Division I and II

(718) 895-7664 | (212) 933-0493

Division I & II

Division I: Health, Self Enhancement, & Interpersonal Relationships.

Counseling & Psychotherapy: For Individuals, Couples, & Families.
Marriage & Family Therapies: Professional Clinical Member, American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT) and Facilitator, Imago Relationship Therapy.
CBT & Its Variations: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy.
Hypnotherapy & Guided Imagery: For Multiple Problems.
Dream Work: A Dynamic Therapeutic Tool.
Biofeedback: For Selected Disorders.
EMDR/EFT/Acupressure: Bilateral Stimulation Techniques/ Meridian Tapping or Pressure.
Meditation: Selective Application From Multiple Schools.
Art Therapy: Expressive Projective Techniques.
Reiki Energy Healing: For Multiple Problems.
Weight Management: For Weight Loss & Weight Gain.
Eating Disorders: Targeted Techniques.
Chronic Pain Management: Mind Over Body.
Sleep Disorders: Drug-free Therapeutic Approaches.
Substance Abuse & Addiction: Alcohol, Drugs, Nicotine.
Compulsive Behaviors & Soft Addictions: Extreme Temptations with Inadequate Impulse Control
Self Defeating Attitudes and Anger Management
Stress Management: Personal, Family, & Corporate.
- Personal & Family
- Corporate

Division IA: Collaborative Divorce/Non-Marital Dissolution Practice.

Division II: Self Development Skills.

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Academics
Dating
Humor

Division I
Health, Self Enhancement, & Interpersonal Relationships

Counseling & Psychotherapy: For Individuals, Couples, and Families Professional Member: American Psychological Association, American Counseling Association; Diplomate, American Psychotherapy Association; Board Certified: American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, American Academy of Pain Management, APA, EMDR International Association.
Individuals (All Ages):
Issues Addressed: Self-esteem Self-confidence Motivation Fears Public Speaking Dental/Surgical Heights Flying Driving Insects Animals The dark Imaginary creatures Illness Death Sexual Commitments Chronic Pain PTSD BDD BPD	Phobias Social Anxiety Generalized Anxiety Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Oppositional Defiant Disorder ADD/AD-HD/PDD Depression Loss/Grief Potency/Frigidity Assertiveness/Passivity Procrastination Boredom Bad habits Addictions Bereavement Loneliness School/Career Unwanted patterns of behavior Anger Management
Our Director, Dr. Gildston, has headed advanced professional workshops (some in conjunction with a psychiatrist) on the following topics, among many others: “Psychodynamic approaches in individual counseling.” “Psychotherapy for children of separation and divorce.” “Withdrawal and delinquency in adolescents: Is there a ‘best’ therapeutic approach?” “Bereavement counseling.” “Post-traumatic Stress Disorders.”

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Couples:
We specialize in helping you: Repair breakdowns in communication--verbal and nonverbal; Lift the veil from understanding your partner's emotional reactions.
Issues Addressed: Role perceptions & biases Money Sex Infidelity Jealousy Commitment Abuse Work Chores Boredom		Power plays Misunderstandings Differing interests Ethnic and religious differences Children Parents In-laws Other relatives and friends Detrimental patterns of behavior. Anger Management
Our Director, Dr. Gildston, has presided over workshops (some in conjunction with a psychiatrist) on the following topics, among many others: “Couples counseling.” “Rational Emotive Therapy for troubled relationships.” “Mental health and interpersonal communication: A skills training Workshop.” "The Oprah Effect: Imago Relationship Therapy" “Is it what I say or how I say it?”

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Families:
Relationships: Parent-parent Parent-infant Parent-child Parent- adolescent Parent-stepchild Parent-adult child Siblings Nuclear family as a whole Blended Families Divorced-Remarried Grandparents-parents Grandparents-grandchildren In-laws-parents Other significant relatives and friends Extended families	Issues Addressed: Misunderstandings Biased role perceptions Privacy vs. Need to know Ethnic/Religious differences Finances: Control & Budgeting Power plays Chores/Responsibilities Commitment Work Time vs. Family Time Love Guilt Fear/Anxiety Abuse Alliances/Scapegoats Dysfunctional patterns of behavior Anger Management
Our Director, Dr. Gildston, has headed workshops (some in conjunction with a psychiatrist) on the following topics, among many others: “Family therapy a la Minuchin.” “Systems interventions for families in crisis.” “The role of interpersonal communication in psychotherapy for families.”

