ADHD, Depression, Anxiety and More
Get your questions answered
Russ hopes that the following answers to frequently asked questions will help you as you decide a course of action in dealing with ADHD, Depression, Anxiety or whatever issue you may have. Many ADHD questions and ADHD symptoms are addressed. If you have any questions after you explore this page please feel free to call Russ at 972-506-7111:
What is ADD or adhd?
ADD is Attention Deficit Disorder. However, that term is no longer used professionally. The American Psychiatric Association publishes a work entitled the Diagnostic Criteria from DSM-V (most recent version). This work is periodically updated. Years ago they updated the term ADD to ADHD. See ADHD below.
ADHD is Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. There are three aspects to ADHD. First, there is inattention (years ago was called ADD). This describes a person who has symptoms such as failing to give close attention to details or who makes careless mistakes. It also describes someone who has difficulty sustaining attention, doesn’t listen well, does not follow through on instructions, is easily distracted and more. The second aspect is called hyperactivity/impulsivity. People with hyperactivity often fidget or squirm, run around or climb excessively (may be restlessness in adolescents and adults), is often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”, and often talks excessively. Impulsivity occurs when a person blurts out answers before questions have been completed, has difficulty awaiting turn, and such like. You can be ADHD predominantly inattentive (which used to be ADD), ADHD predominantly Hyperactive, ADHD combined type (have some of both). The therapist will help determine which type you have.
How does Add/ADHD cause Problems?
Students with ADHD often will have difficulty getting homework turned in, will be distracted in class, will have difficulties listening to the teacher and often get poor grades (sometimes to the point of failure).
ADHD causes difficulties for adults also. It can keep you from focusing and doing what you are supposed to do in a timely manner. It can cause you to be easily distracted and reduce your productivity. It can cause you to be poorly organized, lose things, etc. Regardless, ADHD has been the root problem for many adults who have lost jobs. If this is you it can be addressed so that you can function more efficiently on the job.
How does ADHD cause problems in the home?
Young children, adolescents, husband or wife may be asked to do something and some time later it is not done. He or she may have been distracted and started something else only to forget what they were supposed to do. When children are asked to do multiple things at one time they may complete one or two items and believe they are finished when in fact there is still three things left to do (this happens with adults also).
Can ADHD be fixed?
Russ wrote a book entitled, Bipolar or ADHD. This book describes many strategies that are helpful when working with either bipolar disorder or ADHD disorder. In regards to whether or not ADHD can be fixed, in a sense it can. There are two aspects to addressing ADHD like behavior. First, you may need to take medication that manages the disorder. This can be life changing for many individuals. Second, you will need to learn compensatory skills to help deal with behaviors that contribute to the ADHD issues. Unhealthy, learned behaviors have become habitual and are now part of how you respond to a variety of situations. These issues can be addressed through counseling. Two more books have been written to address these issues. First, Russ wrote a book titled, Executive Function Disorder and it focuses on the executive function issues individuals with ADHD, Bipolar, Asperger and other Brain Based disorders experience. Multiple strategies for school related issues are identified for all the basic executive function issues that individuals with ADHD, ADD, Bipolar or Asperger experience. He has recently written a book titled, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a parent guide for dealing with ADHD and has strategies, worksheets, skill sets that are very helpful for dealing with all of the common issues that individuals with ADHD experience. The Adult companion book is being worked on at this time.
What is bipolar disorder?
It would take pages to discuss it in detail, so here is a brief description. Bipolar disorder was once called manic depressive disorder. Bipolar disorder often consists of behaviors that are extreme. The person may act 'normal' or experience mania (or hypomania) and a degree of depression at various times.
Mania: The individual may have ‘mania’. When the individual is manic he may be irritable, angry, and prone to destructive outbursts experience elation, be extremely cheerful, be grandiose in his thinking, and may also believe that he has powers that are superior to others. He may also have an ongoing issue with being overly energetic which may look like hyperactivity. In the evening he may have little need for sleep. His thoughts may race, and he may speak fast and be highly distractible and more.
