Patient Education

Brooklyn Anne Regina Dayl Smith would like to be your partner in health care. Feel free to ask your questions and share your concerns with us. We will work with you to develop a wellness program for the care and treatment you need.

We welcome you to our practice and look forward to caring for you.

Brooklyn Anne Regina Dayl Smith provides a full range of medical services including the following:

Acute Stress Disorder

Acute stress disorder (ASD) is a psychiatric condition that occurs after an individual experiences or witnesses a traumatic event, such as a death, crime, serious injury, accident, or threat of violence and then develops severe anxiety or other symptoms of psychological distress. Patients who develop ASD have experienced terror and helplessness during the event. This relatively newly defined condition has similarities to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but involves short-term symptoms that occur within a month of the traumatic event and last from a few days days to a month or less. ...

Adjustment Disorders

An adjustment disorder is a syndrome in which the patient experiences psychological and sometimes physical symptoms as a result of a stressful life event. While anyone might be expected to have reactions to a stressor, such as the death of a loved one or a divorce, when the reaction is extreme and interferes with normal functioning for an extended period of time, it is designated an adjustment disorder. ...

Anger Management

Anger management is the process of learning to recognize the signs of one's own encroaching anger and mastering techniques to deal with it safely and effectively. While anger is a normal, healthy emotion, in many people it becomes excessive and out of control, resulting in damaged relationships, employment difficulties, and even physical violence. Uncontrolled anger not only causes disharmony and pain, it is a frequent cause of criminal behavior. In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of how widespread issues with anger are and how greatly they affect the world around us. This has resulted in the development of various anger management techniques designed to channel anger in constructive ways. ...

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Antisocial personality disorder, or ASP disorder, is a psychiatric disorder in which an individual acts in socially destructive ways, manipulating and exploiting others for personal gain. An individual with antisocial personality disorder has difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships, constantly ignoring or violating the rights of others. The behavior of an individual with this disorder frequently rises to the level of criminality. ...

Applied Behavioral Analysis

Applied behavioral analysis, also known as applied behavior analysis or ABA, is a type of therapy that uses a protocol of rewards and consequences to teach new skills, to reinforce desirable behavior, and to eliminate actions that are undesirable. Formerly called behavior modification, ABA is based on scientific studies of human behavior, its components and process. Its methodology has applications in training animals as well as in teaching people. ...

Behavioral Consultations

Children with behavior problems often cause concern among parents as they may not be able to handle certain disruptive or inappropriate behaviors. A behavioral consultation allows our doctor to observe your child's natural activity and interaction, as well as interview the parents, teachers or other involved adults, in order to assess behavior and develop a solution. ...

Biofeedback

Biofeedback, a therapeutic technique that trains the patient to control normally involuntary physiological processes, is used in the treatment of many common stress-related conditions. Biofeedback teaches the patient to apply conscious control to breathing, blood pressure, heart rate in an effort to promote deep relaxation and improve health. ...

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, previously known as manic-depressive illness, is a complex psychiatric disorder that involves sudden and dramatic mood swings between mania and depression. An episode may last for hours, days, weeks or months and symptoms may be severe, sometimes resulting in dangerously impulsive or self-destructive behavior and sometimes leading to depression so deep it results in suicide. ...

Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder, or BPD, is a psychiatric disorder characterized by mood instability, impulsive behavior and difficulties with relationships. The symptoms usually appear in adolescence or young adulthood, but may begin to be evident in childhood.

Risk Factors for BPD

The precise causes of borderline personality disorder are unknown, but there seem to be genetic and environmental factors at play in the development of the condition. Studies of twins have demonstrated a hereditary link to the disorder. In patients with BPD there appear to be abnormalities on the genes regulating emotions and impulse control. Females are three times more likely to be diagnosed with BPD than males. ...

Child and Adolescent Counseling

Mental health is an important part of a child's overall health and has a profound impact on a child's physical health and his or her ability to succeed in school and in society. The mental health of a child is as important as the child's physical health in affecting how the child thinks, feels, and acts, both on the inside and outside. Mental health issues can have a long term impact on a child's ability to fulfill his or her potential as an adolescent and as an adult. ...

