Category Archives: Psychotherapy & Health

Remote Administration of the Comprehensive Psychological/Psycho-educational Evaluation

The International Psychological Services center of the Tree Group has been providing treatment services online; however, the comprehensive psychological/psycho-educational evaluation has been provided offline only as various assessment tools are needed to carry out the evaluation. Nevertheless, in times when travel is restricted and social distancing is necessary, the Tree Group has become more aware of those who need comprehensive psychological/psycho-educational evaluation from abroad. Therefore, the Tree Group has decided to provide remote administration of the comprehensive psychological/psycho-educational evaluation by following the protocols updated by Pearson regarding Tele-practice of psychological and educational evaluations.

Where will the comprehensive psychological/psycho-educational evaluation take place?

The clinic has been providing years of online services to those in both Korea and abroad using diverse online platforms. Recently, due to the global pandemic, theTreeGroup has created and actively utilized a virtual office on Teams to provide better services online. The comprehensive psychological/psycho-educational evaluation will also be held on Teams to those who might find it difficult to visit our clinic in person.

How is the comprehensive psychological/psycho-educational evaluation arranged?

The clinic receives all referrals and contacts from international schools and parents. The school can make the initial contact; however, we then encourage the parents to call us for further information. During the first few contacts, an intake interview along with a comprehensive psychological/psycho-educational evaluation can be arranged to create a good diagnostic picture of the child or/and to make an effective treatment plan. The results of the intake interview and the comprehensive psychological/psycho-educational evaluation can also be shared with the school under the parent’s consent.

What is involved in the comprehensive psychological/psycho-educational evaluation?

The clinic uses various scientifically proven assessments to understand a child’s cognitive and academic abilities as well as the child’s behavioural and psychological issues. Below are several of the assessments included in the evaluation.

The content of the assessment varies slightly depending on the age of the child. The clinic also uses the Korean version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fifth Edition to those who are bilingual. The inclusion of both the English and Korean versions of the assessment is to have a better understanding of the child’s language development and state.

How is the remote administration of the comprehensive psychological/psycho-educational evaluation different to that provided in person?

The parents will be more actively involved in the evaluation as there are subtests within the WISC-V that requires timing and handling of response booklets. Prior to the evaluation, the parents will be provided with guidance on how to support their child during the evaluation. The WISC-V Block Design subtest which is used to measure a child’s visual-spatial coordination abilities will be excluded from the evaluation as a professional is needed to guide the child in using the evaluation tool. The performance results from the Visual Puzzles subtest will be substituted in calculating the scores. More information regarding the tele-practice of WISC-V can be found in the link below provided by Pearson.

https://www.pearsonassessments.com/professional-assessments/digital-solutions/telepractice/telepractice-and-the-wisc-v.html#

For further information or/and arrangement of the comprehensive psychological/psycho-educational evaluation please contact us at (+82)2-557-8823 or send us an email to ips@treegroup.onmicrosoft.com.

지금, 나는 행복합니다

"다른 곳에서는 전혀 짚어주지 않았던 발달장애까지 말씀을 해주셔서 그 사건 이후의 혼란을 정리하고 진정한 나를 되찾을 수 있었던 것 같습니다."
PE DBT 치료 내담자
지속노출치료와 DBT를 약 2년간 진행했습니다. 치료 이후 트라우마 관련된 기억이 불쑥불쑥 떠오르는 증상이 사라졌고 그것과 동반되는 분노 발작의 세기가 줄어들었습니다. 10년간 트라우마때문에 내 본 모습을 잃어버렸다고 느꼈는데 원래의 나를 되찾은 것 같습니다. 그전에는 책 읽고 혼자 있는 것을 좋아했지만, 그 일 이후로 그러지 못하게 되었는데 다시 그런 취미 생활을 즐길 수 있게 되었습니다.
 
처음에 상담을 받았을 때부터 다른 곳과 달리 성폭력 트라우마에 전문적이라는 인상을 받아서 이 곳에서 상담을 시작했습니다. 상담을 받는 중에는 오히려 전보다 더 많이 울게 되는 것 같아서 힘들 때도 있었는데, 어느 순간 증상이 많이 나아진 것을 스스로 느끼고 놀랐었던 기억이 납니다. 또한 다른 곳에서는 전혀 짚어주지 않았던 발달장애까지 말씀을 해주셔서 그 사건 이후의 혼란을 정리하고 진정한 나를 되찾을 수 있었던 것 같습니다. 앞으로의 미래에 대한 걱정이 없지 않지만, 지금은 행복해졌다고 말할 수 있습니다.

*  더 트리 심리클리닉 치료 프로그램 참여자들의 동의 하에 솔직한 치료 후기를 공개하고 있습니다.

