Heidi F. Christianson, PHD, MS, LPC is a counselor in Milwaukee, WI specializing in counseling and psychology. Heidi F. Christianson, PHD, MS, LPC is affiliated with Froedtert Hospital, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Regional Health Network and THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN INC.
8800 West Doyne Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53226
4805 S. Moorland Road
New Berlin, WI 53151
Connecting with a therapist can be difficult. BetterHelp can help with that. They have an online network of licensed and accredited psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and counselors. You can connect with their therapists via online video, phone, real-time chat, or asynchronous messaging. Easily switch therapists until you find one that fits you. Sign up through DocSpot for a discount on your first month's subscription.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a form of psychotherapy or treatment for mental illness. It comes in a variety of methods, but the basic concept behind all CBT is the same -- thoughts cause feelings, which cause actions. If someone wishes to change problematic behaviors or emotions in their lives, they need to start by changing their thoughts. CBT examines ideas and looks for patterns that may be causing harmful actions. The therapist helps patients modify those thought patterns and, in doing so, helps them feel better and cope more effectively.
CBT is one of the most widely studied forms of psychotherapy, and it has been shown to be extremely effective for a variety of mental illnesses. Some of the issues that respond well to CBT include mood disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse, sleep disorders, and psychotic disorders. In some cases, CBT has been shown to be as effective or even more effective than medication. One of the interesting things that the scientific study of CBT has shown is that CBT actually changes the way the brain works, physically improving its function.
CBT differs from traditional psychotherapy in a few key ways. One of the most important distinctions is the emphasis on the power and responsibility of the patient in CBT. The patient will be encouraged to be the one asking the questions in CBT therapy, and most patients are assigned homework to complete outside of therapy sessions. There is a concept in CBT that everyone has power the power to change how they feel, even if they cannot control the situation, and this can be very empowering for patients. Because of this power shift, the therapist-client relationship is not as critical to success in CBT as it is in other modes of therapy. Patients should still get along well with their therapists, but they do not need a deep, dependent emotional connection to them. Finally, because CBT often treats a specific issue or problem, it is usually shorter in duration than traditional therapy. While some therapies may continue for years, CBT lasts on average just 16 sessions.
Depression
Everyone knows what it feels like to get the blues once in a while. But depression is a serious illness that is more severe than a bad day and lasts much longer. Symptoms of depression stop a person from being able to function and enjoy daily activities for weeks or months at a time. It can happen to anyone, and it isn't something that people can control by force of will or "snap out of it."
Some common symptoms of depression include:
We don't yet know what causes depression, but it's thought that it is a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and social influences. Because of this, the most effective treatments for depression combine medication with psychotherapy. Therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be extremely helpful in resolving the negative thoughts and feelings that come with depression. It gives patients new tools that they can use themselves to cope when their depression is making them feel down.
Some of the common medications used to treat depression include antidepressants such as SSRI's (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft) or atypical antidepressants (Cymbalta, Wellbutrin). It's important to remember that these medications have different effects on everybody, and no one medication works right for everyone. Patients may have to try a couple before finding the one that works just right for them. If the first medication they try doesn't work, they should talk to their doctor about trying something else. In extreme cases where medication is not enough, electro-convulsive therapy and hospitalization may be the answer to keeping a severely depressed person safe.
Depression is a difficult illness to deal with, but it is more common than believed and there are many people who can help. With the right treatment, individuals with depression can get back to fully enjoying life again.
Volume of procedures performed by Heidi F. Christianson, PHD, MS, LPC for Medicare patients.
The highest averages for the top procedures that Heidi F. Christianson, PHD, MS, LPC treated as a counselor in Milwaukee, WI were mental health therapy and health and behavior assessment.
| 62 | |
| 73 |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Heidi F. Christianson, PHD, MS, LPC.
| 13 | |
| 12 |
| 18 |
The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Heidi F. Christianson, PHD, MS, LPC treated were depression, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and high cholesterol.
| 49 | |
| 34 | |
| 20 | |
| 51 | |
| 33 | |
| 3 | |
| 18 | |
She has a state license in Wisconsin.
Licensed In: Wisconsin
Heidi F. Christianson, PHD, MS, LPC is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Heidi F. Christianson, PHD, MS, LPC does not have any reviews yet, be the first to leave a review of Heidi F. Christianson, PHD, MS, LPC here: Leave a Review
Dr. Heidi Christianson's areas of specialization are psychology and counseling. Dr. Christianson's areas of expertise include psychological support for cancer patients, depression, and cancer. She is professionally affiliated with Froedtert Hospital. Her practice in New Berlin, WI is open to new patients as reported by Doctor.com.
