Therapy for Individuals, Couples and Parents in The Houston Area

Most people who seek out psychotherapy recognize that they are not functioning at their typical level. Therapy and counseling can help you get back to your typical level of functioning or even improve it.

My Approach to Helping

Many people are reluctant to contact a therapist because they feel something needs to be seriously wrong with them. However, that is far from the truth. Most of the people who seek my services are well functioning adults that are going through a difficult time in life. If you are struggling within your relationships, having trouble dealing with strong emotions, or not functioning as well as you have in the past, you may find it beneficial to speak with a professional. Reaching out for help is actually a sign of strength. There is no “one size fits all model of therapy.” Together we can come up with a plan that best suits your needs.

My goal is to help individuals and couples:

Find healthier ways of interacting
Increase intimacy
Decrease suffering
Increase coping

Debbie Grammas, Ph.D. Psychologist of Houston, Bellaire, Texas City

Experienced Psychologist of Houston offers Effective Mental Health Counseling & Therapy

You may be experiencing one of life’s many challenges: going through a life-altering transition, struggling in your relationships, grieving the loss of a relationship, struggling in your work or school, or not happy where you are in life.

Specialties

Stress & Anxiety Disorders

Also known as Social Anxiety Disorder, Fears and Phobias, Panic Disorders, Specific Phobia, and Social Phobias. Anxiety and stress are among my areas of expertise. As humans we all experience anxiety and stress. Together we will explore what is causing your distress to determine the most effective way to deal with it. We will also discuss the ways in which your belief system may be increasing your anxiety and ways to effectively cope. Relaxation training and mindfulness (something I teach) is often helpful to individuals experiencing stress. I have conducted several workshops within the community as well as training at Shell Oil Co. for their quarterly health and safety meeting.

Depression Disorders

Also known as Bi-polar Disorder, Dysthymic/Dysthymia Disorder, or Major Depression. Depression is a common symptom that occurs when life becomes too stressful. I help clients understand the relationships among thoughts, feelings and emotions, and how they impact depression. Once we understand the thoughts that are impacting your depression we can work on ways to challenge the destructive thoughts, and help you decrease your symptoms of depression. In addition we can work on ways to help you cope with some of the stressors that are occurring in your life.

Couples/Marriage Counseling

Also known as Marital & Relationship Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Individual Therapy, Couples Therapy, and Marriage Problems. Two major reasons couples come to therapy is due to struggles in communication and intimacy. Most of us learn to resolve conflict from our parents. Unfortunately most of us didn’t have the best role models. I can teach you ways to communicate so you will both be heard, understood and respected. I always tell couples that if one person wins an argument, you both have lost. The conflict needs to be a win-win to prevent resentment from growing in your relationship. For more information on sex and intimacy, go to the top of the home page and click the Couples tab.

Body Image & Eating Disorders

There are several factors that can contribute to the development of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and other eating disorders. Eating disorders and body image concerns are one of my areas of specialty. When working with clients with these types of issues, we will explore the ways in which disordered eating impacts their life and relationships, behaviors that maintain the disorder, ways to change these behaviors, and ways to cope with the emotional turmoil that occurs. Ways to understand the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviors will also be explored. My dissertation was on male body image dissatisfaction, I have taught several workshops on the issue, conducted therapy with individuals and groups on the topic and I have taught several classes on Body Image at the University of Saint Thomas.

Anger Management

Anger is a normal human emotion. Most men are taught that anger is the only emotion that is socially acceptable to show. In reality it is often other emotions that are driving the anger. The challenge can be to use your anger productively. Together we will explore how you cope with anger, the triggers of your anger, the thoughts and feelings associated with your anger, and ways to help you get your needs met without harming relationships with others in your life.

Grief & Loss Counseling

Grief and loss occurs in many forms. It may not be due to the actual death of a person, but the loss or end of a special relationship. Exploring the many facets of this relationship and the ways in which this person added meaning to your life can be beneficial in moving forward with your life. My hope is that I can help you through this process and help decrease the turmoil you may be experiencing.

Parenting Counseling

So many issues arise in parenting that most parents do struggle at one time or another. Most psychotherapeutic models and treatments can provide some level of stress relief. However, some parents need more than the opportunity to get something off their chest–they actually need information, guidance, and/or proven parenting strategies. In this case, professionals who specialize in parenting and/or developmental psychology may be able to provide the best help. These professionals will take into account the parent’s current parenting style and emotional state in order to develop the most appropriate interventions. Often parents will receive specific instructions that they will be able to carry out with their family at home.

More About Me

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