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Health and Wellness Enhancement and Mindfulness

Home Health and Wellness Enhancement and Mindfulness

Health and Wellness Enhancement (HWE)

As a Health and Wellness Consultant, Dr. Goodman utilizes many different modalities including Mindfulness, Biofeedback, Positive Thinking and other modalities Health and Wellness Enhancement is a modality which utilizes positive suggestions to solve problems that are related to behaviors, dysfunctional emotions and cognitions by means of a systematic and goal-oriented procedure. The idea around which the (HWE-Health & Wellness Enhancement) techniques have developed is that, OUR OWN and no external factors are responsible for the behaviors we exhibit and feelings we experience. The Health and Wellness Enhancement techniques are time bound and the average number of sessions required to complete the therapy is 16.

HWE (Health and Wellness Enhancement) TECHNIQUES

Systematic Positive Reinforcement

The systematic positive reinforcement is one of the Health and Wellness Enhancement techniques in which certain (positive) behaviors of a person are rewarded with a positive reinforcement. A reward system is established for the reinforcement of certain positive behaviors. Just like positive reinforcement helps in encouraging a particular behavior, withholding the reinforcement deliberately is useful in eradicating a maladaptive behavior.

Rehearsal

In this technique, the client is asked to recall a problematic situation of the past. The Consultantt and client work together to find out the solution to the problem or a way in which the difficult situation if occurs in the future may be sorted out.

Validity Testing

It is one of the HWE techniques in which the consultant tests the validity of beliefs or thoughts of the client. Initially, the client is allowed to defend his viewpoint by means of an objective evidence. The faulty nature or invalidity of the beliefs of the client is exposed if he is unable to produce any kind of objective evidence.

Aversive Conditioning

Among the different HWE techniques used by consultants, the aversive conditioning technique makes use of dissuasion for lessening the appeal of a maladaptive behavior. The client while being engaged in a particular behavior or thought for which he has to be treated, is exposed to an unpleasant stimulus. Thus, the unpleasant stimulus gets associated with such thoughts/behaviors and then the client exhibits an aversive behavior towards them.

Modeling

It is one of the HWE techniques in which the consultant performs role-playing exercises which are aimed at responding in an appropriate way to overcome difficult situations. The client makes use of this behavior of the consultant as a model in order to solve the problems he comes across.

Homework

The homework is actually a set of assignments given by consultants to clients. The client may have to take notes while a session is being conducted, review the audiotapes of a particular session or he may have to read article/books that are related to the session.

Writing in a Journal

It is the practice of maintaining a diary to keep an account of the situations that arise in day-to- day life. The thoughts which are associated with these situations and the behavior exhibited in response to them are also mentioned in the diary. The consultant along with the client reviews the diary/journal and finds out the maladaptive thought pattern and how do they actually affect the behavior of an individual.

Guided Discovery

The objective/purpose behind using this technique is to help the client and enable him understand his distorted thoughts.

Reframing

This is also known as NLP reframing, is a HWEl technique that consists of identifying and then disputing irrational or maladaptive thoughts. Reframing is a way of viewing and experiencing events, ideas, concepts and emotions to find more positive alternatives. In the context of therapy, HWE, reframing is often referred to as restructuring. Re-framing, on the other hand, refers to the process as it occurs either voluntarily or automatically in all settings.

Health and Wellness Enhancement includes many other techniques including visualization, relaxation, biofeedback, hypnotherapy, negative thought stopping, etc. We use it to treat phobias, sleep disorders, eating disorders, habit reversal, bruxing, anxiety, depression and many other challenges.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness and Mindfulness Training is now becoming a very popular method of treatment. Mindfulness teaches us to be present. It is the antithesis of multitasking. Multitasking has caused us to become very stressed and has served to raise anxiety levels beyond  a healthy range. Along with meditation and relaxation techniques, mindfulness training can help us to let go of the past and not be afraid of the future. Please read Mayo Clinic article included here.