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Marriage & Family Therapies: Professional Clinical Member, American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT)

To be CERTIFIED by the AAMFT, therapists must have completed extensive AAMFT approved training and provided evidence of broad experience employing systems theory intervention techniques with couples and families.

The many varied approaches to marriage and family therapy (MFT) demand expertise on the part of therapists in knowing how to pick and choose among them to meet clients' needs. Our therapists are familiar with the full array of MFT approaches, from Minuchin to Feminism.

Our director, Dr. Gildston, presented a professional workshop at the 2009 Annual Conference of the American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT) entitled "Why family therapy for eating disorders is the way to go." (Please see Couples and Families above, under Counseling and Psychotherapy for other workshops presented by Dr. Gildston.

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & all its variations

Professional Member, Association for Behavior and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)

All psychotherapy has cognitive components. A truly cognitive-behavioral approach, however, distinguishes itself by the interventions it champions to change cognitive experiences, including the transformation not only of thoughts, assumptions, evaluations, and beliefs, but of related emotions and behaviors as well.

Each of these key human components influences the others. CBT therapies are less concerned with the psychodynamic understanding of unconscious emotions and drives and more focused on how the patient perceives current realities. The meaning given to events is what is deemed to be important. Therapy is geared toward moving away from negative constellations toward more flexible, realistic, and positive schema.

Over the years CBT has spawned a host of modifications in approach. Our clinicians are trained not only in the enduring basic approach of CBT but in all of its many variations as well. They use their expertise to select the best intervention or combination of interventions for each client. Among the most popular variations are:

REBT Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
ERP Exposure and Response Prevention
ACT Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
DBT Dialectical Behavior Therapy
M & M Mindfulness & Mentalization
CFT Cognitive Family Therapy
MI Motivational Interviewing
IRRT Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy

Goals:
- Identify:
  - maladaptive and irrational thoughts.
  - debilitating negative emotions.
  - behavior locked into such thoughts and emotions.
  - core non-optimal beliefs--many formed in childhood--that result in reflexive maladaptive and irrational responses.
- Specify:
  - how and why these factors are inaccurate, dysfunctional, irrational, or simply non-optimal.
- Reject:
  - such distorted, unrealistic, unhelpful cognitions, emotions and behaviors.
- Replace:
  - with those that are more functional, realistic, and helpful.

Issues Addressed
- Clinical Depression
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety
- Specific Anxieties
- Social Phobia
- Panic Disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Weight Management
- Chronic Pain
- Sleep Disorders
- Substance Abuse and Addiction
- Compulsive Behaviors & Soft Addictions
- Self Defeating Attitudes
- Stress Management
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorders
- and more

Our Director, Dr. Gildston, has presented advanced professional workshops on the following topics, among many others:

“Rational Emotive Therapy for troubled relationships.”
“A cognitive-behavioral approach to giving up bad habits.”
“We’re only a few new thoughts away from conquering those panic attacks.”
“Mama said it, Daddy reinforced it, and they both modeled it…. But are the related hand-me-down beliefs and actions optimal?”
Dr. Gildston is also the Director of the North Shore Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Center

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Hypnotherapy & Guided Imagery: Advanced Certification: Approved Consultant, American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH)

Hypnosis and Guided Imagery enable us to change our state of mind. Harvard University researchers demonstrated that, in these naturally altered states, we engage more areas of the brain than are involved in our every-day state. This makes for more brain connections and more profound mind-body connections to effect desired changes.

The route to hypnosis and guided imagery is most often achieved through relaxation which, in turn, generates a release of tension in both mind and body. With these techniques we empower ourselves to overcome life's roadblocks.

Anyone not seriously mentally retarded or brain damaged can benefit from hypnosis and guided imagery.

