Just as physical disorders affect women differently than men, women's psychological needs are also different. When a woman is seeking treatment by a psychotherapist, it is important that she find someone who understands these differences. Bloomingdale Psychological Services understands the particular needs and specific issues confronting women, and we offer counseling in the following areas:

Assertiveness

Many women have been raised to be passive and place the needs of others before themselves. Women who are wives or mothers often define their role as that of the giver and nurturer of the family, and they tend to disregard or deemphasize their own emotional needs. They may feel like they have lost their own self identity and reach a point where they begin to experience anxiety and depression. Psychotherapy can help woman uncover their strengths, work toward understanding their needs and goals, and act more assertively when addressing difficult interpersonal situations.

Body Image

In today's society, there is a significant emphasis placed on body image. Through television, magazines, movies, and other media, young women receive a distorted message regarding appropriate body image. As a result, women may have unhealthy opinions and impressions regarding their own body, and they may develop eating disorders such anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Many women view their body with fear and loathing, sometimes even leading to self-injury. Working with a psychotherapist, women can learn to develop a more positive body image.

Depression

Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression. Hormones can create mood changes before menstruation, known as premenstrual tension; after childbirth, known as postpartum depression; or during the use of oral contraceptives. Studies have shown that women tend to respond to adversity by withdrawing and blaming themselves. Psychotherapy has been proven to be effective in treating depression.

Teen Pregnancy

When an unwanted pregnancy occurs during the teenage years of a woman's life, it can significantly alter their emotional development. Counseling can help young women understand the options available and help them use their strengths to cope with this difficult situation.

Infertility

Infertility in women can be emotionally, psychologically, and financially draining. The inability to become pregnant is often experienced as a significant loss, much like the death of a loved one, and consequently, women can develop a feeling of thinking they are not a "real woman." There are a variety of new methods available for treating infertility in women, but it cannot always be cured by medical technology. Counseling can help women cope with the difficult feelings and emotions associated with infertility.

Domestic Violence

More than 50% of all women will experience some form of violence from their spouses during marriage. This may occur in the form of verbal abuse, limiting behavior, or actual physical attack. Emotional abuse is particularly difficult to identify because it can leave the victim with a sense that something is wrong but also leave her with doubts about her own perceptions of the situation. The abuser may call her names, ridicule her, imitate her, tell her she is stupid, degrade her dignity and self worth, and make her feel worthless. A psychotherapist who specializes in counseling women who have experienced domestic violence or emotional abuse can help you reestablish your sense of self worth and help remove you from the harmful situation.

Rape

Women who have been the victim of rape by a stranger, date, or family member often experience a psychological effect known as rape trauma syndrome. This can be characterized by low self-esteem, low confidence, self-blame, or self-attack, and it can lead to feelings of depression and anger. It can be very helpful for women to process these feelings in a safe, nurturing environment with a qualified psychotherapist.