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy used to treat psychological and psychiatric disorders. It is based on the idea that the patient's unhealthy behavior is the result of distorted thinking, rather than external situations or other people.

Cognitive behavioral therapy trains patients to become aware of their own damaging thoughts and to consciously alter them in productive ways. This treatment is based on the concept that as patients think more clearly, they will react more rationally, with enlightened self-interest. Cognitive behavioral therapy requires honesty and commitment, but can provide great benefits in terms of mental health. ...

Conduct Disorder

A conduct disorder is a mental disorder that may occur during childhood or adolescence. Children and adolescents with conduct disorders experience ongoing emotional and behavioral problems that may include difficulty following rules, defiant or impulsive behavior, criminal activity or drug abuse. Boys are more prone to conduct disorders than girls and many individuals are also afflicted with other disorders such as anxiety, attention deficit disorder, or post traumatic stress disorder. ...

Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative disorders are characterized by a sense of disconnection from oneself or from certain memories or experiences. Such disorders are believed to be the result of traumatic experience. The sense of being walled off from the trauma is considered to be a coping mechanism to keep extremely painful memories at bay. ...

Fitness-for-Duty Evaluations

When an employee's job performance has been called into question, a Fitness-for-Duty (FFD) evaluation may be ordered by the employer. An FFD evaluation determines whether there are physical and/or psychological issues that are affecting the employee's job performance. An FFD evaluation may also be requested in advance of hiring someone in order to determine the likelihood of success on the job. FFD evaluations are performed for government agencies, the military, police departments and some private companies. ...

Grief Counseling

In recent decades, various types of grief counseling have been developed to help individuals cope with the intense and complicated pain involved in losing a loved one. It has been accepted that loss involves many emotions which must be dealt with before the bereaved individual can successfully move on and adapt to the changes wrought by the death. For many people, assistance in the form of grief counseling is a necessary part of the process. Grief counselors, trained in the discipline, may be clergy, psychiatric nurses, physician assistants (PAs), psychologists, nurse practitioners, social workers, or psychiatrists. ...

Group Therapy

Group therapy is a type of psychotherapy in which several patients are treated at the same time. Group therapy takes place in a variety of settings, including hospitals, mental health clinics, community centers and private offices. In some cases, group therapy is the only treatment employed, but, more often, is used in combination with individual therapy and/or medication. ...

Health Education

Health education is as powerful a tool in treating emotional problems as it is in treating "physical" ones. Health educators are trained to understand how different fields of health overlap and affect one other, and to disseminate their healthcare knowledge to individuals, groups and entire communities. Their job is to improve health literacy so that people can become their own healthcare advocates, and advocates for those close to them. Health education, invaluable in school and university classrooms, is equally as important in wellness programs in government agencies, businesses and organizations, and in outreach programs in rural, suburban and inner city communities. Health education's goal is to promote, maintain and, when possible, restore health. ...

Independent Medical Examinations

When a worker is injured on the job, or has a work-related injury where company liability is an issue, a claims manager for the employer or the insurance company will often authorize an independent medical examination, or IME. This examination is designed to validate the claim before the employer agrees to provide compensation in personal injury or workman's compensation cases.The assumption is made that patients' own doctors may be biased in the patients' favor and may not give a totally impartial reports, so during an IME workers will be examined by doctors or therapists previously unknown to them. ...

Intensive Outpatient Program

An intensive outpatient program is a form of psychiatric treatment that can be particularly successful for patients making a transition from inpatient care or those diagnosed with an eating disorder or substance addiction. It is appropriate for those who may be in need of more comprehensive treatment than standard outpatient care but who are capable of participating in most normal daily activities. ...

Learning Disabilities

A learning disability, also referred to as a learning disorder, is a neurological disorder that prevents a child from learning, or significantly impairs the learning process. A learning disability is not a reflection of intelligence, and a child who has one may be of average or above-average intelligence. A child with a learning disability processes information differently from other children, and has difficulty performing specific tasks. A learning disability may affect attention span, coordination, the ability to understand or use spoken or written language or to perform math calculations. ...