You are probably the victim of many myths about hypnosis and guided imagery. If you decide to try these powerful techniques to help resolve any of your concerns, we will answer all of your questions to put your mind at ease during your free consultation.

Ericksonian Hypnotherapy: Our therapists are experts in this specialized technique which is used typically in conjunction with other techniques to allow for more rapid resolution of many problematic issues.
Past-Life Regression: For those who wish to explore this possibility, the psychotherapists at our Center have extensive training and experience in its useful application.
Guided Imagery: Combines selected aspects of Neurolinguistic Programming, Ericksonian hypnosis, Moreno Psychodrama, Jungian archetypes, and other image-rich techniques to help guide the unconscious toward desired goals.

Issues Addressed: Smoking Weight Performance Anxiety Achieving Peak Performance Habits Speech Fears Sleep Stress Confidence Shyness	Sex Sports Anxiety Phobias Anger Depression Grief/Loss Addiction Obsessions Relationships PTSD	Chronic Pain Tinnitus Bruxism TMJ/Gnashing Teeth ADD/ADHD Stuttering PMS IBS Birthing Misplaced Items Memory Enhancement
Our Director, Dr. Gildston, has presented advanced professional workshops on the following topics, among many others: “Hypnosis in the treatment of LD, AD-HD, ODD and Asperger’s Disorder.” “Ericksonian hypnotherapy for treating bad habits and substance related disorders.” “Improving your golf or tennis swing via guided imagery.” “Hypnosis for troubled relationships.” “Changing the self-concept with hypnosis.” “Guided imagery and hypnosis for performance, social and test anxiety.” “Hypnosis in the control of smoking and weight.”

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Dream Work: A Dynamic Therapeutic Tool

Dream work can provide dramatic insights into roots of current day problems. In ancient times dreams were considered to be a form of supernatural communication. Sometimes they were viewed as evidence of divine intervention.

From Freud's take on dreams as unfulfilled wishes, to Jung's personal and collective dream archetypes, to the more modern spin on the meaning of dreams as messages to the dreamer, dream work is used when appropriate to unveil hidden source material. It can also provide guidelines for positive behaviors despite Plato's famous conclusion: The virtuous man is content to dream what a wicked man really does.

Issues Addressed:
- Unconscious fears
- Nightmares
- Repeated Dreams
- Dream series
- Repressed memories
- Latent versus manifest content
- Unconscious networking
- Condensation of complex thoughts
- Displacement from threatening to acceptable surface images
- Unique and personal associations to dream content
- Visitation dreams
- Dream channeling
- Dream dramaturgy
- Day dreams
- Preverbal issues
- Dream reflections of dreamers waking state concerns
- Neurophysiological and neurochemical aspects of dreaming

Intervention Techniques:
- Uncovering multiple dreamer ego states
  (a la Watkins)
- Hypnotherapeutic dream work
  (a la Erickson)
- Role playing (a la Moreno)
- Building bridges (a la Satir & Watkins)
- Cracking the symbol codes
  (a la Jung and Klein)
- Lucid dreaming (a la Hobson)
- and much more

Our Director, Dr. Gildston

Integrated both Freud’s and Jung’s dream theories with the newer neurocognitive based theories of dreams.
The resulting psychotherapeutic benefits have been markedly positive for individuals with issues that involve significant dream components.

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Biofeedback: Certified Advanced Biofeedback

But…What exactly IS biofeedback?

Literally, it is the human subject receiving objective information about his own functioning. The information is used to effect positive change.

Typically the feedback is either visual and (or) auditory.
- Verbal feedback, hypnosis or guided imagery may accompany the use of biofeedback equipment.

