Alexa J. Connell, PhD is a health psychologist in Worcester, MA specializing in health psychology. Alexa J. Connell, PhD is affiliated with UMass Memorial Medical Center, UMass Memorial Health and UMASS MEMORIAL MEDICAL GROUP INC.
UMass Memorial Health
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Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a form of psychotherapy or treatment for mental illness. It comes in a variety of methods, but the basic concept behind all CBT is the same -- thoughts cause feelings, which cause actions. If someone wishes to change problematic behaviors or emotions in their lives, they need to start by changing their thoughts. CBT examines ideas and looks for patterns that may be causing harmful actions. The therapist helps patients modify those thought patterns and, in doing so, helps them feel better and cope more effectively.
CBT is one of the most widely studied forms of psychotherapy, and it has been shown to be extremely effective for a variety of mental illnesses. Some of the issues that respond well to CBT include mood disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse, sleep disorders, and psychotic disorders. In some cases, CBT has been shown to be as effective or even more effective than medication. One of the interesting things that the scientific study of CBT has shown is that CBT actually changes the way the brain works, physically improving its function.
CBT differs from traditional psychotherapy in a few key ways. One of the most important distinctions is the emphasis on the power and responsibility of the patient in CBT. The patient will be encouraged to be the one asking the questions in CBT therapy, and most patients are assigned homework to complete outside of therapy sessions. There is a concept in CBT that everyone has power the power to change how they feel, even if they cannot control the situation, and this can be very empowering for patients. Because of this power shift, the therapist-client relationship is not as critical to success in CBT as it is in other modes of therapy. Patients should still get along well with their therapists, but they do not need a deep, dependent emotional connection to them. Finally, because CBT often treats a specific issue or problem, it is usually shorter in duration than traditional therapy. While some therapies may continue for years, CBT lasts on average just 16 sessions.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is a form of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) that was originally developed to help the most severely mentally ill and depressed patients accept therapy. It relies on the same concept in CBT that examines the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and actions, but in DBT the emphasis is first on acceptance rather than change. There is also an emphasis on mindfulness, 'being in the moment,' and relaxation techniques such as yoga. These are combined with a great deal of validation and encouragement from the therapist.
The word 'dialectical' means acting through opposing forces, and this word refers to a few different opposing concepts in DBT:
Dialectical behavior therapy was developed when therapists attempting to use CBT techniques on the most seriously ill patients ran into a problem. When they suggested that a patient change their thoughts, these very vulnerable patients would become overwhelmed and turn aggressive or suicidal. DBT was developed to support these patients with acceptance and validation while still guiding them towards changing problematic thoughts. Although also used for suicidal and self-harming patients today, these days, DBT is mainly used to treat borderline personality disorder. It is one of the few effective interventions for this serious illness.
DBT has been shown to be very effective at reducing self-destructive behavior. It can also be used to teach new coping skills and increase a patient's self-esteem and motivation to become healthier.
LGBT Issues
LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, and is indicative of a greater spectrum of different sexualities and genders that some people may identify with. LGBT issues are issues that LGBT people may face in their daily life, affecting children, adolescents, and adults. Adverse experiences and stigmas may contribute to depression, anxiety, and undue stress in LGBT people. Common LGBT issues may include:
Healthcare providers are working to provide more inclusive care for people of all sexual orientations and identities. Some choose to address LGBT issues through procedures such as chest reconstruction, facial feminization surgery, masculinization surgery, and glottoplasty (surgery to raise the pitch of one's voice). Sensitive OB-GYN care and hormone therapy may also be options for people with LGBT issues.
LGBT therapy can also help people navigate LGBT issues and mental health problems. LGBT affirmative therapy specializes in creating "affirmative" spaces for people who are LGBT. LGBT affirmative therapists use patients' preferred pronouns, address homophobia and social biases, and act as LGBT advocates in their talk therapy sessions.
The top procedures that Alexa J. Connell, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Worcester, MA during 2012 were diagnostic evaluation.