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When I came to Dr. Goodman, I was extremely anxious, suffered from low self-esteem and often experienced discomfort, or seemingly unresolvable conflict, when communicating with friends and family members. My life has improved tremendously as a direct result of therapy Dr. Goodman. I feel more confident and happy about myself and in my relationships. My communication skills have improved because my anxiety has decreased. I appreciate Dr. Goodman’s genuine concern and thoughtful advice he has provided me during therapy sessions. I consider my therapy with Dr. Goodman to be invaluable and worth every dollar I spent on therapy.

Margy
Agoura Hills, CA

I went to Dr. Goodman as I had recurring pain that was very difficult to manage. My wisdom grew thanks to the psychological modalities and techniques I learned from him and I was able to manage any pain so it was no longer an issue. The empowerment this gave me changed my life, giving me the freedom to accomplish goals I would not have been able to otherwise. I highly recommend Dr. Goodman, I wish there were more health and wellness consultants with his wisdom.

Matt
Los Angeles, CA

Dr Goodman has given me back my breath! I now have tools to use for every situation. My PTSD Anxiety and depression are nearly all under control thanks to Dr Goodman! My trust in Dr Goodman is profound.My fears were real and debilitating, Dr Goodman retaught me breathing awareness acceptance and mindfulness. I am forever grateful to continue to have him in my team!

Lisa
Malibu, CA

I’ve seen a few consultants before dr. Goodman, and I’d have to say we truly “click”. He’s tremendously helped me with my anxiety – He not only listens, but provides useful tools and exercises. I’m so grateful for him!

Bo
Venice, CA

Wonderful fulfilling year of council
Put me back on track with successful results
Thank you Don

tony
La quinta

Dr. Goodman treated me successfully for chronic health anxiety from Sep 2020 to Jan 2025. We met face-to-face weekly through 2020, then bi-weekly.
I look back with satisfaction and some amusement at the long list of physical symptoms that I urgently handed to Dr. Goodman at one of our first meetings. Today, in hindsight, it seems obvious that most of these were imaginary symptoms or at worst symptoms whose severity I exaggerated in my mind.
How did Dr. Goodman cure me? We talked. He taught me breathing for relaxation early on. We talked more and he found common ground with me on many fundamental problems in life.
My natural inclination towards health anxiety was exacerbated by benzodiazepine prescriptions that various MDs fed me starting 2005, initially from my primary care physician for a not-sleeping-well complaint. However, starting in 2008, a series of MDs specializing in psychiatry kept me in a state of agitated addiction to various benzodiazepines, what they euphemistically called “dependence”. This was done despite well-known, even famous, public info on the harmful effects of benzodiazepine addiction by prescription. Think: the book and movie, “I’m Dancing as Fast as I Can” and the Rolling Stones song, “Mother’s Little Helper”.
My breakthrough came in March 2021 when I decided to quit taking the benzos and quit seeing the latest psychiatrist who was ostensibly trying to taper me off benzos, but in fact was prescribing doses on a roller coaster trajectory in line with my current reported level of heath anxiety.
How did I reach a psychological state where I could objectively assess my prospects without benzos vis-a-vis a continuation of my life ever fearful for my health and addicted/ dependent on benzos? Credit Dr. Goodman.
Subsequent meetings with Dr. Goodman after March 2021 helped me consolidate my newly transformed prior obsessions with physical symptoms. Additionally, our meetings afforded me the opportunity to discuss a variety of life issues with a man of great knowledge, judgment and compassion – Dr. Don Goodman.

Doug
Los Angeles

His depth of knowledge in this area is truly impressive, but I find his expertise and insight into all aspects of psychology, life, culture, the arts, and any number of other topics as equally impressive and beneficial.

Rich
Los Angeles

Dr. Goodman is a great listener, very bright so understands what you’re explaining, compassionate, very client and gives excellent advice.

Margi
Westlake Village, CA

The Buddhists say that in a journey of 1000 miles starts with the first step. I am so glad that Dr Goodman was recommended to me. What a breath of fresh air.

Rick
Thousand Oaks, CA
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