Sleep hygiene and psychopathology

By 양미린 Yang Mirin, MA.​

The interaction between chronic sleep deprivation and psychopathology has been widely researched. Chronic sleep deprivation is related to obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and dysfunction of the immune system. Additionally, sleeping hours could be a significant predictor of increased risk of death, as well as psychological disorders, such as depression and suicide.

 

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manaual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-V), sleep-wake disorders encompass ten disorder groups, which involve: insomnia disorder, hypersomnolence disorder, narcolepsy, breathing-related sleep disorders, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, non-REM (NREM) sleep arousal disorders, nightmare disorder, REM sleep behavior disorder, restless legs syndrome, and substance- or medication-induced sleep disorder.

 

An individual experiences insomnia due to (1) stress, (2) lack of social support and, (3) abnormal everyday life routines. 

Furthermore, according to Dr. Susan Rubman, COVID19 could influence the perception of the bedroom: instead of perceiving it as a place where you can rest, it is now commonly seen as a place where you work remotely. Similarly, a range of behavior developed during COVID19, such as staying indoors, large amounts of exposure to electronic devices, irregular eating patterns, increased consumption of alcohol. Such behavior affects individuals’ circadian rhythm and increases their risk of sleeping problems.

 

Sleep-wake disorders can be treated by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), during which individuals learn to identify and replace thoughts and behaviors that cause sleeping problems. 

 

To maintain sleep hygiene, you are recommended to have:

 

– A dark, quiet, cool environment

– Blinds to make the room darker

– White noise

– No work-related tools or electronics : the light from electronics can cause unwanted sleep wakening, developing the cognitive and behavioral relationship between a bedroom and wakening

 

Sleep problems should be considered as one behavior, rather than a biological function. Sleep disorders are frequently comorbid with bipolar disorders, depression and/or anxiety disorders. Thus, treatment of sleep disorders may alleviate the progression of psychiatric disorders.

 

 

Sleep disorders exacerbate our psychological and physiological health. Through CBT, we should identify and be aware of thoughts and behaviors that cause sleep problems.

 

We hope you practice healthy sleep hygiene and take a step towards having a safe everyday life through “With Corona”.

 

 

Reference:

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th Edition, American Psychological Association (APA)

* We appreciate our clients for their honest and sincere testimonials. 

Adolescents’ porn literacy and sexual self-determination capability

By 양미린 Mirin Yang, MSc

Nowadays, adolescents can easily access pornography only through a few clicks on the Internet. The effect of pornography on the development of children and adolescents has been widely researched with a range of controversial results. Yet, there is no doubt that pornography constructs a false portrayal of sexuality.

 

Experts in the fields of psychology, public health and sex education express concerns that current children and adolescents are susceptible to sexual assaults, due to early development of their sexual perception, precocious puberty, advanced technology and the frequent exposure to media. Having restrictions on the use of media contents and technology may not provide the long-term effect. Thus, the experts came up with a new approach of improving individuals’ porn literacy.

 

Porn literacy aims to teach adolescents to have a critical view of pornography contents and to develop an appropriate perception of sexuality. Additionally, porn literacy allows adolescents to have responsibilities in relationships and demonstrates sexual self-determination capability.

 

In the US, most public schools provide sex education, despite a slight difference in each curriculum. In general, such curriculum involves teaching the history of pornography, legality, gender norms, double standard, healthy relationships, and contraception. However, there is no program that aims to train porn literacy.

 

There are continuous news reports regarding sexual assaults and abuse. There are strong feelings of anger and distress from the public. The society should consider the best long-term solutions, such as developing appropriate laws. Just because sex is an uncomfortable topic to discuss at home or at school, we may be taking away adolescents’ opportunities to develop sexual self-determination capability. Instead of avoiding the conversation and calling it “protection” from pornography, we should see what the most important next step is in providing the best care for the young adults’ community.

 

There are continuous news reports regarding sexual assaults and abuse. There are strong feelings of anger and distress from the public. The society should consider the best long-term solutions, such as developing appropriate laws. Just because sex is an uncomfortable topic to discuss at home or at school, we may be taking away adolescents’ opportunities to develop sexual self-determination capability. Instead of avoiding the conversation and calling it “protection” from pornography, we should see what the most important next step is in providing the best care for the young adults’ community.

 

 

 

References

APA Monitor on Psychology

이정민, 이수정,  염현이(2020). 아동청소년의 성적 자기결정권에 관한 연령추정 연구. 이화젠더법학, 12(2), 95-133.

 

I believe that I can overcome any upcoming challenges

"I do not know how to thank the DBT clinicians
who taught me to live a better life while I was drowning in pain."