There are three major types of biofeedback:

Temperature Control: Making a part of the body warmer usually brings more relaxation and reduces stress. Correlated biological systems also move toward a more positive state.
EEG (Electroencephalography): Electrodes on the head read brain waves. The subject attempts to change the brain wave pattern in order to induce relaxation and reduce pain. The four waves most commonly identified in biofeedback are Beta, Alpha, and Theta—although Delta and Gamma waves are also measured for other purposes with different equipment:
- Beta: 15-30 Hz. Everyday alert, wakeful consciousness
- Gamma: 26-100 Hz. Binding population of neurons into a network to carry out certain cognitive or motor functions
- Alpha: 9-14 Hz. Relaxation, calm, lucid altered state; light hypnotic trance; guided imagery
- Theta: 4-8 Hz: Deep relaxation; meditation, deep hypnotic trance
- Delta: 1-3 Hz. Deep dreamless sleep

EMG: (Electromyography): Electrodes are placed on painful areas of the body. The subject attempts to change the feedback he is getting to feedback that is correlated with reduced pain. Biofeedback refers to the use of equipment to feed back to you information --via seeing a certain pattern or hearing certain sounds about your level of muscle tonus, finger temperature, or brain activity. The goal is to lessen tension, induce relaxation, and produce altered states of body and mind within which to normalize bodily dysfunctions.
Issues Addressed:
- Migraine headaches
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- High blood pressure
- ...... and the like

Our Director, Dr. Gildston, has conducted advanced professional workshops on the following topics, among many others:

“Biofeedback for stress related disorders.”
“Just how helpful is biofeedback for ADD and AD-HD?”
“Biofeedback and Acupressure for migraine headache.”
“Simple versus complex forms of biofeedback/neurofeedback.”

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EMDR, Acupressure, EFT:

Certified Professional Member, International EMDR Association (EMDRIA). To be CERTIFIED in EMDR by EMDRIA, therapists must have completed extensive EMDRIA approved training and given evidence of broad experience employing EMDR with patients.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful technique that often achieves quick-acting, permanent results. Simple alternating left-right eye movements were originally its method for achieving positive emotional and behavioral changes. As the discipline evolved, however, multiple forms of bilateral stimulation proved to be equally effective for treating a broad array of problems.

This revolutionary technique relies on the theorized capacity of our emotions and thoughts to normalize toward the positive when appropriately stimulated. Psychological wound healing is believed to be similar to the body's natural attempts to heal itself when wounded physically.

The International EMDR Association defines EMDR in part as follows:

"In the broadest sense, EMDR is intended to alleviate human suffering and assist individuals and human society to fulfill their potential for development while minimizing risks of harm in its application. For the client, the aim of EMDR treatment is to achieve the most profound and comprehensive treatment effects in the shortest period of time, while maintaining client stability within a balanced family and social system.

EMDR is founded on the premise that each person has both an innate tendency to move toward health and wholeness, and the inner capacity to achieve it. EMDR is grounded in psychological science and is informed by both psychological theory and research on the brain.

EMDR integrates elements from both psychological theories (e.g. affect, attachment, behavior, bioinformational processing, cognitive, humanistic, family systems, psychodynamic and somatic) and psychotherapies (e.g., body-based, cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, person-centered, and psychodynamic) into a standardized set of procedures and clinical protocols. Research on how the brain processes information and generates consciousness also informs the evolution of EMDR theory and procedure."

Issues Addressed: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Phobias Addictions Depression	Feeling stuck Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Generalized Anxiety Specific Anxieties Panic Disorders Eating Disorders
and most other unhappy states of mind.

Acupressure: (A combination of acupuncture and pressure)

Acupressure relies on the non-invasive stimulation of specific acupuncture points associated with the body's energy meridians. It was developed over three thousand years ago in China and is considered a major component of Chinese Traditional Medicine. Unlike Acupuncture, which requires the insertion of fine needles into the body at these key points, acupressure treatments use physical pressure applied by a finger, hand, elbow, or other device.

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and TFT (Thought Field Therapy):

Interventions using the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) employ tapping sequences on select acupuncture meridian points on the upper body for various problems. EFT is a simple and sometimes highly effective technique which can be quickly learned and applied to relieve stress. It developed from a more complex technique called Thought Field Therapy (TFT) developed by psychologist Roger Callahan. EFTs founder, Gary Craig, discovered that he was able to achieve the same positive results with this much less complicated approach.

Unlike EMDR, however, Acupressure and EFT have not been independently validated in objective, scientific research studies. They are, however, used widely, either alone or in combination with other techniques. A vast array of anecdotal reports support their efficacy.

