Welcome to HealthyMind.com

Please note: If you have any trouble with the menus on this site, all of the links in the menus above and to the left are also found below on this page.

A healthy mind is something we all want. Life is not supposed to hurt--at least, not all of the time. It is meant to be a positive, meaningful experience despite difficulties that come along. It can have buoyancy, bounce, whimsy and surprise. However, when problems arise it can be very difficult to experience these things.

Many people are understandably afraid of seeking help with personal problems that are uncomfortable, and at times embarrassing. However, the effort has made a world of difference to many people who have discovered that difficulties are a part of life that they have in common with others. They also have found that their problems usually have genuine, workable solutions that lead to a much happier life.

My name is David Bissette, and I am a clinical psychologist in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. These pages provide basic information about positive "mental fitness" as well as psychological difficulties that people face. For many people psychological fitness is the natural result of growing up in a relatively healthy home. For others, it's the result of hard work overcoming the effects of an early home life that was chaotic, abusive, or depriving.

Often getting better doesn't necessarily take "forever" or cost a fortune. If you've been experiencing difficult circumstances and painful feelings, then these pages may help you decide what type of help you need and where you can find it. If things have been going well for you, then the information about proactive mental fitness may prove enlightening and stimulating, suggesting areas for improving your personal life.

Neurofeedback

In 2004 a client that I was treating for ADD and anxiety (in the context of a "love addiction") found sig­nificant additional help through a form of treatment called neuro­feedback. He discovered it on the internet and had sought out neurofeedback on his own. His results were so positive that I investigated neurofeedback and discovered that it not only can help with ADD and anxiety, but in relapse prevention in addiction treatment. As a result I have become trained as a neurofeed­back provider.

Though neurofeedback has actually been around for a long time, its applications are just now becoming widely known both to mental health professionals and to the public. Rather than expand this site to include information about it, I have written a separate site for neurofeedback. This useful method is particularly helpful for ADD or ADHD, as well as addictions, migraines, childhood problems, anxiety, depression, and a host of other problems.

Neurofeedback has not replaced my regular emphasis on traditional psychotherapy, but for some people it has been a big help in gettting better results than traditional therapy alone. I don't recommend neurofeedback for everyone I see by any means, but if you're interested in learning more about it, click here.

How am I doing?

The good stuff: Positive mental fitness!

• We all have needs that are basic to a reasonably happy life. This list details several of our most important attachments in life. Are you "happily attached?"

• Important in anyone's life is the healthy functioning of his or her "real self." This useful page lists ten capacities of your "true" self. How are you doing?
• Affirming meditations can help. Here's a sample of my favorite ones.

Frequently addressed concerns

• Addictions are associated with tolerance and withdrawal.
  • The basics of recovery
  • Information on the web

• Sex addiction is a recently understood phenomena. Included is extensive information about the nature of sex addiction and how to recover from it.

  • Getting started in recovery
  • Making progress
  • Support groups
  • Professional treatment
  • Helpful books
• Depression comes from a wide variety of causes, even from such varied factors as the effects of sunny vs. cloudy seasons. Here are some helpful tips.

• Relationships... or a lack of them is a frequent problem. Need some practical suggestions?

• Sexual abuse and other abuse are often very difficult to overcome. However, there is plenty of reason to have hope.

• Posttraumatic stress was made famous by returning Viet Nam vets. However, it can result from sexual abuse as well as other traumatic experiences.

• Attention deficit disorder and learning disabilities have gained lots of publicity in recent years. Here's the scoop.

And how do I find help?

What about self-help?

• What about reading books?
• Are there any specific books you suggest?
• What about self-help groups and 12-step groups?

What about professional help?

• What is therapy all about anyway?
• When do I need professional help?
• Will it cost me an arm and a leg?
• How do I choose a therapist?

On the Internet

Here is a directory of links to other internet sources of psychological information. I have tried to choose sites I think are helpful...but things change every day on the internet, and I cannot guarantee the quality or accuracy of what will be found on these pages.

About my practice

• Description of my practice
• Office location
• "Learning to fear love" is a very basic concept I use in much of what I do.
• NEW!  My Blog was added in November, 2007. Here I talk about insights that I have gained from my therapy room or from other experiences...written as they happen. Check back from time to time for material that may be useful to you.
• Vita
• Information for new clients
• Information for current clients
• Information for sex addiction clients
• Information for workshop participants

For students

• A special message for students considering graduate studies in psychology.

Questions and comments

• Click here to send me questions or make a comment about something related to this site

A healthy mind says:

David C. Bissette, Psy.D.        Alexandria, VA       703-705-6161 

© 2004 David C. Bissette, Psy.D.