DBT Client

This year was the most challenging and yet, the most rewarding year of my life. 

 

I do not know how to thank the DBT clinicians who taught me to live a better life while I was drowning in pain.  

 

It was a very precious experience.  

 

I do not feel like crying, but I feel a little blue writing the treatment review.  

 

I have an entrance exam coming up, and I know I can overcome the challenge since I tackled through a tougher challenge already.  

 

I can do it! 

* We appreciate our clients for their honest and sincere testimonials. 

Learning to observe myself through DBT

"I was able to untangle my emotions one by one."
DBT Client

All my emotions were interconnected and continuously disorganised. This led me to suffer from insomnia and an eating disorder. My body rested but the exhaustion continued, I felt powerless. I acknowledged that this was a serious issue, and since I was not able to resolve it alone, I seeked for support. 

 

With DBT, I was able to untangle my emotions one by one, and I started to observe myself. For the past four months, I was able to understand myself better, and maintain the comfrot that I feel right now.  

 

Thank you, the Tree Group!  

* We appreciate our clients for their honest and sincere testimonials. 

A desert island life has changed.

"...my island has become a nice, relaxing site for a holiday."
DBT Client

One year ago, my life was like a desert island. 

 

Having consistent failures and struggles since I was young taught me feelings of helplessness and obsession, and my life became a ruined island. It was not easy for me to escape nor for others to come and save me from the rocky ocean on the island. 

 

Since I had visited various places already and came to the Tree Group as the fourth treatment center, I did not have a high expectation. And yet, as I learned more and more skills, my desert island started changing gradually. Starting off with talking about the way the “edible green kimchi” made me smile, I participated in DBT for a year, thinking that I am building a small and strong wooden tower inside myself. Now when I look up, I see that my island has become a nice, relaxing site for a holiday, perhaps.  

 

The past year was a great opportunity for me to gain so much, and now I feel happier than I could have imagined. Thank you very much.  

* We appreciate our clients for their honest and sincere testimonials. 

Finding my lost self

"I no longer feel excessive anxiety from uncertainty in life..."

Client, Center for International Psychological Services

I was able to find my lost self. Finding myself allowed me to take control of myself. I was able to manage the thoughts and emotions that have been exhausting me until now.  

 

There is nothing more difficult than starting the treatment in the beginning. Not knowing what the outcome would be, I felt stuck when I was told to do things throughout the treatment. The treatment process was also not easy. On some days, I could not reflect on myself nor regulate my emotions, and on other days I was overwhelmed with emotions and had a hard time. When I was feeling such pain, the treatment process felt like a torment to me. However, the torment made me stronger as a result.  

 

Thanks to my strong-willed and active participation with the treatment clinicians’ support, I no longer feel excessive anxiety from uncertainty in life and I am able to regulate my thoughts and emotions. Thank you to everyone who believed in me until the end of the treatment. 

* We appreciate our clients for their honest and sincere testimonials. 

Embracing the spring of positivity

"The confidence of knowing that I can do anything made me feel delighted."

DBT Client

Before I started my treatment, I was in a lot of pain.  

It was not easy for me to get through a cold winter.  

Anxiety and anger bullied me and my confidence hit rock bottom. 

But then, spring came to me. 

The flower of hope welcomed me. The butterflies spreading positivity embraced me and I learned to challenge myself. 

The confidence of knowing that I can do anything made me feel delighted.  

I am happy. 

I feel comfortable, joyous and proud. 

One cannot trade the value of treatments with anything else.  

The Tree Group’s treatment was an unforgettable, jewel-like experience in my life. 

Now, I am going to live my life brightly and fragrantly. 

* We appreciate our clients for their honest and sincere testimonials. 

Feeling depressed is not who I am

"I found my true self."

CBT, DBT Client

I thought I was going to stay this way. A depressed, hopeless, lazy and useless person. That was why I felt more downhearted. I could not believe this was who I was. How am I going to live another 80 years of my life feeling so helpless? I wanted to rather die. 

 

‘Whatever, this is who I am, therapy isn’t going to help me.’ I thought. I was annoyed and had doubts. 

 

Somehow, I started the treatment. Although I felt lazy to attend DBT Class and individual therapy sessions with my therapist, gradually I started having hope in getting better. I learned to believe that feeling depressed is not who I am, and I found my true self by working hard during the sessions. I am able to accept and validate undesirable characteristics of myself as well. 

 

I know that this is not the end of my journey, so I am going to continue working harder. I would like to continue applying the skills I learned at the Tree Group to my life and to learn the accepting attitudes demonstrated by the kindhearted clinicians.  

 

The Tree Group was the biggest fortune in my life. Thank you.  

* We appreciate our clients for their honest and sincere testimonials.