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Meditation:

Meditation induces an altered mental state which, in turn, induces calm, mindfulness or mindlessness,

and peace of body and mind. There are many different meditation techniques. It is important to match the technique to the individual. Our counselors and meditation teachers are trained in multiple schools of meditation as well as in the psychotherapeutic use of meditation.

Schools of Meditation:
- Transcendental (TM)
- Vipassana
- Zen Buddhist
- Indian Mandala
- Tibetan Chanting
- Benson Modern
- ......and many more.

Issues Addressed:
- All stress and anxiety related conditions/disorders
- Addictions
- Dysfunctional mood states
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Chronic Pain
- AD-HD
- .....and the like

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Art Therapy: Professional Member, American Art Therapy Association (AATA) and Arts In Therapy.

Every major therapeutic technique can be translated, in part, to a corresponding art therapy technique. For appropriately selected individuals, couples, and families with certain problems, using adjunctive art therapy can be of immense benefit.

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy uses the creative process as a key form of expression for children, adolescents, and adults with emotional, mental, or physical distress. Via verbal and non-verbal modes, art therapy helps to resolve personal and interpersonal issues. It should be understood, however, that the art work itself is just one of many important components in the process of psychotherapy.

As defined by the prestigious American Art Therapy Association:

“Art therapy...is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.

Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms), and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy.”

As an example, in a research project entitled Art and Children's Perceptions of Physicians completed at the Cystic Fibrosis Center of Stanford University, one of the art tasks for the children with CF was to “draw a picture of your doctor.” Since it is important that positive affect be generated between long-term patients and their caregivers, an objective of the study was to contrast projective art drawings with self-report measures in examining children's perceptions of their doctors. It was reported that “the results from the children with CF were "hopeful", and reflected the close relationship that is formed over the years of treatment for CF. For example, when asked why she wouldn't recommend her doctor to her friend, one participant replied, "She's my doctor... I want her to myself."”

Issues Addressed:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- OCD
- Phobias
- AD-HD
- Substance Abuse
- Family & Relationship Issues
- Abuse & Domestic Violence
- Trauma & Loss
- Cognitive & Neurological Problems
- Chronic Pain & Disability
- …and more

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Reiki Energy Healing: Certified Reiki Master

This powerful Japanese technique is an alternative approach to healing physical, emotional, and spiritual problems. Reiki in Japanese means “universal life force energy.”

Reiki is a non-invasive holistic healing method based upon revitalizing and rebalancing the energy system of the body. Yoga labels that energy Prana, Acupuncture and Acupressure call it Ki (Japan) or Chi (China).

The healer uses his or her hands to identify and rebalance those areas of the head and body wherein the energy is too intense, too weak or simply not moving as it should. The technique can be applied with hands on or just over the body.

The recipient may feel tingling, warmth, coolness, and (or) energy flow. The visualization of colors, shapes or images may also arise. A general sense of calm and relaxation typically ensues.

Reiki has been used to:

Improve and Reinforce:
- Beneficial life changes:
  - Proper diet
  - Desire to exercise
- Body’s natural healing powers
- Body’s immune system
- Sound sleep
Reduce:
- Anxiety
- Chronic pain
- Negative stress reactions
- …and more

If you elect to go this route, you will be treated by a certified Reiki Master Teacher and Healer.

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Weight Management:

Intervention Techniques: From among multiple successful drug-free approaches, we select those geared to the needs of the individual.

Issues Addressed:
- Diet
- Supplements
- Exercise
- Motivation
- Procrastination
- Reinforcement
- Punishment
- Relationship Issues
- Reactions to verbal taunts
- Medical and medication complications

Intervention Techniques:
- CBT REBT
- Hypnotherapy
- Reiki Healing
- Guided Imagery
- EMDR, EFT, Acupressure
- Meditation
- Biofeedback
- Desensitization
- ...And More

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Eating Disorders: Professional Member, Academy for Eating Disorders & National Eating Disorders Association.

Intervention Techniques:
- We have developed our own techniques to counter these serious problems, tailoring them to fit individual needs.
- All techniques are 100% drug-free.