Legal Evaluations

In cases in which it is necessary to evaluate a person's mental or psychological capacity to make legal decisions, a licensed forensic psychiatrist or psychologist is often called upon. If the person whose judgment is being evaluated is dead, the evaluator investigates the circumstances surrounding the deceased's capability to act independently and with full awareness at the time the legal decision was made. Specific evaluations that often need to be made are discussed below. ...

Licensed Clinical Social Workers

Licensed clinical social workers help those with mental health, domestic, child-protective and social service issues. Their focus is on improving the quality of life of the most vulnerable portions of the population. Social workers provide services that include psychotherapy, counseling, and assistance with housing and employment. A social worker who is licensed not only has a master's degree in social work (MSW), but has been certified as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) after completing a course of supervised field experience and successfully passing a clinical examination. A social worker may, through training and experience, specialize in a particular area, such as working with adolescents or post-traumatic stress disorder. ...

Licensed Professional Counselors

Licensed professional counselors are providers of mental health care. They are qualified to perform their duties in various government and nonprofit arenas. In most states in the United States, those who have a licensed professional counselor (LPC) certification are also granted the privilege of engaging in private practice. A few states have a two-tier program in which only counselors in the higher tier are granted this privilege. ...

Marriage Counseling

Marriage counseling, also known as couples therapy, is a type of therapy that helps couples, married or unmarried, work out their conflicts and improve their relationship. These counseling sessions allow for better communication and a way to talk through problems in a controlled setting. Marriage counseling is often provided by a licensed therapist or psychologist, who works as a mediator between both partners, to help them strengthen their bond and gain a better understanding of each other and the problems they may be facing. Some couples may seek marriage counseling in times of crisis, while others may consult with a therapist for guidance with daily marital issues. ...

Other Mental Health Care Professionals

In addition to psychiatrists, social workers, professional counselors and psychiatric nurse practitioners, there are several other types of mental health care workers providing valuable services in various aspects of mental health care. Although specific training is required for each specialty, there are common elements involving patient care, confidentiality and compassion. ...

Neurological Rehabilitation

Neurological rehabilitation assists patients who have suffered brain or spinal cord injury, or who have other problems of the central nervous system, to develop or regain their strength and life skills. Such rehabilitation is designed to foster independence and emotional confidence as it simultaneously speeds the healing process. In addition, it helps family members and other caregivers return to a more normal lifestyle. ...

Pain Medication

A number of different types of medications may be used to reduce pain in various parts of the body. Medications may be helpful in relieving pain, depending on the medical condition of the patient and the severity of the pain being experienced.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter medications are frequently helpful in relieving symptomatic pain that is mild to moderate. Such medications may include analgesics such as acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen and naproxen. It is important for patients to consult with their physicians regarding appropriate dosages and to avoid possible interactions with prescribed medications or over-the-counter preparations they may be already taking. ...

Partial Hospitalization Program

A partial hospitalization program is a short-term form of psychiatric treatment taking place at a hospital facility. It is not an inpatient program; instead, the patient attends structured therapeutic sessions during the day and then goes home. Therefore, a partial hospitalization program is somewhat less comprehensive than inpatient treatment, but it is significantly more intensive than typical outpatient treatment. ...

Personality Disorders

A personality disorder is a psychiatric illness in which the patient's thoughts, emotions and behaviors are distorted in unhealthy ways. Patients with personality disorders tend to be inflexible and may appear irrational, at least at times, to those around them. Over a long time period, their behavior leads to serious difficulties in school, in the workplace and in relationships. For those with personality disorders, life is troubling and often stormy. For them, everyday stresses often represent overwhelming, or even, insurmountable problems. Believed to begin in childhood, personality disorders may have genetic, as well as environmental underpinnings and are often difficult to treat. ...

Pervasive Development Disorder

Pervasive development disorder, also known as PDD or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a group of conditions that affect a person's ability to effectively communicate and interact with others. PPD usually appears before the age of 3. While the specific cause of PDD is unknown, it is believed to be the result of neurological abnormalities and there may be a genetic component to its development. There are several different disorders classified as PDD, each with its own set of indicators, including: autism, Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and Rett's syndrome. ...

