General Psychiatry

We believe in a holistic approach to mental health, recognizing that true wellness involves more than just the absence of illness. Our goal is to support you on your journey to mental well-being through a combination of evidence-based medication management, psychotherapy, and positive lifestyle interventions. We honor the innate wisdom within as a source of empowerment and transformation that helps bring back into alignment the wellness that is always present at the core of your being. We understand that seeking help for mental health can be a daunting step, and we are here to make that process as comfortable and empowering as possible. Our providers take a collaborative approach to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs, strengths, and goals, because your voice and preferences are integral to the care you receive. By combining medication when necessary with psychotherapeutic techniques and lifestyle changes such as exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness practices, we help provide you with effective tools that you can implement in daily life outside of the clinic.   

It's important to recognize when to seek help. Some of the possible reasons for seeking mental health treatment from a psychiatrist include:

• Sudden onset of mental health symptoms with no prior mental health concerns

• Having a persistent mental health condition that would benefit from ongoing care

• Suffering from complex symptoms which have been difficult to diagnose

• You have thoughts of self-harm or suicide

• You would like to discuss and potentially incorporate psychotropic medications to help manage your symptoms

• The treatment you are currently receiving has not been effective and/or you would like a second opinion

We acknowledge that your own treatment goals will be unique and dynamic, and recognize that the most beneficial, sustainable outcomes are achieved through an individualized approach that explores the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual barriers to healing. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and seeking support is a true act of compassion towards oneself. We are committed to de-stigmatizing mental health and promoting an environment where you feel safe, understood, and respected. Together, we will help you to achieve a balanced and fulfilling life

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is “awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally (Jon Kabat-Zinn). Mindfulness is nothing more mysterious than developing our ability to pay attention to our immediate experience. We are often preoccupied with thoughts about the past or the future or fantasies about what should have been. While these thoughts may be innocent and harmless, they often contribute to stress, fear, and suffering.

By practicing mindfulness meditation, we learn to be aware of what is happening in the present moment. This awareness does not judge, resist, or cling to anything. By simply being mindful, we learn to free ourselves from our habitual reactions and begin a friendlier relationship with our experience, ourselves, and others.

Developing this skill can help reduce stress and improve attention, memory, and concentration. In this way, it is an essential aid in managing depression, anxiety, chronic pain, addiction recovery, and relapse prevention.

Mindfulness practice can be a powerful tool due to its ability to increase tolerance of painful emotions, enhancing our ability to remain attentive even in emotional discomfort. In light of this, mindfulness skills are integral to clinical practice at the Center for Wellness and Change. Laura Meyer completed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training in 2008 and now provides specific mindfulness-based individual and group counseling at CWC. 

https://med.virginia.edu/mindfulness-center/ - The UVA Mindfulness Center offers intensive training courses to develop mindfulness skills – the practice of focusing our attention on our inner experience at the moment that it is happening.

University of Massachusetts Medical School Center for Mindfulness – Research and training on mindfulness meditation’s role in health care, stress reduction and medicine.

UNERGI

Integrative Sessions for Personal Growth

UNERGI sessions are for personal self-care and exploration of personal growth and spirituality. Ute Arnold, the creator of UNERGI, says, "The Body is a mirror; it can provide access and information and healing presence, not always available at a conscious level. The awareness gained brings into consciousness that which is present in us all, our natural inclination toward self-awareness and appreciation for ourselves and our being."

UNERGI is a process of discovering what positive energy exists within us. Once we have an awareness of that energy, it can be utilized in moving us towards personal growth.

Many people feel that they have yet to reach their best state of wellness and well-being. UNERGI is a powerful tool to help achieve this. An increased sense of well-being may result in greater ease in relationships, social situations, or being at peace within yourself.

UNERGI is an experiential process where the client uses several modalities for self-exploration and integration of body, mind, and spirit. It is gentle and self-initiated. Clients work with polarities in their body during sessions, understanding and acknowledging hurts or blocks within. The facilitator helps the client identify their well-functioning "parts." Then, using these identified parts, they amplify their energy towards other parts that need improved functioning. In this way, they move toward wholeness, ease, and integration.  

UNERGI work brings together many other therapeutic modalities, including Gestalt, Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, chakra systems, and dreamwork. The experiential UNERGI process benefits people interested in exploring their wholeness through self-acceptance and love in a non-judgmental, caring, and safe environment. 

UNGERI is an experiential, self-defined process for personal growth.  The sessions do not claim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, physical or medical condition. 

Jim Clark is a 1997 Graduate of the three-year training program in UNERGI work.