Issues Addressed:
- Anorexia
- Bulimia
- Pathological Binging
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
- Developmental Obesity
- Mixed Categories

Co-Morbidities:
- Substance Abuse & Addiction
  - Overindulgence in laxatives
  - Alcohol and drug dependencies
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Compulsive Behaviors & Soft Addictions
  - Purging
  - Exercising excessively
…and more

Our Director, Dr. Gildston

Presented recently an advanced professional workshop on Eating Disorders at the annual meeting of NYSCH.
Was scheduled to present a workshop entitled “Why integrative psychotherapy is the way to go for addictive eating disorders” at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Exploration of Integrative Psychotherapy.
Presented a workshop entitled “Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse: Prevention and treatment for a spectrum of artful and dangerous addictions” at the Annual Conference of the NAADAC.
Dr Gildston is also the director of A North Shore Center for Eating Disorders.

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Chronic Pain Management: Professional Member and Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management

We understand the psychological toll of chronic pain. We also know that research studies indicate:

a) Pain is felt in the body but controlled in the brain.
b) The mind can be taught to increase the production of natural pain inhibitors. This faculty of the mind may allow for a decrease in the dosage of pain medications or may reduce the need for such medications altogether.

Issues Addressed:
- Headaches
  - Migraine
  - Tension
  - Cluster
  - Sinus
  - Hormone
  - Stress
- Back, Limb, & Chest Pain
- Fibromyalgia
- TMJ
- Carpal Tunnel
- Arthritis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- ...And More

Intervention Techniques:
- CBT REBT
- Hypnotherapy
- Reiki Healing
- Guided Imagery
- EMDR, EFT, Acupressure
- Meditation
- Biofeedback
- Desensitization
- ...And More

Our Director, Dr. Gildston:

Recently moderated a day-long panel at the 19th Annual Clinical meeting of the AAPM on “The Chronic Pain Experience.”
Dr. Gildston also gave a presentation at that meeting on “Shifting the ‘noise’ of chronic pain to the background,” explaining how various psychological interventions in the areas of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) can significantly ameliorate chronic pain.

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Sleep Disorders:

We treat all sleep disorders except sleep apnea which requires a medical lab facility.

Issues Addressed:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Light or troubled sleep
- Awakening too early
- Inability to go back to sleep after awakening
  (to go to the bathroom, for example)
- Fear of falling asleep
- Anxiety about not being able to fall asleep
- Nightmares/provocative or disturbing dreams

Intervention Techniques:
- Individual, Couples, & Family Counseling
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Guided Imagery
- Focusing
- EMDR
- Neurolinguistic Programming
- Energy Therapies
- Art Therapy
- Dream Work
- Biofeedback
- …and more

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Substance Abuse & Addiction: Professional Member, National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC).

Have you been struggling with one or more substances? Do you feel like the substance is in control rather than you?

If you’re looking at this website there’s probably a part of you that may want to reign in some of these abusive or addictive behaviors. You may want to find a new way to live calmly in the present as well as to look forward to a more positive and in-control future.

For 25 years we have worked with adults and teen-agers with these problems—individuals like you who want to make significant changes in their lives. All of us are licensed PhD doctors who are broadly trained. We specialize in alternative, totally drug-free rehabilitation techniques. We decide together with you which intervention(s) will be best for you. For those of you with multiple abuses or addictions, know that we only work on those substances which you have elected to conquer.

Issues Addressed:
- Alcohol
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Marijuana
- Nicotine
- Uppers
- Downers
- Vicodin
- Neurontin
- Meth
- Ecstasy
- LSD
- ... and all other legal and illegal addictive substances
- Co-Morbidities:
  - Eating Disorders
  - Anxiety
  - Depression
  - Stress
  - Compulsive Behaviors and Soft Addictions
  - Self Defeating Attitudes
- …and more

Intervention Techniques:
- Individual, Couples, & Family Counseling
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Guided Imagery
- Focusing
- EMDR
- Neurolinguistic Programming
- Energy Therapies
- Art Therapy
- Dream Work
- Biofeedback
- …and more

Our Director, Dr. Gildston, has presented several workshops on Substance Abuse & Addictions including:

Differing approaches to the treatment of substance abuse and addiction.
A treatment attack on recidivism in addiction.
Presented a workshop entitled “Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse: Prevention and treatment for a spectrum of artful and dangerous addictions” at the 2009 Annual Conference of the NAADAC, the association for addiction professionals.

