I treat the entire person, which includes both psychology and biochemistry, if needed. For both people struggling with addictions, and for those with other issues, the focus is on the difficulty with being fully present to one's life. My ideal client is someone motivated to look inside, and ready to open up to the richness and pitfalls of his or her internal world.
I treat the entire person, which includes both psychology and biochemistry, if needed. For both people struggling with addictions, and for those with other issues, the focus is on the difficulty with being fully present to one's life. My ideal client is someone motivated to look inside, and ready to open up to the richness and pitfalls of his or her internal world.
(650) 383-8934 View (650) 383-8934
Photo of Barbara Anne Ballinger, Psychiatrist in 94025, CA
Barbara Anne Ballinger
Psychiatrist, M, D
Verified Verified
Menlo Park, CA 94025
The central concern of my work is mental suffering, it is universal, yet with unique roots for each of us. These are often confusing, even unknown. Harm may be inflicted upon our developing selves, and we may carry the pain outside of awareness. I seek to help with knowing, and with pain. Or we cannot figure out how to care for our particular bodies. They may have biological needs we cannot recognize, or again, carry hidden psychological wounds. I have trained also to help recognize and treat biological needs. I see mind and body as inextricably linked in the pursuit of health, peace, and meaning.
The central concern of my work is mental suffering, it is universal, yet with unique roots for each of us. These are often confusing, even unknown. Harm may be inflicted upon our developing selves, and we may carry the pain outside of awareness. I seek to help with knowing, and with pain. Or we cannot figure out how to care for our particular bodies. They may have biological needs we cannot recognize, or again, carry hidden psychological wounds. I have trained also to help recognize and treat biological needs. I see mind and body as inextricably linked in the pursuit of health, peace, and meaning.
(650) 681-0393 View (650) 681-0393
Dissociative Disorders (DID) Psychiatrists

How does therapy for dissociative disorders work?

Dissociation may be triggered by stress or other upsetting circumstances, and therapy can address the traumatic events at the core of an individual’s dissociation. Understanding why a person may dissociate can help the therapist and the individual come up with alternative methods of coping. A person with a dissociative disorder may get stuck on negative thinking, for example, and treatment like Cognitive behavioral therapy is a gold standard for breaking such thinking. And dialectical behavior therapy, for example, can help a person manage their anguish through better emotion regulation.

Which therapies are best for dissociative disorders?

Specific approaches used by professionals include cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavior, psychodynamic, schema therapies, among others. Cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior therapies are two widely used therapies that can help individuals with painful memories and past traumas. These therapies work to integrate an individual's different identities into one person.

Are there specific medications for dissociation?

There are no specific medications prescribed for dissociative disorders. However, psychosis, depression, anxiety, and/or panic often co-occur in dissociative disorders. A psychiatrist may prescribe medications for any accompanying symptom—which may include antipsychotics like aripiprazole, antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or anti-anxiety drugs like benzodiazepines.

How often and how long are therapy sessions?

Like any type of therapy, sessions depend on the individual. Patients may see improvement within 15 to 20 sessions, at an average of 50 minutes per session, others may opt for 20 to 30 sessions over, perhaps, a six-month period. There are still other patients, especially those who have co-occurring conditions like depression and anxiety, who may need to continue sessions for up to 12 to 18 months.