Pain, sadness and Fear are OK
Ruminating & Suffering: Not necessary.
Learn how to Say NO to Suffering.
Welcome to My Practice in Houston, Texas and Washington DC. In my personal and professional experience, I learned that while experiencing pain fear, and sadness are important and necessary aspects of life, suffering is not necessary and mostly self imposed. I am a collaborative and interactive psychologist. My goal is to first, learn from the patient what hurts, but also, in what way they prolong their suffering. I help my patients to accept the possibility that all emotions are equally valuable. I allow them (at least in my office) to explore and experience a wide spectrum of emotions in response to different aspects of their reality. Suffering often happens as a result of thinking that having negative feelings is AWFULL.
Problems are often created when we stop the normal flow of emotion-cognition-action. We try and "forbid" certain emotions, or we elevate other emotions.
Specializing in multi generational approach to solving behavioral, health, or mental health problems, I help patients address long standing positive and negative familial patterns related to the permission to talk about problems openly. As we develop tolerance to imperfection, to the possibility that no one is above pain, sadness, and fear, we can stay in the rational realm, when addressing life challenges.
Orna Goldwater, PhD
Specialties
I am a collaborative and interactive psychologist. Practicing independently, Since 1996, I bring to my patients a common sense approach to understanding and managing psychological and other life problems. As a clinical, family & health psychologist, I specialize in treating symptoms associated with Depression, Anxiety, adjustment disorders that impact life, coping, and may create or complicate physical problems. I also treat conditions that are defined by psychological as well as physical symptoms such as: ADD/ADHD, Addictions, Fibromyalgia, Chronic conditions such as muscular dystrophy and Parkinson's. On many occasions I must include other professionals such as psychiatrists, Family Physicians, Neurologists, or Rheumatologists when working with patients with complex health problems.