Specialities

In my private practice I focus on the following range of specialties: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, stress, life transitions, self-esteem, adolescence, relationships, and assessment and counseling for bariatric surgery.

Contact me today for free phone consultation.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress, such as when you go on a first date, a job interview or speak in front of an audience. However, anxiety that is excessive and continues to interfere with daily living may become disabling.

I have extensive experience working with anxiety disorders, including PTSD, Panic Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and can speak to you about an individualized approach to treating your anxiety.

Signs & Symptoms

  • Excessive anxiety and worry
  • Restlessness or feeling on edge
  • Easily fatigued
  • Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
  • Muscle tension
  • Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep)

Depression

It is normal to occasionally experience the blues or feel down. Depression is more than just feeling down in the dumps for a few days. It is feeling down, low and hopeless for weeks at a time. Depression is a serious medical illness; it is not something that you have made up in your head.

I can speak to you about the nature of your depression and provide an individualized plan to help alleviate your symptoms.

Signs & Symptoms

  • Feeling sad, empty, depressed
  • Feelings of hopelessness
  • Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Fatigue or loss of energy
  • Irritability, anger
  • Change in eating habits, sleep disturbances
  • Isolation, loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are a serious medical condition that can take on many forms and variations, affecting women, men, teens and children.

Eating disorders are life threatening and require professional help. I can speak to you about your difficulty with eating and develop and individualized plan to help you.

Anorexia Nervosa
Signs & Symptoms

  • Refusal to maintain body weight at a minimally normal weight for height and age
  • Reduction in food intake, denial of hunger
  • Intense fear of weight gain or “being fat" despite dramatic weight loss
  • Loss of menstrual period
  • Self evaluation overly influenced by body shape and weight

Bulimia Nervosa
Signs & Symptoms

  • Repeated episodes of binge eating and purging
  • Feeling out of control during a binge and eating beyond the point of fullness
  • Purging after a binge (typically by self-induced vomiting), or use of compensatory behaviors, such as abuse of laxatives, diet pills, excessive exercise, or fasting
  • Self evaluation overly influenced by body shape and weight

Binge Eating Disorder or Compulsive Overeating
Signs & Symptoms

  • Uncontrolled or impulsive eating beyond point of feeling comfortably full
  • Eating in response to emotional cues rather than hunger cues
  • Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty afterward

Stress

Stress is a part of day-to-day living. Sources of stress include relationships, work and finances. However, chronic stress or stress dealing with major life challenges can take a significant toll both physically and emotionally.

People differ dramatically in the types of events they interpret as stressful and the way in which they respond to such stress. I can help you develop skills necessary to deal with the stress in your life and help reduce the tension you feel.

Signs & Symptoms

  • Feeling anxious and irritable
  • Worrying about the future
  • Preoccupation with thoughts/tasks
  • Loss of appetite or overeating
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Headaches, pain in the neck or lower back
  • Susceptibility to illness

Life Transitions

One of the realities of life is that change is the only constant. We often spend much of our lives trying to achieve our goals, arrange our lives in the manner we desire, and hang onto pleasant situations. When there is a planned or unexpected change, such as getting married, “the empty nest” or losing a job, life can become stressful and sometimes unmanageable. I can help you adapt and flourish amidst constant change.

Common life transitions include:

  • Getting married
  • Having a baby
  • Losing a job
  • "The empty nest"
  • Divorce
  • Medical problems
  • Loss and bereavement

Self-esteem

A healthy sense of self can make a profound difference in how we feel and function. Self-esteem is our basic sense of worth or value. It is the degree to which we respect and like ourselves. Those who constantly compare themselves to others, or are perfectionists, and set unrealistic goals, may feel less than adequate. Even a well-developed self-esteem can be challenged by sudden life changes, such a losing a job or ending a relationship. I can help you identify the source of your self-evaluation, and find ways to help you embrace and appreciate your authentic self.

Adolescents

Researchers have found that stressful times from the teenage years exact a physical toll that could have implications during adulthood. The adolescent years are critical in the healthy formation of adult relationships, autonomy, and self-confidence.

Adolescents experience a great deal of pressure and stress. They are facing changes developmentally, with puberty comes physical and hormonal changes; socially, peer pressure and wanting to fit in; and psychologically, striving for more independence and a feeling of competence.

Teens often struggle with the many feelings they are having. As a result, some may display their emotions in destructive ways or defend against them by avoiding them. Talking about feelings and working through conflict is essential. I can speak to you about the issues affecting your teen and develop a plan to help your teen achieve greater self-esteem and success.

Typical issues faced by teens include:

  • Peer Relationship Problems
  • Peer Pressure
  • Academic Pressures
  • Parent Relationship Problems
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Eating Disorders
  • Substance Use/Abuse

Relationships

The variety and quality of your relationships are an integral part of your overall happiness. Self-respect, communication, negotiating differences, problem solving, and empathy are important aspects in all relationships. I work with couples and families to help them achieve better relationships. I can speak to you about your specific circumstance and create a plan to help you learn to have more satisfaction and joy in your relationships.

Typical relationship concerns include:

  • Pre-marital counseling
  • Marital counseling
  • Family counseling
  • Partner relationship counseling
  • Communication problems
  • Sexual difficulties
  • Parent-child difficulties

Bariatric Surgery

Pre-operative assessment for bariatric surgery has been deemed essential. A psychological evaluation will usually be ordered by the surgeon to clarify the patient’s understanding of possible risks and complications, as well as the need to follow the recovery plan. If psychological conditions such as substance dependence or mood disorders are present, they must be addressed. True lifetime obesity management requires lifelong changes in diet and exercise and may involve emotional and psychological challenges. Post-operative counseling and support groups can help patients connect with others who are contending with similar psychosocial stressors, and increase the likelihood of long-term success in weight loss management and life style change. I can assist you if you are considering bariatric surgery. Please contact me for more information.

Bariatric surgery

Contact me for a free phone consultation.

You can also contact Dr. Nadia Mishael by email or phone (310) 470-6444.

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