Individual Therapy for Adults

You may find yourself or a loved one feeling sad, empty, hopeless, worthless, having difficulty completing tasks that were once easy, losing interest and motivation, having trouble getting out of bed, sleeping too much or too little, experiencing weight gain or loss, displaying increased irritability, or even questioning the value of life. These and other symptoms of depression are disruptive and can impact more than just the individual suffering. No matter if the symptoms of depression are mild or severe, no one should go through them alone. Here at Cherry Hill we make sure no one goes through this alone. We take great care to support individuals and their families who are suffering from symptoms of depression with the following theories and interventions:

Do you find you have persistent and excessive or unrealistic worries that are difficult to control or resolve? Do you experience physical symptoms such as restlessness or agitation, shortness of breath, pounding heart, hot flashes or sweating? Anxiety can occur in connection with specific stimuli such as flying or snakes, excessive fear of social situations or performance, or generalized worries about an assortment of concerns. Sometimes anxiety includes panic attacks – a sudden level of discomfort that is accompanied by a combination of the physical sensations listed above, but with an intensity that results in thoughts of losing control or dying. Our therapists have the knowledge and experience to identify the root of your anxiety and develop a treatment plan to decrease anxiety and increase your ability to function and perform. Here are some theoretical approaches and interventions we take to tackle anxiety with our clients at Cherry Hill:

A panic attack is a sudden level of discomfort that is accompanied by a combination of the physical sensations including racing heart or palpitations, trembling, sensation of choking or shortness of breath, sweating, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, numbness, and/or hot or cold flashes. They include an intensity that results in thoughts of losing control or dying. Panic attacks can occur in the presence of a feared situation or come out of nowhere. Persistent panic attacks may lead to isolation, or the confining of oneself to a perceived safe location. Here at Cherry Hill, our therapists understand the intense fear that accompanies panic. We provide the safety, compassion and support needed to pursue effective treatment and identify the root of the panic attacks with the following theoretical approaches and interventions:

How we come to use, abuse, and become dependent on substances and behaviors is varied and complex. It may start as peer pressure, curiosity or experimentation, or the desire for risk and excitement. Substance use and abuse may be a learned behavior and include a predisposition or biological/genetic component. For many it becomes a way of coping, a way to avoid unwanted feelings, or a means of regulating emotional or physical pain. Eventually the substance or behavior becomes a habit forming compulsion, obsession, and preoccupation. Substances (such as alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription medications) or addictive behaviors (such as gambling, pornography, or sexual interactions) may provide temporary relief but in time they lead to unintended consequences and even greater pain. At Cherry Hill, we can help by identifying, reducing, and healing the deeper psychological wounds that accompany substance abuse and addictive behaviors with the following theoretical approaches and interventions:

For most of us, there are only a handful of losses that we are expected or encouraged to openly grieve and mourn: the loss of a parent, a spouse, a sibling, a close friend; and what most would say is the the worst of all, the loss of a child. The process of grieving and mourning, as painful as it is, is necessary in order to experience emotional healing and well-being. There are other losses we experience, however, that we do not grieve or mourn and are often minimized or not acknowledged by ourselves or others. Among them are separation and divorce, changes in parental rights, rejection or abandonment (past or present), job loss or career loss (voluntary or involuntary), a geographic move, incarceration of a loved one, a personal health crisis (self or loved one), retirement, the “empty nest” and more. At Cherry Hill, we can help you healthfully acknowledge and process feelings of grief and loss with the following theoretical approaches and interventions:

Some experience loneliness at the end of a relationship, with the passing of a loved one, or when a friend moves away. Others feel profoundly lonely in their current relationships—feeling misunderstood, invalidated, and even ignored. Whatever the cause, loneliness can feel deeply painful and isolating. Here are a number of theories and interventions we commonly use at Cherry Hill Counseling to help alleviate loneliness:

Do you find yourself having the same intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses that cause disruption in your life? Are you caught in an endless cycle of trying to prevent bad things from happening? Do you find that you are often second guessing yourself? Needing to check and re-check? Do you have routines that other people question? If you are answering “yes” to these questions, you may be experiencing obsessive thinking and compulsive behaviors and we can help. Our team of therapists at Cherry Hill can work with you to identify specific thinking patterns that demand a response. We work with you to challenge obsessive thinking and compulsive behaviors at your own pace, gaining victory over a cycle that has most likely been present for years.

Are you feeling bombarded by thoughts about physical appearance? Having trouble accepting yourself? Is there a continual focus on your weight? Are you experiencing a loss of control over eating behaviors? You are not alone. Here at Cherry Hill we can help treat Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder and other body-image challenges using a collaborative approach, working to identify underlying emotional factors that contribute to these thoughts and behaviors. Here are a few theoretical approaches and interventions we use to tackle eating disorders and body image issues:

Our personal safety may feel in jeopardy due to traumatic experiences, bullying, unpredictable aggression, physical or verbal attacks or even witnessing violence. Sometimes feeling unsafe comes from within—feeling suicidal, hurting ourselves, or repeating behaviors we can’t seem to control. The counselors at Cherry Hill are committed to providing you with a safe and secure environment to discuss anything that may be threatening you. Here are a number of theories and interventions we commonly use to address feeling unsafe:

We all experience anger; anger can be considered a good thing when identifying a problem or moving us to correct an injustice. However, when anger is out of control or destructive, it is a problem. Are you concerned about the frequency or intensity of your anger outbursts? Are family members or friends telling you your anger is intimidating? Is your anger affecting your relationships or your job? Out-of-control anger takes many forms including glaring looks, tone or volume of voice, excessive defensiveness, passive/aggressive behaviors, and rage or violence. Anger is the result of cognitive biases, suppressed feelings and needs, distorted beliefs and unresolved issues. You will find the therapists at Cherry Hill to be nonjudgmental and supportive as they help you explore the nature and cause of your anger, and provide you with new insights and tools for managing and regulating your emotions.

Emotions are a hardwired in all of us. They are more complex than simple feelings, engaging our bodies, thoughts and feelings. Emotions help us identify our needs and desires or identify and injustice. They call for response and are the life of our relationships. At Cherry Hill, we have therapists who understand emotions and are equipped to help you find comfort in them, rather be controlled by them. We will equip you to both experience and manage your emotions so you feel empowered and more in control of your life. Here are a few theoretical approaches and interventions we use to tackle overwhelming emotions:

Are you having difficulty finding or keeping a job? Uncertain about your passions or skills? Entering the workforce for the first time or facing retirement? Many factors impact work success and satisfaction including your interests, values, abilities, knowledge and past experiences. At Cherry Hill, we will help you uncover your strengths and remove the obstacles that prevent you from finding the satisfaction and success you desire in your career. Here are a few theoretical approaches and interventions we use to tackle career difficulties:

For many individuals healthy living includes a sense of purpose in life, and a right relationship with God. Church life is meant to nurture and grow one’s faith and “meaning-full living.” But life’s difficulties and perceived inadequacies can cause confusion, discouragement and disillusionment. The counselors at Cherry Hill Counseling support the local church and hope to integrate the tenants of faith with the science of psychology in a meaningful way.