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Therapists:
 Susan
Davidson, Ph.D.
992
Great Plain Avenue
Needham, MA 02492
781-444-2367
I am a
Clinical Psychologist with a Cognitive and Behavioral orientation to
therapy. I am trained as both a child and adult psychologist, and see
patients from the youngest infant with feeding issues through seniors
with issues of aging. My areas of expertise include Behavioral Medicine
and Biofeedback, Early Childhood Issues, Parent Training and Anxiety
Disorders.
Cognitive
and Behavioral Therapy
My
orientation to therapy uses a Cognitive/Behavioral approach. This means
that I look at problems from a learning perspective. I try to understand
how a behavior problem arose and what things in the environment are
maintaining the problem. This perspective lends itself to a positive,
action-oriented treatment model. I tend to use a short-term treatment
model for most problems, with a focus on problem solving, coping and
behavioral change.
Behavioral
Medicine and Biofeedback
Behavioral
Medicine is the psychological treatment of medical complaints that have
a behavioral component. For example, many medical disorders have symptoms
that respond better to treatment when the patient is able to stay calm,
relaxed and focused. These disorders include asthma, headache, migraine,
stomach pain, irritable bowel disorder, some dermatological conditions,
chronic pain and sleep disorders. Biofeedback and habit changes are
often very helpful in reducing patients’ distress.
Biofeedback
is the use of computer technology to help patients learn to control
their physical reactions to stress. It is extremely helpful for patients
to see the actual responses their bodies have to stress, and to learn
ways of altering these maladaptive responses.
Early
Childhood Issues and Parent Training
The
early years of life can be particularly challenging for both the child
and parents. I have a special interest in helping families navigate
these early years and get children off to a good start in life. Issues
can include developmental concerns, health-related behavioral issues,
such as feeding, sleeping and toileting problems, chronic illness, social
behaviors and separation concerns. I can consult with parents, pediatricians,
schools and day care centers to develop behavioral treatment plans.
Anxiety
Disorders
A
good deal of my time is spent helping patients manage anxiety disorders,
panic disorders and fears. I again use a cognitive/behavioral approach
to treatment that includes monitoring maladaptive thoughts, learning
to calm oneself and facing fears directly.
My Training
I
received my doctorate in Clinical Psychology from SUNY Binghamton in
1987. I did my internship training at Harvard Medical School in the
Boston Children's Hospital/ Judge Baker Guidance Center, where I specialized
in Behavioral Medicine. I have been a staff psychologist at Braintree
Hospital and Franciscan Children's Hospital/Kennedy Day School.
If you
want to meet another therapist click here.
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