Behavioral Medicine & Stress Management
Contact Information
Hours Of Operation: Appointments as scheduled
Services Provided
Medical specialists and mental health professionals recognize the relationship between psychosocial factors such as life stressors, anxiety, and behavioral patterns in addition to many common and sometimes debilitating medical conditions. The Behavioral Medicine and Stress Management Program offers specific treatment for persons with stress-related symptoms or disorders, such as:
- Tension and Vascular Headaches
- Hypertension
- Chronic Pain
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Insomnia
- Anxiety, Panic Disorders, and Phobias
- Habit Disorders, such as Weight Control, Smoking
- Problems with Stress Within Relationships and at Work
The program can also provide adjunctive treatment, fully coordinated with the patient's primary physician and other medical specialist, to facilitate management of a range of difficult medical conditions. Our treatment approaches are often in conjunction with those of other specialty clinics of The George Washington University Medical Center, such as the Spine Center, the Eating Disorders Program, and the Center for Integrative Medicine. Physical problems treated collaboratively with other Departments include:
- Diabetes
- Incontinence and Constipation
- Angina Pectoris
- Repetitive Motion Injuries
- Multiple Chemical Hypersensitivities
- Asthma
- Chronic Cough
- Swallowing Disorders
- Tinnitus
- Blepharospasm
The Behavioral Medicine and Stress Management Program offers the latest technology in biofeedback treatment. Faculty psychologists personally supervise feedback training and facilitate integration of such training with other facets of the patient's treatment. In addition to the common biofeedback modalities listed below, special individualized application can be developed:
Treatment within the Behavioral Medicine and Stress Management Program involves multiple levels of intervention based upon specific patient needs. Treatment approaches include biofeedback, relaxation training, hypnosis, behavior modification, education, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapies, and structured, problem-focused group treatment.