expert type icon EXPERT

Patricia J. Harris

Councelor/Therapist

Dr. Patricia Harris is an Addiction Medicine Physician in San Antonio, TX. Dr. Harris evaluates patients using many different procedures, in order to determine what treatments must be carried out in order to properly assess their symptoms. Addiction Medicine Physicians provide medical care in addition to consultation for each patient and their families.
Patricia J. Harris
  • San Antonio, TX
  • Accepting new patients

Is it worth going to couples counseling?

Hello and thank you for your question, Some couples find it helpful to go to couples therapy to learn skills to improve their relationship. The answer to your question really READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

Some couples find it helpful to go to couples therapy to learn skills to improve their relationship. The answer to your question really lies within you. If you are willing to discuss issues openly and honestly and put in the work in between sessions it can be worth it.

Thank you,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC

How do psychiatrists treat anxiety?

Hello and thank you for your question, Psychiatrists typically treat anxiety using anti-anxiety medication. They may also refer you for psychotherapy. Thank you, Patricia READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

Psychiatrists typically treat anxiety using anti-anxiety medication. They may also refer you for psychotherapy.

Thank you,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC

What does a psychiatrist do for anxiety?

Hello and thank you for your question, Psychiatrists typically prescribe medication for anxiety. They may also recommend psychotherapy. Thank you, Patricia Harris | MA, READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

Psychiatrists typically prescribe medication for anxiety. They may also recommend psychotherapy.

Thank you,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC

What psychotherapy is best for PTSD?

Hello and thank you for your question and your service, There are several therapies that have been shown to be effective with treating PTSD. EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral, and READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question and your service,

There are several therapies that have been shown to be effective with treating PTSD. EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral, and ACT are a few that are recommended and show evidence of symptom reduction. Group therapy is also effective as the support of others living with PTSD is also effective in conjunction with therapy.

Thank you,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC

Can a psychologist treat panic attacks?

Hello and thank you for your question, Psychologists usually do testing/psychological assessments. I am not aware of psychologists treating mental health disorders. Thank READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

Psychologists usually do testing/psychological assessments. I am not aware of psychologists treating mental health disorders.

Thank you,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC

Should I go to therapy for anxiety?

Hello and thank you for your question, Therapy can be very helpful for anxiety. You can learn coping and calming skills to reduce symptoms associated with anxiety by attending READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

Therapy can be very helpful for anxiety. You can learn coping and calming skills to reduce symptoms associated with anxiety by attending therapy.

Thank you

What are some stress reduction techniques?

Hello and thank you for your question, Good stress management techniques include physical activity (walking, jogging, etc.), yoga, meditation, growing and/or creating (gardens, READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

Good stress management techniques include physical activity (walking, jogging, etc.), yoga, meditation, growing and/or creating (gardens, puzzles, drawing, coloring, etc.) and relaxation activities such as deep breathing, baths, exposing yourself to nature via nature walks and/or hikes. These activities reduce stress; however, managing stressful situations in your life through healthy boundaries, saying no sometimes and regularly engaging in self-care will keep stress low overall.
Thank you,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC

What are the treatment options for post-traumatic stress disorder?

Hello and thank you for your question, PTSD is a serious condition; however, the seriousness of it depends on the symptoms you are experiencing. Some diagnosed experience all READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

PTSD is a serious condition; however, the seriousness of it depends on the symptoms you are experiencing. Some diagnosed experience all symptoms while some only have a few symptoms. The seriousness of your condition also depends on whether it is acute or chronic PTSD. Learning more about your diagnosis and interventions that allow for improved daily functioning will be important for you moving forward.

Thank you,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC

What are the psychological effects of using a wheelchair?

Hello and thank you for your question, Having to use a wheelchair is a significant life change/event. It can be a challenging adjustment and counseling can help you process READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

Having to use a wheelchair is a significant life change/event. It can be a challenging adjustment and counseling can help you process that adjustment. Discussing how the wheelchair has changed your life and verbalizing the emotions you are experiencing can support a healthy adjustment/transition.

Thank you,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC

Can a person recover from psychosis?

Hello and thank you for your question, Yes, a person can recover from psychosis. Sometimes a psychotic episode is temporary and how long it lasts can depend on a few different READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

Yes, a person can recover from psychosis. Sometimes a psychotic episode is temporary and how long it lasts can depend on a few different factors.

