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Carolyn Schowengerdt is a counselor in Kansas City, MO specializing in counseling and psychology. Carolyn Schowengerdt is affiliated with BetterHelp.
“About Me I was raised a country girl on a farm. Once I experienced the cultural diversity and the many forms of the arts in a large city, I have never longed to move back to the country. But I do love to visit I believe Nature is very healing and now there is research to back that. So I under stand both cultures. I have taken many online seminars on how our diet and our environment impact our mental and physical health. I was a teacher first and then in response to the many problems my students had I went back to school to become a psychologist. I have had 31 years of experience as a therapist. Clients find it easy to talk to me due to my compassionate and non-judgmental nature. I work as one human being with another human being, because but for the Grace of God, go I. A large wall hanging of Footsteps in the Sand, author unknown, dominated my office. This is an excerpt from the poem, ‘ “So I said to the Lord, you promised me Lord that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have been only one set of footprints in the sand. Why when I needed you most, have you not been there for me. The Lord replied, “The times when you see only one set of footprints, is when I carried you”.’ I was raised in a church centered family. I have been associated with a church community for much of my life. I have been praying on Monday evenings with the same group of ladies for 26 years and when there were church choirs sang in the church choir. That is my Monday and Wednesday evenings so I will be offering times for therapy on Tue. and Thurs. and maybe Wed.daytime. I have formed close and lasting relationships in Bible study and other church study groups. My first psycho-educational work is in defining the client role and therapist role in therapy. I work very client-centered. We collaborate on the goals and objectives that capture the issues you have come to resolve or at least improve. I give clients verbal feedback often on how they are progressing on their goals and objectives. Since changes on long term patterns of thinking and behavior come slowly it is often hard for clients to realize the progress they are making without this feedback. I am a skills-based therapist. I also work on the basis of, if you change your thoughts and perceptions you change your feelings and your life. You don’t have to know how, I will guide you and collaborate with you on therapy experimental homework that will change your life. This is not like teacher-assigned homework. It is agreed upon by the client and therapist. Clients who have seen many therapists and been in therapy for years, come to work with me and their hospitalizations stop. They become more functional and more happy within their families, communities, and employability. Yes, change is scary, but I support you throughout the change process and teach you how to build a support system outside of therapy which many of my clients have lacked. That has been much tougher during these pandemic times. During 1923 I have become certified in the treatment of Anxiety by taking a 3 day intensive workshop. I have also become certified as an integrative mental health therapist by taking a 3 day intensive workshop in which part of our curriculum was Nutritional Treatments to Improve Mental Health Disorders. I also have taken an all day CEU on Advanced Mindfulness Therapy that changes the brain. Deep Skill and Successful Experience with Senior Citizens: As an independently contracted counseling psychologist I worked for Dr. John Bopp in Kansas City, MO, to provide therapy to hundreds of senior citizens. Many of these elders lived in assisted living, in nursing homes, group homes, in independent living in Senior apartment complexes. Following assessments, I found so often that their concerns and issues were founded in forms of Grief: grief associated with their aging, grief related to loss of their homes, their familiar circumstances, their nearby family and friend contacts”
Connect with this therapist via:
Online messaging - send messages throughout the day as you have time; relax and give yourself opportunity to fully ponder each step of the conversation
Video Visits - connect over video conferencing software for a virtual session -- almost as if you're there in person
Phone Visits - good old-fashioned technology for those who don't want to worry about appearance or who have might have internet bandwidth limitations; a little bit like connecting with an old friend, but with a counselor instead
Instant Message (IM) Visits - real-time chat -- like a phone call, but over text
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Addictions
Addictions are chronic diseases of compulsive or uncontrollable behavior which may have adverse health effects. Addictions can include substance abuse (such as the abuse of opioids, alcohol, or prescription drugs) and certain non-drug related behaviors, such as gambling or video games. People with addictions may experience an uncontrollable urge to use substances or perform certain activities, although these behaviors may be harmful to themselves and others.
Those suffering with a substance abuse addiction are often unable to cease their behavior without some form of medical intervention. Studies have found that repeat use of certain drugs can figuratively rewire the brain, resulting in alterations to neural pathways associated with dopamine. This means that repeat drug users may become reliant on consuming the substance in order to function. For example, those with alcohol addiction ("alcoholism") become physically dependent on alcohol and may experience extreme withdrawal symptoms when avoiding alcohol entirely; in rare cases, medically unsupervised withdrawal can lead to death.