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Compulsive Behaviors and Soft Addictions:

Compulsive Activities:
Do you have an activity interest that has taken over your life? If you’re truly happy in that pursuit, like Michael Phelps, you don’t need our help. If, on the other hand, it has become a compulsion which is causing you significant interpersonal, family, and (or) personal grief, we can help you conquer that compulsion. Our licensed PhD doctor specialists have been doing so for 25 years.

Issues Addressed:
- Compulsive Gambling
  - Racing
  - Poker
  - Slot Machines
  - Casino Board Games
  - Stock Market
  - ... and the like
- Compulsive Shopping
- Compulsive Internet Surfing
- Extreme Sexual Excesses
- Pornography Excesses
- Overworking
- Overeating

Intervention Techniques: (See Substance Abuse & Addiction above)

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Embarrassing Bad Habits:
Do you have a bad habit that is causing you embarrassment, annoyance, or problems with friends and loved ones? You do NOT have to continue living with it. You CAN conquer it with our help.

Issues Addressed:
- Skin Picking
- Hair Pulling
- Nail Biting
- Nose Picking
- Repetitive body movements
- Excessive procrastination
- Compulsive lateness
- Extreme cluttering
- ... and the like

Intervention Techniques: (See Substance Abuse & Addiction above)

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Compelling Consumables:
Even though your weight may remain unchanged and you may have no diagnosable eating disorder, do you compulsively consume excessive amounts of junk food? We can help you conquer this extremely unhealthy compulsion.

Issues Addressed:
- Excessive Consumption of Caffeine (Coffee, Chocolate, Caffeinated Soft Drinks, etc.)
- Excessive Consumption of Sugar (Cakes, Cookies, Candy, soft Drinks, etc.)
- Excessive Consumption of Junk Foods (Excess Trans-fats, Sugar, Salt, etc.)
- Excessive Consumption of Chemically Altered Foods (Foods with Multiple Additives)

Intervention Techniques: (See Substance Abuse & Addiction above)

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Self Defeating Attitudes:

Self Defeating Negativity:
Have you turned friends and family off with an excessively negative attitude? If you’re satisfied—even happy—with such consequences, you would certainly not be looking at this website with a desire to change. But if you believe you might be more content by becoming more positive, we can definitely help.

Issues Addressed:
- Hypercritical of others
- Excessively complaining
- Excessively confrontational
- Excessively aggressive

Self Defeating Avoidance:
On the other hand, you may have been behaving in ways that attempt to disguise who you really are because you are insecure or think ill of yourself. If that is the case, you’re probably NOT particularly happy or content. We can help you become more interpersonally courageous and more self-accepting.

Issues Addressed:
- Excessive people pleasing
- Totally non-confrontational
- Insecure or shy with the opposite sex
- Passively aggressive
- Socially anxious or avoidant
- Anxious when speaking publicly or performing

Anger Management:
	Issues Addressed: Excessively angry Outbursts of rage Temper tantrums Verbally abusive Tendency to engage at times in physical abuse
Intervention Techniques: (See Counseling and Psychotherapy above)

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Stress Management:

Personal & Family:

If you can't handle stress you may adversely affect your health and your sense of well-being. In response to both internal and external stresses, shifting moods may turn others off. Relationships may be endangered. Stresses related to work, family, friends, and lovers are addressed.

Techniques for reducing stress are taught, including:
- Meditation
- Self-hypnosis
- Cognitive-behavioral shifts
- Changes in patterns of verbal and non-verbal behavior
- .....and more

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Corporate:

To improve morale and thereby increase output efficiency, we evaluate, analyze, report on, and teach how to minimize interpersonal stresses and conflicts within and between:

Individuals within departments
Different departments
Hierarchical ranks from the highest administrative to the new working recruit levels

For example, a supervisor may be unaware that when he purposefully or unconsciously intimidates a worker, he is likely to impede the worker's productivity or creativity. On the other hand, the worker may not know how to cope effectively with such abuse.

