Lisa Arrigo LCSW | Areas of Specialization

Areas of Specialization

Treatment for Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety are complex disorders. Extreme feelings of sadness, anxiety, irritability can be highly disruptive and sometimes debilitating, interfering with the activities of daily living. Effective treatment targets symptom management and reduction while also encouraging the client to better understand and appreciate the underlying causes of his or her condition. I have found that a combination of cognitive-behavioral approaches (CBT), sensorimotor psychotherapy, and interpersonal approaches to treatment is the most effective way to begin. In some cases, medication may ameliorate distressing symptoms thus allowing the client to make better use of the therapy process. In those cases, I consult with the treating medical doctor, as appropriate, to provide the highest level of coordination and care.

Unresolved Trauma/PTSD, and Complex Trauma

Trauma is a deeply personal and often complex response to a variety of negative experiences that impact us on all levels-emotional, psychological, and somatic. Trauma can leave a lasting imprint on both our minds as well our bodies. Some trauma survivors report depression, anxiety, panic attacks, distressing and confusing somatic experiences, and flashbacks. Recent advances in neuroscience, attachment theory, and mind/body based therapies such as sensorimotor psychotherapy, have broadened our understanding of trauma and its treatment. Trauma work requires a collaborative and creative approach to the treatment with a variety of interventions tailored to meet the unique situation of the individual client. Symptoms tell the story and it is our task to approach symptoms with respect and curiosity, with an eye towards integration and healing.

Concerns Specific to the LGBTQ Community

I bring over 25 years of personal and professional experience to my work with LGBTQ clients of all ages and walks of life. Since I started practicing and working with LGBTQ clients, there has certainly been increasing cultural acceptance of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity. While it is gratifying to see the passage of laws that recognize same-sex marriage and to witness the courage shown by many people of all ages to come out to families, friends, co-workers, and peers as gay/lesbian or transgender, or gender curious, many continue to experience discrimination and marginalization. Youth who identify as LGBTQ or gender fluid continue to be at increased risk for depression, suicidality, self-harm, and violence. Adults who come out later in life came of age when identifying as lesbian/gay or transgender provoked scorn, ridicule, estrangement from family, and at times violence. These individuals often carry the after-effects of trauma: shame, self-loathing, anxiety/depression, or in some cases addiction and issues surrounding intimacy. These individuals need to heal old wounds that can get in the way of healthy living and loving. While many therapists are qualified to help, some LGBTQ clients feel more comfortable with a therapist who openly identifies as LGBTQ. My role has been to help LGBTQ individuals navigate the unique challenges they face and to live fuller, richer, and more authentic lives.

Addiction and Recovery

Addiction is a complex but treatable disease that is now defined as a brain rather than a behavioral disorder. Addiction affects both brain function and behavior and negatively impacts the lives of the addict and everyone in his or her circle. As the roots of addiction are quite varied, there is no single treatment appropriate for every client. It has been my experience that the best treatment is holistic, taking into consideration the unique history of each individual’s relationship with his or her “drug of choice.” Shame and self-loathing often accompany addiction. These in turn may make relapse and its devastating consequences more likely. Many of my clients describe feeling enslaved to their addictions and some feel like they are living double lives, concealing their suffering from even those closest to them. Many who struggle with addiction, not surprisingly, have endured trauma, which, when left unresolved, can present obstacles to recovery. I partner with each client to understand and recognize triggers, to challenge and replace addictive behaviors with healthier coping strategies and resources, and to help repair past hurts. This therapeutic process often leads the way to deep and lasting change and lay a foundation for solid recovery.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

EMDR is a well-researched and powerful psychotherapy technique that has been successful in helping individuals who suffer from trauma, anxiety, panic, PTSD, and complex trauma. Once a particular traumatic event is identified, the client is asked to identify a negative belief about oneself associated with the trauma and is guided through a process of “tracking” using bi-lateral stimulation, right/left eye movement, or tactile stimulation, which gently and repeatedly activates the left and right hemispheres of the brain. The act of tracking the movements (body sensations, thoughts, and emotions connected with the traumatic event) allow for a different level of processing to occur in the brain. Clients are often able the review the event more calmly or more completely than before. While the memory of the trauma doesn’t disappear, EMDR can move the experience from the “front to the back burner” so to speak and provide symptom relief and integration of the traumatic event. In my experience, EMDR can be most effective when used in combination with other treatment approaches.

Artwork: Renée Pastolove

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