Behavioral addictions are similar to substance abuse addictions; however, people with behavioral addictions are addicted to a behavior or emotion associated with certain behaviors, as opposed to drugs. In addition to gambling, common behavioral addictions include food, video games, social media, shopping, and pornography addictions. When performing the activity, people experience euphoria (a rush of dopamine) that slowly lessens over time, meaning they build a tolerance and dependency on a behavior. For example, people who are addicted to shopping may need to purchase more items or spend more money to feel the same rush that once fueled their addiction.
Addictions can be assessed through a variety of means such as diagnostic screening, abuse assessment, or psychiatric evaluation. Treatment can help patients recover from their addictions and manage mental and physical health conditions related to their addiction. People with addictions may be treated in rehabilitative treatment facilities, hospitals, and other clinical settings.
Addiction treatment for substance abuse may include:
Addiction treatments for both substance abuse and behavioral addictions may include:
Addiction treatment has expanded to include care for patient substance abuse in non-clinical settings. A number of community programs now provide at-risk substance users a safe place or means to use drugs and mobile doctor's services for drug-associated illnesses and injuries. Behavioral addictions are also gaining increased attention as researchers and mental health professionals seek to better understand and treat them. For example, some researchers are assessing the connections between video game addiction and childhood risk factors. More and more, mental health experts are recognizing the importance of meeting people with addictions where they are at, using more advanced treatments. Addiction treatment is intended to care for people with addictions with compassion and respect.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is one of the most common disorders diagnosed in children. Nine percent of children in the USA have been diagnosed with ADHD. Symptoms, which include hyperactivity and difficulty maintaining focus or paying attention, can last into adulthood for some patients. Boys are four times as likely to be diagnosed as girls, although experts don't know why this is.
There are three main types of ADHD:
When diagnosing ADHD, it is important to rule out other issues that may be causing the symptoms. Seizure disorders, hearing loss, anxiety, and domestic problems are some examples of problems that can cause behaviors similar to those seen with ADHD.
Treatment can include stimulant medications, behavioral therapy to teach patients ways to navigate their world and control symptoms better, and accommodations at school or work. A structured environment (with lots of organization and well-defined rules) seems to help most kids with ADHD function at their best.
ADHD is mainly thought of as a disorder that affects children, but symptoms can last into adulthood for a third to half of those diagnosed. In adults, ADHD has similar symptoms as when it is seen in children: impulsive behavior, difficulty maintaining focus, being easily distracted, or a tendency to fidget. These symptoms can cause problems in a patient's careers and relationships. Additionally, adults with ADHD are at increased risk for substance abuse. Medications can be an important part of treatment for adults, as well as stress reduction techniques and organization skills training. Specialized ADHD coaches can help adults with ADHD manage their symptoms and succeed in all areas of their life.
Depression
Everyone knows what it feels like to get the blues once in a while. But depression is a serious illness that is more severe than a bad day and lasts much longer. Symptoms of depression stop a person from being able to function and enjoy daily activities for weeks or months at a time. It can happen to anyone, and it isn't something that people can control by force of will or "snap out of it."
Some common symptoms of depression include:
We don't yet know what causes depression, but it's thought that it is a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and social influences. Because of this, the most effective treatments for depression combine medication with psychotherapy. Therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be extremely helpful in resolving the negative thoughts and feelings that come with depression. It gives patients new tools that they can use themselves to cope when their depression is making them feel down.
Some of the common medications used to treat depression include antidepressants such as SSRI's (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft) or atypical antidepressants (Cymbalta, Wellbutrin). It's important to remember that these medications have different effects on everybody, and no one medication works right for everyone. Patients may have to try a couple before finding the one that works just right for them. If the first medication they try doesn't work, they should talk to their doctor about trying something else. In extreme cases where medication is not enough, electro-convulsive therapy and hospitalization may be the answer to keeping a severely depressed person safe.
Depression is a difficult illness to deal with, but it is more common than believed and there are many people who can help. With the right treatment, individuals with depression can get back to fully enjoying life again.
She has a state license in Missouri.
Licensed In: Missouri
Carolyn Schowengerdt is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
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Ms. Carolyn Schowengerdt's areas of specialization are psychology and counseling; she sees patients in Kansas City, MO. Clinical interests for Ms. Schowengerdt include anger management, depression, and addictions. She is professionally affiliated with BetterHelp. According to BetterHelp, new patients are welcome to contact her office in.