Struggling with Bipolar Disorder?

Are you looking for counseling for bipolar disorder? Have you recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic-depression? Have you been taking medication for bipolar disorder but find you’re still unable to keep your mood stable? Have you recently had a manic or depressive episode? Do you think you might have bipolar disorder but have never talked to a mental health professional about it? If you’re looking for bipolar disorder treatment, I’m a specialist in bipolar disorder and I’m ready to bring my expertise to help you.

The Signs and Challenges of Bipolar Disorder

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Does life feel overwhelming, sad, or exhausting to you? Do you find yourself feeling hopeless, lost, and uninterested in the things you’re doing in your life? Have there been shifts in your sleeping, weight, or eating, either too much or too little? Do you find yourself feeling worthless or guilty? Is it difficult to focus on what you’re doing in work, relationships, or recreation because of your negative thoughts and feelings?

At other times, are you getting yourself in trouble by taking excessive, unnecessary risks? Are there periods of time where you overspend and can’t seem to stop? Have you risked your relationships or your health with sexual indiscretions? Have you become incredibly irritable or angry? Have you bothered other people with your behaviors, such as talking rapidly or having a “big ego”?  Do you sometimes feel like you can’t stop moving, or find it impossible to cope with racing thoughts? Can you go days without sleeping yet still feel wound up? Have other people or mental health professionals told you you might have bipolar disorder? Have you experienced hallucinations, bizarre ideas, or had people tell you you’re acting strange?

Does it seem like there is no one who can help you with bipolar disorder or would understand the challenges of having it? Don’t feel you can confide in your friends and family because they might not understand you? Maybe they will react with fear, which is common with bipolar disorder?

These are the many signs and challenges of bipolar disorder, and untreated, they can have devastating effects on your life. Fortunately, bipolar disorder is much more treatable than most people assume, if  it’s recognized and diagnosed properly.

You Are Not Alone- Bipolar  Disorder Treatment Can Help!

Bipolar disorder is much more common than people realize. It’s thought that 1 out of 50 people, perhaps even 1 out of 25 people have some version of it. Most of them are not diagnosed, even if they’ve seen a mental health professional. They don’t get help and struggle unnecessarily for years.

You don’t have to fight bipolar disorder alone. I can bring my expertise to your challenges and together we can help get your life back on track. Together, we can help you create a life that feels vitalized, meaningful, and worth living. For many people with bipolar disorder, they never felt what it’s like to be free of mood swings. There are proven ways out of what may feel like an ongoing struggle with bipolar disorder.

But Wait. . .

I’m already taking a mood stabilizer (or other medications), and it’s only helped somewhat.

Medication is essential for treating bipolar disorder. However, for many people, it’s not enough. It may be caused by genetics and chemical imbalances, but you’re a human being. Your life still has a full set of challenges that need to be addressed for you to live fully.

Medication can be very helpful in preventing mood episodes, but most people will also need to make lifestyle changes and learn to make better choices. Many people respond better to a combination of talk therapy and medication than either alone. There are many reasons to pursue counseling in addition to medication for bipolar disorder.

If you are taking medication, I’m happy to consult with your doctor or psychiatrist about your treatment to help insure the best possible outcome for you. Although I can’t prescribe medications, I am knowledgeable about mood stabilizers and other medications for bipolar disorder. Together, we can determine if your medications are working adequately or need to be reviewed with your doctor or psychiatrist so you’re getting the full benefits.

If you’ve recently been diagnosed because you had a depressive or manic episode and have just begun medication, it can be very difficult to wait for it to have full effect. I can help you get through this time. I think it’s essential you have other coping strategies because medication often requires months or even years of adjustments before it has full effect.

I’ve have never really become stable due to bipolar disorder. Is it possible to really change?

Many people live much or most of their lives feeling “moody”. Sometimes feeling down or up seems so “normal” that they don’t even realize life could be different. Fortunately, the techniques and strategies I use in therapy are designed to make lasting, significant changes to help with your current mood episode and decrease the likelihood of further mood episodes, even after discontinuing therapy.

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There are a lot of therapists in my area. Why should I choose you?

That’s a great question! Here’s the things that set me apart:

  • I specialize in treating bipolar disorder. I use specific treatments that are effective for bipolar disorder every day in my office. While I work with people who recently had their first mood episode, I primarily see people who have struggled with bipolar disorder their whole life. Most of my clients come in because of their depression, though I also work with people whose mania has led them to hallucinations, delusions, and very risky behavior.
  • Unfortunately, many therapists are unfamiliar with bipolar disorder, even though it’s very common. It seems to be an area that has been lost on the mental health community. Many of my clients come in with ongoing problems and don’t know they have bipolar disorder. If you think you might have bipolar disorder or have found regular depression treatment ineffective, I can give you assessments to help you determine if you do have bipolar disorder.
  • My primary approaches to therapy areAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) which are based on empirically-validated, researched theories that are proven to work with bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions.
  • I use a wellness and holistic approach to bipolar disorder. This includes reviewing and improving lifestyle areas including nutrition, exercise, and sleep. I provide specific information about how to make changes as well as support when they seem difficult to achieve.
  • I utilize mindfulness in therapy. It’s is a powerful tool that is transforming psychotherapy. I have a decade of personal practice with mindfulness and a comprehensive system of techniques to help you with your specific struggles. I currently run a mindfulness-based therapy group to help people with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
  • In addition to my private practice, I teach classes at an intensive outpatient program called The Wellness Treatment Center. This is a special therapy program for people who are more or less debilitated by depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. We have excellent results at the program. My experience working with people who are struggling that much has given me skills and insight that I want to pass on to you.

Let’s Do Something About This!

I can help you get your life back from bipolar disorder, I’d love to discuss how I might be helpful. You can A man with glasses sitting on the groundcontact me using the pop-up form below to schedule a free 30-minute consultation, or you can call me at my confidential business number: (303) 748-4730.

I look forward to speaking with you about your concerns and am happy to answer any additional questions about how I might help you!

-Robin