The Cause of OCD

Interestingly, a condition resembling obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been recognized for more than 300 years, and throughout the evolution of psychology, each school theorized about the causes of OCD. In the early 18th century, theorists believed OCD symptoms were a religious malady comprised of intrusive thoughts perhaps

Read more

Neurofeedback Beneficial for Youth Emotion

A new study suggests neurofeedback may show promise in helping young people learn to manage their emotions. As was discussed in detail in a previous blog, neurofeedback is an advanced treatment technique that uses real-time brain activity displays to enhance brain function and teach self-regulation. Although it

Read more

Electroconvulsive Therapy?

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has long been the last stop for individuals when all other treatment seems to fail. ECT has also long had the reputation and perception of being a barbaric treatment. Although anesthesia now makes the procedure itself painless for patients, it still involves the act

Read more

Intro to Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a client-centered method for guiding individuals through ambivalence and toward change. It facilitates change by helping clients generate the self-efficacy and preparation needed for positive change. MI is a conversational approach that relies on reflective listening and evoking in order to guide clients

Read more

Top Doctor Award – 2016

Pasadena Magazine named Dr. Annette Ermshar as a Top Doctor for 2016. See more photos on Pasadena Magazine’s webpage. http://pasadenamag.com/2016-top-doctors-celebration/

Read more

Mindfulness in the Workplace

In 2004, the Chief Executive Officer of the giant health insurance company, Aetna, was on a family skiing vacation at which point he collided with a tree and fractured bones in his neck and back and severely damaged nerves in his arm. He gradually regained mobility but

Read more

Bipolar Disorder Linked To Chronic Pain

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness in which individuals suffer the emotional pain of severe depression and manic episodes. Research has revealed that those who suffer from bipolar disorder are also more likely to experience types of chronic, physical pain. Physical pain by itself is often a

Read more

What is Forensic Psychology?

Interest in forensic psychology has swelled in recent years. This could be in part due to popular television programs such as “Law & Order” and “Criminal Minds”, where criminal profilers demonstrate an uncanny ability to ascertain personality and behavioral descriptions of perpetrators. Although these media portrayals often

Read more

First Step in Addressing Relationship Problems

There are many couples that are taking the courageous undertaking of working on their relationship. There are also numerous individuals who are unhappy in their relationships but do not know where or how to start working on them. Individuals might place the problem in their partner or

Read more

How to diagnose Sex Addiction

This past April (2016), Dr. Richard Krueger from Columbia University as well as the New York State Psychiatric Institute provided a short commentary on the ways in which clinicians, if and when its appropriate, can make a DSM-5 and/or an ICD-10 diagnosis of sexual addiction. As most

Read more