LP, 24 years of experience
New to Grow
My name is Dr. Bonnie Floyd. I'm a clinical health psychologist. This profession merges my dual interests in clinical psychology and medicine. I assist clients with chronic illness to attempt to live their best possible lives. I work with them to maximize their strengths, and decrease their weaknesses. Even after more than twenty years, I remain passionate about what I do! I have a longstanding interest in helping individuals who are struggling with depression. Major depressive disorder is such a serious clinical condition, and still undertreated. Even individuals with milder forms of depression may benefit from therapy to achieve a better qualities of life.
During our first session, clients will be asked about their initial reason for seeking therapy. I will conduct a structured clinical interview, reviewing your past history of possible mental health issues/treatment; family psychiatric history/treatment; alcohol and/or substance use/treatment; developmental history; educational and vocational history; social support network; legal involvement; religious/spiritual involvement; strengths. I spend time discussing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT. This form of therapy stresses that our thoughts play a pivotal role in triggering our emotions. We can develop maladaptive thoughts, or cognitions, that can trigger uncomfortable emotions, including anxiety and depression. By replacing such thoughts with more rational thoughts, we are more likely to experience reduced anxiety and depression. Finally, I discuss what a client's goals for therapy are during their initial session with me.
My greatest strength as a provider is that I understand chronic illness from both a professional, as well as a personal, perspective. In 1993, I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Living with this chronic illness for more than three decades has provided tremendous insights regarding the challenges of coping with a chronic medical conditon.
I enjoy working with newly-diagnosed individuals who need accurate information regarding their conditions. It is deeply rewarding to discuss their concerns about how their lives will change as a result of their diagnosis. I believe that knowledge resides in receiving information, and that information provides power to cope more adaptively.
I typically use a CBT workbook that contains exercises which clients complete between sessions. This allows for the practical application of CBT concepts in areas including self-esteem, relationships, stress management, dealing with guilt, and coping with addictive tendencies.