Thank you,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC

What causes long term depression?

Hello and thank you for your question, Depression can be caused by several different factors. Chemical imbalances, loss, and illnesses can all lead to long-term depression. READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

Depression can be caused by several different factors. Chemical imbalances, loss, and illnesses can all lead to long-term depression. There is no one trigger for everyone as our bodies are different. Past trauma can also trigger long-term depression and some types of depression are hereditary.
I hope I have shed some light on this condition for you.

Respectfully,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC

Can psychotherapy help with breakups?

Hello and thank you for your question, Psychotherapy can help with breakups as after loss one usually goes through a grieving process. Psychotherapy can support a healthy grieving READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

Psychotherapy can help with breakups as after loss one usually goes through a grieving process. Psychotherapy can support a healthy grieving process and moving forward after loss.

Thank you,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC

How do you use cognitive behavioral approaches to treat chronic pain?

Hello and thank you for your question, I currently do not treat clients with chronic pain. However, CBT in conjunction with other interventions is used by addressing thoughts, READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

I currently do not treat clients with chronic pain. However, CBT in conjunction with other interventions is used by addressing thoughts, emotions, and behavior related to pain. Changing negative perceptions is the basis for using CBT to treat pain.

Respectfully,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC

How long does it take for a panic disorder to go away?

Hello and thank you for your question, Panic disorder, like all other mental health diagnoses, does not last for a specific amount of time. The duration of the disorder depends READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

Panic disorder, like all other mental health diagnoses, does not last for a specific amount of time. The duration of the disorder depends on the nature of treatment and interventions used. The specific trigger for panic disorder is also a factor, such as how long one was exposed to the triggering event.

Thank you,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC

What are the weaknesses of cognitive behavioral therapy?

Hello and thank you for your question, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a well-researched intervention that is helpful for many mental health issues. One area where CBT is not READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a well-researched intervention that is helpful for many mental health issues. One area where CBT is not recommended is with individuals experiencing cognitive deficits. CBT also focuses on a client's ability to take action to improve their mental health. Thought patterns are stressed and the client's ability and willingness to attempt to change rigid thoughts.

Thank you,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC

Can you go to therapy for stress?

Hello and thank you for your question, One can go to therapy for stress. Therapy can provide relaxation and stress management skills that are effective in managing stress. Therapists READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

One can go to therapy for stress. Therapy can provide relaxation and stress management skills that are effective in managing stress. Therapists can teach relaxation and calming skills that, once learned, can help you to manage stress in your life moving forward.

Thank you,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC

What type of therapy is best for schizophrenia?

Hello and thank you for your question, There are a few different types of therapy that are good for schizophrenia. It really depends on what the symptoms are. Different symptoms READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

There are a few different types of therapy that are good for schizophrenia. It really depends on what the symptoms are. Different symptoms are treated using different interventions. A psychological assessment is best to determine the most effective type of treatment.

Thank you,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC

Is talk therapy more effective than medications?

Hello and thank you for your question, Talk therapy and medication can both be effective for treating many mental health diagnoses. One is usually not more effective than the READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

Talk therapy and medication can both be effective for treating many mental health diagnoses. One is usually not more effective than the other, but it may depend on the diagnosis. Oftentimes, talk therapy and medication are used together for the best outcomes.

Thank you,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC

What are the psychological causes of drug abuse?

Hello and thank you for your question, I cannot identify one psychological cause for drug abuse. Addiction is a multifaceted issue that typically has several indicators and READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

I cannot identify one psychological cause for drug abuse. Addiction is a multifaceted issue that typically has several indicators and not just one cause. Many use substances as a means of escape from troubling thoughts and/or emotions. Pain and prescription drug issues can also be a trigger for drug abuse. There are too many issues involved and each person's story is unique; therefore, it is difficult to identify one specific psychological cause.

Respectfully,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC

Is IPT a form of CBT?

Hello and thank you for your question, IPT is not a form of CBT. IPT is focused on interpersonal relationships whereas CBT is not. Thank you, Patricia Harris | MA, MS, READ MORE
Hello and thank you for your question,

IPT is not a form of CBT. IPT is focused on interpersonal relationships whereas CBT is not.

Thank you,

Patricia Harris | MA, MS, LPC