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition triggered by a traumatic event during which great physical harm occurs or is threatened. While almost everyone experiences trauma at one time or another, for most people the feelings of terror and helplessness subside over time. For patients with PTSD, symptoms may appear later, last longer and be much more severe than for the average person. There are many reasons an individual may develop PTSD, none of them under the individual's control. ...

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are mental health care professionals who begin their professional careers by attending nursing school, and then going on to complete either master's or doctoral degrees. They are trained to work with individuals and families with psychiatric disorders, and to consult with groups, communities, legislators, educators and corporations. They provide a full range of psychiatric and mental health care, including the administration of psychotherapy and the prescription of medications. In at least 20 states, psychiatric nurses are licensed to treat patients in private-practice venues. ...

Psychology

Psychology is the science and study of mental processes and behavior. A psychologist is someone who usually has an advanced degree, often a Ph.D., and training in research. A psychologist is not the equivalent of a psychiatrist, who has a medical degree. Psychologists can work in a wide variety of settings, including universities, laboratories, private practices, clinics, traditional offices, counseling centers and schools. ...

Psychiatry

Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that deals with mental health. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who work to study, diagnose, treat and prevent mental disorders, including those resulting in substance abuse. These doctors understand both social and biological sciences.

Reasons to Visit a Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist can help diagnose and treat disorders and conditions that affect a patient's mental health. Disorders and conditions include: ...

Psychotropic Medications

Psychotropic medications are drugs that alter chemical levels in the brain, affecting mood, perception and behavior. Such drugs have been in existence for hundreds of years, both from natural substances and chemical derivatives, and have been used by many cultures for medicinal and hallucinatory purposes. While many of these drugs are dangerous and illegal, during the last 50 years new medications have been researched and developed under strict scientific control to become effective, often lifesaving, prescription medications for psychiatric disorders. ...

Relaxation Techniques

Practicing different methods of relaxation may be an effective form of treatment for the symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome and other conditions. Stress can contribute to a range of mental and physical health problems. When stress is present on a regular basis, some individuals find that the symptoms of their health conditions may worsen. Since stress plays a major role in many cases of chronic pain or discomfort, reducing stress through relaxation, may in turn reduce these symptoms. ...

Security Clearance

Security clearance is required for access to classified information of any type. Although necessary for many government positions, security clearance may be required for positions within private companies that deal with highly sensitive information. Once it is determined that an employee needs to have access to sensitive information, she or he has to be thoroughly vetted. Whether employed by a government agency or a private company, an employee's access to classified information should never be given solely on the basis of rank, position or title, and should be revoked as soon as it is no longer necessary. ...

Stress Management

Now that the deep connection between physical health and emotional well-being has been established, stress management is recognized as an important component of daily life. Reducing stress has been found to improve relationships and personal satisfaction, and make students and employees more efficient. In order for successful stress management to take place, a stress assessment must be completed, designed to evaluate a patient's stress level and to highlight any areas of concern. These results are used to devise a customized treatment plan that provides patients with a variety of techniques to alleviate stress and increase comfort, energy level and productivity. ...

Stress Management Through Exercise

Exercise and physical activity can be an an excellent way to reduce and manage stress. Exercise in any form can reduce stress, provide numerous health benefits, and improve the overall sense of well-being for many individuals. People who exercise experience benefits on chemical, physical and psychological levels. They feel more energetic throughout the day, have a better sex life, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives. ...

Family Therapy

Family therapy is a form of psychotherapy that treats two or more members of the same family. Family therapists study and help to improve the dynamics in a family in which one or more members is experiencing mental distress.

Family therapy is based on the premise that, because interaction among family members is so close and intense, the beliefs, personality and experiences of each member affect the well-being of the family as a whole. The designated "patient" in a given family not only has an impact on the other members, but may be the subconsciously designated representative of the entire family's inner turmoil. ...

Tourette Syndrome

Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by repeated involuntary movements and vocalizations called "tics." Although not medically dangerous, it causes serious social and psychological difficulties for those who have it because of its unusual, often disabling, symptoms. Typical onset for Tourette's is between the ages of 3 and 9, with males 3 to 4 times more likely to be affected than females. ...