EXPERT
Dr. Emily Brislin, PSY.D
Neuropsychologist
Dr. Emily Brislin is a clinical neuropsychologist practicing in Sparta, NJ. Dr. Brislin specializes in the testing and assessment of psychological and neuropsychological disorders in adults and geriatrics. As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Brislin evaluates and treats patients through a variety of methods. Patients usually visit Dr. Brislin upon referral from their neurologist or primary care physician when there are concerns for neurodegenerative conditions like mild cognitive impairment and dementia, acquired brain injury/impairment, or developmental disorders such as ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. She also performs disability determination evaluations and pre-surgical evaluations.
16 years
Experience
Dr. Emily Brislin, PSY.D
- Sparta, NJ
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Accepting new patients
How to Take Care of Brain Health to Prevent Cognitive Decline
Maintaining brain health is essential for preventing cognitive decline as we age. While genetics play a role, lifestyle choices significantly impact brain function and longevity....
Can psychotherapy help ADHD?
Yes, psychotherapy can be very helpful for adults with ADHD. While medication is often a primary treatment, therapy can address emotional, behavioral, and cognitive challenges READ MORE
Yes, psychotherapy can be very helpful for adults with ADHD. While medication is often a primary treatment, therapy can address emotional, behavioral, and cognitive challenges associated with ADHD. Some effective therapy approaches include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps with time management, organization, emotional regulation, and self-defeating thought patterns.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Enhances attention, impulse control, and stress management.
Coaching or Skills-Based Therapy: Focuses on practical strategies for daily life, such as structuring routines and improving focus.
Psychodynamic or Insight-Oriented Therapy: Addresses self-esteem issues, past trauma, or relationship struggles that may be linked to ADHD symptoms.
Many adults with ADHD struggle with procrastination, low self-confidence, emotional reactivity, and feelings of failure. Therapy can help develop coping strategies, improve self-awareness, and strengthen executive functioning skills.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps with time management, organization, emotional regulation, and self-defeating thought patterns.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Enhances attention, impulse control, and stress management.
Coaching or Skills-Based Therapy: Focuses on practical strategies for daily life, such as structuring routines and improving focus.
Psychodynamic or Insight-Oriented Therapy: Addresses self-esteem issues, past trauma, or relationship struggles that may be linked to ADHD symptoms.
Many adults with ADHD struggle with procrastination, low self-confidence, emotional reactivity, and feelings of failure. Therapy can help develop coping strategies, improve self-awareness, and strengthen executive functioning skills.
What are some effective anxiety coping mechanisms?
Three effective anxiety coping mechanisms include deep breathing, mindfulness and exercise. 1. Deep Breathing: Practicing deep, controlled breathing helps activate the body’s READ MORE
Three effective anxiety coping mechanisms include deep breathing, mindfulness and exercise.
1. Deep Breathing: Practicing deep, controlled breathing helps activate the body’s relaxation response, reducing physical symptoms of anxiety like rapid heart rate. Try techniques like box breathing.
2. Mindfulness and Grounding: Mindfulness exercises, such as focusing on the present moment or engaging in grounding techniques (e.g., identifying things you can see, hear, and touch), can shift attention away from anxious thoughts and prevent spiraling.
3. physical Activity: Regular exercise, such as walking, yoga, or any form of movement, helps reduce stress hormones and boost mood-enhancing chemicals like endorphins, which can lower overall anxiety levels. Even short bursts of activity can have immediate calming effects.
1. Deep Breathing: Practicing deep, controlled breathing helps activate the body’s relaxation response, reducing physical symptoms of anxiety like rapid heart rate. Try techniques like box breathing.
2. Mindfulness and Grounding: Mindfulness exercises, such as focusing on the present moment or engaging in grounding techniques (e.g., identifying things you can see, hear, and touch), can shift attention away from anxious thoughts and prevent spiraling.
3. physical Activity: Regular exercise, such as walking, yoga, or any form of movement, helps reduce stress hormones and boost mood-enhancing chemicals like endorphins, which can lower overall anxiety levels. Even short bursts of activity can have immediate calming effects.
What is the role of medication in mental health treatment?
Medication and therapy combined is considered the gold standard for treating depression, especially moderate to severe cases. Antidepressants, particularly SSRIs and SNRIs, help READ MORE
Medication and therapy combined is considered the gold standard for treating depression, especially moderate to severe cases. Antidepressants, particularly SSRIs and SNRIs, help regulate brain chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine, reducing symptoms such as sadness, fatigue, and low motivation. These medications often make it easier for individuals to benefit from psychotherapy, especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which addresses negative thought patterns and behaviors.
Reaearch suggests thay the combination of medication and therapy is more effective than either approach alone for many people. While medication helps alleviate biological symptoms of depression, therapy targets the root causes and teaches long-term coping skills. This dual approach often leads to more significant improvements and lower rates of relapse.
Reaearch suggests thay the combination of medication and therapy is more effective than either approach alone for many people. While medication helps alleviate biological symptoms of depression, therapy targets the root causes and teaches long-term coping skills. This dual approach often leads to more significant improvements and lower rates of relapse.
What is generalized anxiety disorder, and how is it treated?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a mental health diagnosis characterized by excessive, persistent worry and anxiety about various aspects of daily life. People with GAD often READ MORE
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a mental health diagnosis characterized by excessive, persistent worry and anxiety about various aspects of daily life. People with GAD often find it difficult to control their worrying and may experience physical symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance. The worry is often out of proportion to the actual situation and can interfere with functioning in daily life.
Treatment options for GAD typically include a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective forms of psychotherapy for GAD, helping individuals challenge and modify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) may be prescribed to reduce symptoms of anxiety. In some cases, benzodiazepines or other anxiolytics may be used short-term. Additionally, lifestyle modifications like regular exercise, mindfulness, and stress management techniques can play a key role in managing GAD. Combining these treatments often leads to the best outcomes for individuals coping with the disorder.
Treatment options for GAD typically include a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective forms of psychotherapy for GAD, helping individuals challenge and modify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) may be prescribed to reduce symptoms of anxiety. In some cases, benzodiazepines or other anxiolytics may be used short-term. Additionally, lifestyle modifications like regular exercise, mindfulness, and stress management techniques can play a key role in managing GAD. Combining these treatments often leads to the best outcomes for individuals coping with the disorder.