Depression: When an individual experiences the depressive aspect of Bipolar disorder he is often sad and/or very irritable. As a result, he will often cease to enjoy activities that he normally finds enjoyable. He may not openly complain about being sad. However, he will often be tearful, whiny and will complain of being bored. He may also experience a lack of motivation, have a tendency to be inattentive, and be off task. He may experience many physical symptoms, e.g., headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches or tiredness. He may also have frequent absences from school, and have poor school performance. At home he may talk about, or actually run away from home. He will often complain, have irritability, experience unexplained crying, social isolation, poor communication, and be extremely sensitive to rejection or failure
How can you help someone with Bipolar Disorder?
Russ wrote a book entitled, Bipolar or ADHD. This book describes many strategies that are helpful when working with either bipolar disorder or ADHD disorder. There are multiple things that can be done to help someone who has bipolar disorder. Structure in the environment is very important. Reducing stress is another very important element in the therapy process. In most cases the individual will need medication. This is often extremely important for those who have serious issues with Bipolar Disorder. Each case is a bit different and has specific needs, so Russ individualizes a treatment plan for every person who comes to his office. Russ also wrote a workbook that has several strategies for all aspects of Bipolar Disorder and a daily monitoring form in it (Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide).
Do you work with adults and children who have bipolar disorder?
Yes! I work with individuals of all ages who have bipolar disorder. Have you opened a new location, redesigned your shop, or added a new product or service? Don't keep it to yourself, let folks know.
what is depression?
Clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger or frustration interfere with everyday life for an extended period of time. Refer to bipolar section above for additional information about depression. Russ wrote two books for depression and anxiety. One is for children and adolescents and the other is for adults.. They are filled with wonderful strategies that can be used.
How can you help someone who has depression?
There are multiple strategies that can be implemented to address depression. If the individual has severe clinical depression it may be essential to consider medication. In addition, therapy has shown to be very beneficial for those who are exhibiting any aspect of depression. There are multiple therapeutic methods that can be helpful. The method or methods used will depend on your personal needs.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety occurs as people suffer from persistent worry and tension that is much worse than the anxiety most people experience from time to time. The main symptom of is an exaggerated or unfounded state of worry and anxiety, often about such matters as health, money, family, or work. Although people with General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) may realize that their anxiety is excessive or unwarranted, they are unable to simply stop worrying.
Anxiety can also take on the form of panic attack, post traumatic stress, separation anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia and other phobias, acute stress disorder, agoraphobia (anxiety about being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing, or in which help may not be available in the event of have an unexpected or situationally predisposed panic attack or panic like symptoms).
How can you help someone who has stress or anxiety?
Anxiety can overwhelm you and needs to be addressed before it causes further emotional and physical damage. There are numerous methods that can help with anxiety. A few that are used in this office are: Cognitive-behavioral counseling, biofeedback, hypnotherapy, and stress management techniques. It is important to get to the root of the anxiety in order to truly address it, so counseling is extremely important. Customers have questions, you have answers. Display the most frequently asked questions, so everybody benefits.
What kind of counseling do you do?
I have been trained in multiple methodologies. However, I lean towards being solution focused because most people need to see relief as soon as possible. I have been trained in Psychoanalysis, Cognitive, Cognitive Behavioral, Rogerian (communication model), Behavioral, Gestalt, Imago Relationship Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Reality Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, and more. Regardless, it is important to find the method that will fit the client's needs the best.
Do you do Christian Counseling?
I am a Christian who does professional therapy. However, I do not utilize the Bible unless someone requests it. So, when a person needs or wants Christian Counseling I can provide it.
Do you do Marriage Counseling?
Yes. I have written marriage therapy manuals for counselors that provides multiple strategies to help couples deal with a variety of issues. I have also presented this system and the strategies that go with it at local, state and national conferences.
Do you do counseling for couples?
Yes. I have actually written a couple therapy manual for counselors the provides multiple strategies to help couples deal with a variety of issues.
