Doug S. PhD

Overview

I have 20 years of experience as a clinical psychologist, and have been practicing telehealth since 2009. I specialize in the integration of cognitive behavior therapy, meditation and mindfulness for increasing happiness/well being and decreasing excessive negative emotions. I have found that most of our distress comes from both how we think about things and our tendency to overthink. I teach my clients cognitive therapy tools aimed at challenging the negative content of thoughts, and substituting useful problem solving strategies for wasteful worrying. I also teach my clients meditation and mindfulness as forms of "mind training" to learn how to spend less time overthinking about past memories, alternative presents and imaginary futures, and more time being aware of what's really going on in the multisensory moment, which is usually pretty non-threatening, and often quite positive and even wonderful. Finally, some problems require specific behavioral techniques, such as exposure therapy for panic (fully experiencing the panic and realizing it's not dangerous, rather than trying to stop it, which only makes it worse), and behavioral activation for depression (doing what you would do if you felt great, even if you don't feel like it because you're depressed).

Sessions are available in person at partner facilities and via secure telehealth, so care fits the realities of each patient's day.

Specialties

• Unhappiness/Depression
• Worry/Anxiety
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Stress
• Overthinking
• Low Motivation
• Panic Disorder
• Phobias
• Anger
• Insomnia
• Pain
• Existential Issues
• Spiritual Issues
• Decision-Making
• Career Issues
• Relationship Communication Issues

Modalities

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• exposure therapy
• exposure and response prevention
• behavioral activation
• cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia
• meditation
• mindfulness
• Open Focus Dissolving Pain technique
• humanistic therapy
• transpersonal therapy
• psychospiritual therapy
• lucid dream therapy for nightmares
• nondual awareness therapy
• psychotherapy
• relaxation

State License Numbers

14277

Insurances Accepted

Coverage varies by plan. Please confirm benefits with your insurer before your first appointment.

Confirmation Needed

This provider is licensed to serve patients in New York and New Jersey. Please confirm you are a current resident of one of these states and will be physically located there for your sessions.