Specialties

Trauma and PTSD

According to the National Council for Behavioral Health, “70% of adults in the US have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lives. While more than 33% of youth exposed to community violence will experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).”

Trauma is the Greek word for “wound.” The American Psychological Association defines trauma as “an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster.”

Some other types of traumatic events include child abuse/neglect, sexual abuse, grief, loss, and witnessing acts of violence. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the emotional response to a traumatic event. Individuals who suffer from PTSD experience intrusive memories, fear, severe anxiety, agitation, irritability, fear and mistrust.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a crippling mental health condition. It can severely hinder a person’s mental and physical well-being. Cyndi Roberts-Morey is trained and has experience in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Although treatment plans may vary based on individual care, Cyndi is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy), TF-CBT (Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps the mind heal from psychological trauma the same as body heals from physical distress. Eye movements or tapping is used to help resolve  trauma, allowing the brain to make sense of the events and heal.

ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy) uses techniques such as rapid eye movement, in vivo exposure, and image re-scripting in order to recondition stressful memories. The client replaces the traumatic memory with a positive one using their own image replacement during the session. This therapy allows the client to change their feelings regarding the traumatic event without changing the facts. Positive results often occur in 1-5 sessions.

TF-CBT (Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is an evidence-based therapy for children/teens and their caretakers who have experienced trauma. TF-CBT is effective in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, behavior problems, relationship/attachment problems, or school and cognitive problems. TF-CBT helps the client develop skills for controlling behavior, affect, thoughts and trauma processing. It also helps to enhance the client’s sense of safety.

CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy) is an evidence-based therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing PTSD symptoms related to a variety of traumatic events including child abuse, combat, rape and natural disasters. CPT is endorsed by the U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense, as well as the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies, as a best practice for the treatment of PTSD. 
(cptforptsd.com)

DOT Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)

Addiction is an on-going or compulsive need for a substance that has caused problems in one's life.

Many people are not sure if they are addicted to a substance but clearly experience some problems with their use of alcohol or another substance. The symptoms of addiction include cravings for alcohol or other addictive substances, needing more of the substance to feel the effects, past attempts to control or stop the use of the substance, giving up things that were once enjoyable, and continued use of the substance despite negative consequences.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, "7.7 million adults have co-occurring (both)  substance use and mental health disorders."  Although we don't always know which came first, we do know that both need to be treated.

As a Master's level Certified Addictions Professional (MCAP) and a Department of Transportation (DOT) certified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), Cyndi will conduct an assessment and craft an individual plan of care with you to reach the level of recovery that you desire and/or to meet the requirements for you to return to work. Treatment focuses on education to help better understand these issues, as well as action steps to gain relief and better manage reactions to life's stressors.

Mood Disorders

According to the Cleveland Clinic, “a mood disorder is a mental health problem that primarily affects a person’s emotional state. It is a disorder in which a person experiences long periods of extreme happiness, extreme sadness, or both.”  Everyone’s mood changes, many times based on circumstances, however, a mood disorder is defined by a persistent symptom(s) that does not go away regardless of the person’s situation. These symptoms are so strong that they affect the individual’s daily life including their home life, work and/or school.

Three of the most common mood disorders are depression, anxiety disorder and bi-polar disorder.
 

Depression

Depression is when an individual is in a constant state of sadness and or grief even after the traumatic event or loss has passed.

The American Psychiatric Association affirms that “depression affects an estimated one in 15 adults (6.7%) in any given year. And one in six people (16.6%) will experience depression at some time in their life.” According to the Cleveland Clinic, common symptoms of depression include:

 
  • Feeling sad most of the time
  • Lack of energy 
  • Feeling worthless or hopeless
  • Loss of appetite or overeating
  • Loss of interest in activities 
  • Sleeping too much or not enough
  • Frequent thoughts about death or suicide
  • Difficulty concentrating or focusing 

Anxiety Disorder

Everyone has experienced anxiety at one point or another in their life.  However, according to the Mayo Clinic, “people with Anxiety Disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Often, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks).”
These feelings of anxiety and panic:
  • interfere with a person’s daily life and activities, 
  • are difficult to control, 
  • are exaggerated in comparison to the actual events and danger, and
  • can last a long time. 
Anxiety Disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, specific phobias and separation anxiety disorder. (Mayo Clinic and Anxiety and Depression Association of America).

Anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental illness in the U.S.  Every year it affects 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older.  (Anxiety and Depression Association of America).

Bipolar Disorder

The Mayo Clinic defines bipolar disorder as a “mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).”

Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans, or about 2.6% of the U.S. population age 18 and older every year. (National Institute of Mental Health)

Cyndi Roberts-Morey has experience and training in treating mood disorders.   Although each client’s treatment plan is different based on the individual care, Cyndi has utilized Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to treat mood disorders.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

According to the American Psychological Association, “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders and severe mental illness.”  In numerous studies, CBT has been determined to be more effective than other types of treatments and/or medications.  CBT aims to change the way individuals think or behave in order to change how they feel.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Psychology Today defines Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as a therapy that “provides clients with new skills to manage painful emotions and decrease conflict in relationships.”

Dialectical Behavior Therapy addresses four key areas and provides therapeutic skills for each.  First, mindfulness helps the individual understand and improve his/her ability to be “present in the current moment.”  Second, distress tolerance helps the individual to tolerate their negative emotion instead of trying to run away from it.  Third, emotional regulation provides the individual strategies to cope and manage intense emotions and lastly interpersonal effectiveness offers the client techniques in order to communicate more effectively in relationships.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

Psychology Today asserts that “Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) concentrates on finding solutions in the present time and exploring one’s hope for the future to find quicker resolution of one’s problems.”  This type of therapy provides coaching and questioning as a way for the client to find the best solution to the difficulties that are creating instability in their own life.

If you are suffering from a mood disorder as described above, make an appointment to see Cyndi Roberts-Morey and begin your healing process today.

 

Christian Counseling

As a Christian Therapist, Cyndi Roberts-Morey knows that ultimate healing comes from placing your trust and worries in the hands of the Prince of Peace, the Almighty God who cares for each one of us individually.  In Matthew 11:28-30 He says “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (NIV)

Cyndi incorporates her faith in her sessions (based on the client’s permission) as she prays for clients and integrates God’s love and guiding principles as part of the healing and restoration process.

If you are looking for a Christian Therapist who is licensed and fully trained in many of the restorative therapies dealing with Trauma, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorders and Addictions, contact Cyndi Roberts-Morey for an appointment today.  Her experience, training and faith combined are difficult to find in our present time.

Make your appointment today and start your journey into breaking the cycles and patterns that have caused you inner turmoil and distress for so long.  

Florida Qualified Supervisor for Registered Clinical Social Work and  Marriage & Family Therapy Interns

According to the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling, a registered intern must complete at least 100 hours of supervision in no less than 100 weeks; 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy with clients; and, a minimum of one (1) hour of supervision every two weeks.

As an experienced supervisor, Cyndi provides registered interns with structured supervision sessions to  gain the knowledge that they need to confidently and competently treat clients.  Registered interns are equipped with:

 
  • Enhancement of knowledge and implementation/ demonstration of at least two (2) Evidence-Based Therapies
  • Guidance and assistance with licensure test preparation
  • Meetings through telehealth and/ or in-person
  • Support and guidance with cases

Ask about our affordable rates!