Volume of procedures performed by Alexa J. Connell, PhD for Medicare patients.
| diagnostic evaluation | 12 |
|---|
The top procedures that Alexa J. Connell, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Worcester, MA during 2013 were mental health therapy.
Volume of procedures performed by Alexa J. Connell, PhD for Medicare patients.
| mental health therapy | 34 |
|---|
The top procedures that Alexa J. Connell, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Worcester, MA during 2014 were mental health therapy.
Volume of procedures performed by Alexa J. Connell, PhD for Medicare patients.
| mental health therapy | 37 |
|---|
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
The top procedures that Alexa J. Connell, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Worcester, MA during 2015 were mental health therapy.
Volume of procedures performed by Alexa J. Connell, PhD for Medicare patients.
| mental health therapy | 86 |
|---|
Information about Medicare patients treated by Alexa J. Connell, PhD.
| Male | |
|---|---|
| Female |
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
The top procedures that Alexa J. Connell, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Worcester, MA during 2016 were mental health therapy.
Volume of procedures performed by Alexa J. Connell, PhD for Medicare patients.
| mental health therapy | 159 |
|---|
Information about Medicare patients treated by Alexa J. Connell, PhD.
| Male | |
|---|---|
| Female |
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
The top procedures that Alexa J. Connell, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Worcester, MA during 2017 were mental health therapy.
Volume of procedures performed by Alexa J. Connell, PhD for Medicare patients.
| mental health therapy | 178 |
|---|
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
The top procedures that Alexa J. Connell, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Worcester, MA during 2018 were mental health therapy.
Volume of procedures performed by Alexa J. Connell, PhD for Medicare patients.
| mental health therapy | 179 |
|---|
Information about Medicare patients treated by Alexa J. Connell, PhD.
| Male | |
|---|---|
| Female |
| From 65 to 74 | |
|---|---|
| From 75 to 84 | |
| 85 and over | |
| Less than 65 |
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
The top procedures that Alexa J. Connell, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Worcester, MA during 2019 were mental health therapy.
Volume of procedures performed by Alexa J. Connell, PhD for Medicare patients.
| mental health therapy | 172 |
|---|
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
The top procedures that Alexa J. Connell, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Worcester, MA during 2020 were mental health therapy.
Volume of procedures performed by Alexa J. Connell, PhD for Medicare patients.
| mental health therapy | 162 |
|---|
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
The top procedures that Alexa J. Connell, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Worcester, MA during 2021 were mental health therapy.
Volume of procedures performed by Alexa J. Connell, PhD for Medicare patients.
| mental health therapy | 156 |
|---|
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
The top procedures that Alexa J. Connell, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Worcester, MA during 2022 were mental health therapy.
Volume of procedures performed by Alexa J. Connell, PhD for Medicare patients.
| mental health therapy | 194 |
|---|
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoperosis | |
| Atrial Fibrilation | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
Volume of procedures performed by Alexa J. Connell, PhD for Medicare patients.
The highest averages for the top procedures that Alexa J. Connell, PhD treated as a health psychologist in Worcester, MA were mental health therapy and diagnostic evaluation.
| diagnostic evaluation | 12 |
|---|---|
| mental health therapy | 135 |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Alexa J. Connell, PhD.
| Male | |
|---|---|
| Female |
| 75 to 84 | |
|---|---|
| 85 and over | |
| Less than 65 | |
| 65 to 74 |
The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Alexa J. Connell, PhD treated were depression, hypertension, high cholesterol and ischemic heart disease.
| Hypertension | |
|---|---|
| High Cholesterol | |
| Stroke | |
| Ischemic Heart Disease | |
| Depression | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | |
| Asthma | |
| Osteoporosis | |
| Heart Failure | |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Atrial Fibrillation | |
| Dementia | |
| Cancer |
She has a state license in Massachusetts.
Licensed In: Massachusetts
Alexa J. Connell, PhD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
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Dr. Alexa Connell specializes in health psychology and practices in Worcester, MA. Clinical interests for Dr. Connell include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy, and LGBT issues. She is professionally affiliated with UMass Memorial Medical Center.
