My Approach to Helping
My passion is helping people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, anxiety disorders and mood disorders. Many people will be affected by an anxiety disorder in their life. While anxiety is part of our experience it can be debilitating. When anxiety is out of proportion to the issues we are dealing with it can affect all aspects of our life. Effective therapy is available. My credentials include - Diplomate, Academy of Cognitive Therapy and Certified Cognitive Therapist. I am also an active member in the International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder FoundatIon. In addition, I use evidence based therapies like Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance Commitment Therapy, and Brief Strategic Therapy. I collaborate with patients to help facilitate the process of change. While I usually work with patients at their own speed I also provide encouragement to increase the motivation to work through challenges and obstacles. While specializing in the treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders I also help individuals with a variety of issues and concerns including depression, stress management, phase of life and interpersonal issues.
My approach to therapycounseling is collaborative but also structured. By definition the therapy I do is brief. My goal is to help my patients as quickly and efficiently as possible so they can live life. My goal for your first session is to have you leave my office with a sense of hope to begin the process of change.
More Info About My Practice
Central Florida On-Line OCD Support Group
Meets Weekly on Mondays at 7:00 pm and Wednesday at 12:00 pm.
The group is facilitated on a HIPPA compliant platform to ensure privacy and confidentiality.
The facilitator of the group is Michael Manchester a Distance Certified Counselor and experienced tele-health provider.
Please contact Mike Manchester to attend the group or more for info on the groups.
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
OCD and OC Spectrum Disorders - Health anxiety. hoarding, skin picking, Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Anxiety Disorders - GAD, Panic, Social, and Specific Phobia
Depression
Misophonia
Had a Negative Therapy Experience?
Often patients come to me at the end of their rope, especially my patients struggling with OCD. Many times patients have been to numerous well-meaning therapists who have not received the appropriate training to treat OCD and Anxiety Disorders. Patients will often tell me that I understand and 'get' them. My training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and evidenced based therapies for OCD (therapies that research proves effective) allows me to help patients who are struggling with OCD. With a collaborative and supportive environment and my trainingexperience I hope to help you or your loved one.
My View on the Nature of 'Disorders'
A patient once said to me in a moment of frustration "I 'am' depressed". I explained to him that his depression did not define him and that he was much more than a 'disorder'. I don't see my patients as an Obsessive-Compulsive or a Depressive. People struggling with a 'disorder' are much more than their disorder. One of the first objectives of therapy is to externalize the disorder and to view their disorder from a different perspective.
Patients who come to therapy often think they are in treatment for their disorder. Actually, patients are in therapy to take back what their disorder stole from them - careereducation, relationships, health, happiness, and well-being. When patients see their disorder from a different perspective they can begin to beat their disorder and take their life back.
Clinicians who offer sliding scale payment structures may offer lower or reduced fees based on an individual's ability to pay. Please contact this clinician for more details regarding their fees or sliding scale policy.