Do you work with adolescents?
Yes!
Do you work with children?
Yes, but I often do family systemic therapy to address children's issues and needs. In other words, the whole family is involved. I often work with the parents to address issues children have at home or school. I have found that it is much more effective and produces the results parents want much faster when done this way.
Do you use hypnotherapy?
Yes, but only when the client wants me to and when it is appropriate. I have had years of training in clinical hypnotherapy and am certified by the National Board for Clinical Hypnotherapists (NBCCH). I have developed a method that I teach to my clients that can be used at home to address a variety of issues.
Do you use biofeedback in therapy?
Yes. I have found that utilizing biofeedback enhances treatment for individuals who need to reduce stress, anxiety, phobias and for those who have ADHD or ADD issues. I use it when it is appropriate for my clients.
Do you do video chat for therapy
Yes. For some people, going to therapy or life coaching in person may not be feasible. Multiple possible issues may get in the way of someone being able to come to therapy. If you are having difficulty obtaining therapy because you live in a rural area and a therapist is not readily available, video chat may be the solution. This is also true if you are home bound and don’t have the ability or opportunity to see a provider in person. If you travel frequently, are overly busy, nervous about going out in public, concerned about privacy, or any other reason that makes it difficult for you to come into an office, you may want to consider Video Chat.
testing services
Do you provide testing services for children and adolescents who may have ADHD or ADD?
Yes! Russ tests for ADD or ADHD for children and adolescents. Depending on how much information you want he can put together a test battery that meets your specific needs.
Do you provide testing services for adults who may have ADHD or ADD?
Yes! Russ tests for ADD or ADHD for adults. Depending on how much information you want he can put together a test battery that meets your specific needs.
Do you provide testing services for children or adolescents who may have Bipolar Disorder?
Yes! Russ tests children and adolescents for Bipolar disorder as well as other issues (asperger, anxiety, ADHD, ADD, etc.)
Do you provide testing services for adults who may have Bipolar Disorder?
Yes! Russ tests adults for Bipolar disorder as well as other issues (asperger, anxiety, ADHD, ADD, etc.) I wrote a book entitled, Bipolar or ADHD that provides multiple strategies for anyone who has this disorder.
Do you provide testing services for children and adolescents who may have conditions such as, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Yes. Russ worked both in private practice and for the public schools for years doing assessments. He did psychological evaluations as an Licensed Specialist in School Psychology for the schools for years. He continues to do psychological evaluations for school districts when he is under contract to assist them. He does other testing in his office for all emotional or behavioral issues.
Do you provide testing services for adults who may have emotional conditions such as, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Yes. I have tested children, adolescents and adults in my private practice for over 30 years.
Do you provide testing services for Family of Origin issues?
Yes. Russ developed an assessment that measures Family of Origin issues that is used in the office. It measures multiple family of origin roles, codependency roles, unhealthy communication styles and unhealthy family of origin rules and more.
Do you provide testing services for Codependency issues?
Yes. Same as shown in Family of Origin issues. Adult child characteristics are also measured.
Do you do Independent Individual Evaluations for schools and parents?
Yes. Russ continues to do Individual Evaluations (IEE’s) and psychological evaluations for schools and parents when he am under contract with a public school to do so.
Do you do Psychological Evaluations for parents or schools?
Yes. Russ continues to do psychological evaluations for schools and parents when he is under contract with a public school to do so.
Do you do learning disability testing including intelligence, learning styles, executive function issues, and achievement?
Yes. Russ has worked both in private practice and for the public schools for years doing assessments. He continues to test for learning difficulties, intelligence, learning styles, executive function issues, ADD, ADHD, achievement, etc. As a result of his school background, he provides very practical strategies to address all identified issues that become evident as a result of the testing. There will always be strategies for both home and school use when he writes an interpretive report unless the client does not want strategies.
Questions?
If you have any other questions please feel free to contact Russ at 972-506-7111. He will get back to you as soon as he can if he is in session or out of the office. ,