Group programs are customized to reduce stress and create harmony. Thereby such programs enhance morale and increase productivity.

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Division IA
Collaborative Divorce/Non-Marital Dissolution Practice

We make every effort to keep couples and families together. If separation, divorce, or non-marital dissolution is inevitable, however, we aim to help make the resolution of issues as fair, as fast, and as financially reasonable as possible.

Separation-Divorce Mediation:

If a couple on the verge of separation or divorce can remain relatively calm, reasonable, and respectful of and with each other, mediation may be the fastest and least encumbered route to dissolution. We can provide the guidance to help couples work out their issues. The goal is fairness. The hope is an ending without rancor and resentment.

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Collaborative Divorce-Non-marital Dissolution:

If issues are more complicated, the best solution could be to work with collaborative family professionals. Since this is a relatively new concept, let us quote from The New York Association of Collaborative Professionals:

"Now there is a completely new way to handle divorce and family disputes...Transforming how families resolve conflict.

Collaborative family professionals help resolve divorce, non-marital dissolution, prenuptial and postnuptial disputes without resorting to adversarial techniques or tactics.
Collaborative family professionals try to understand both parties and to achieve a fair outcome not only for their clients but the family as a whole.
Our core principles are a "no-court" pledge, a cooperative model of negotiation, and the use of neutral experts, when necessary, to resolve conflict."

This innovative approach to what is typically a sticky situation can help keep your head clearer and your emotions cooler. Typically, included in the team are two lawyers, one for each member of the couple and two divorce coaches, one for each member of the couple (or the couple may elect to work together with one coach). The couple may also elect to include in the team a neutral financial specialist (to work out any monetary issues) and a child specialist (if minor children are involved).

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Separation-Divorce/Non-Marital Dissolution Coaching: Divorce Coach:

We take you through the process step by step, clarifying goals and easing concerns. There are private meetings for each member of the couple with their coach (or together if the couple so elects) and private meetings with the attorney each has selected, as well as combined meetings with coach(es) and attorneys where further differences are hammered out--in a respectful, fair manner. The child specialist and neutral financial specialist may also join meetings as needed.

Our coaches are all NY State licensed mental health professionals. We are fortunate to have Marriage & Family Therapists at our center who have worked for many years with concerns of all types of couples--marital & non-marital--as well as with unique child and family issues.

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Child Specialists:

Our Child Specialists have extensive experience with children of all ages-- from toddlers to teenagers--and all types of special needs--from children with anger, extreme sensitivity/shyness, depression, autism spectrum or other emotional issues to the language/learning disabled and under-achievers. Often a well-adjusted child develops issues during this difficult process about which one or both parents or other members of the team are unaware. The specialist selected by you is there to make certain each child's comprehensive needs are understood by all parties.

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Division II
Self Development Skills

Sports:

For any sport, research shows that guided imagery and hypnosis can help athletes attain effortless concentration and maximum performance.

These techniques can help you train your mind to:
- Streamline skills & focus on the goal, even as you go with the flow
- Enhance confidence
- Take reasonable risks
- Cope with minor pains and fatigue
- Enjoy every moment (good and bad)
- Be comfortable winning or losing
- .......And much much more

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Academics:

Our Center is the place for you if you have one or more of the following troubles:
- Concentrating when you study.
- Blanking out or experiencing panic when sitting for exams.
- Having to read the same text page several times before you "get it."
- Not knowing how to handle a seemingly hostile teacher.
Our university professors have helped students in all grades--from kindergarten to graduate, law, and medical schools.
They will help you learn how to :
- Calm and focus your mind
- Conquer distraction
- Overcome fear
- Maximize performance
- .............and much much more

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Dating:
	For all ages and sexual orientations , we teach you how to : Find potential dates or mates. Present your true self in the best light. Question and sharpen first impressions. Recognize, handle, and separate from a no-win or dangerous partner. Understand and cope with rejection and unwanted affection. ..........and much much more. - Top -

Humor:
	We teach you how best to: Insert humor into situations Tell a joke Recount a funny story Create humorous figures of speech .....and much much more - Top -

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