Kevin D. First, PhD

Psychologist

Dr. Kevin D. First is a Psychologist in Aberdeen, SD with special training and skill in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. As a Psychologist, Kevin D. First, PhD performs mental health assessment and therapy. Psychology is a medical specialty focused on helping patients understand the causes of their mental health disorders so they can be treated with therapy or medication. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Psychologists include depression, anxiety, specific phobias, alcohol, drug, and gambling addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), mood disorders, behavioral disorders, bereavement, and marital problems. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Psychologists include mental health assessment and diagnosing, psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), psychoanalysis, group therapy, addiction counseling, marriage counseling, exposure therapy, and referral to other specialists as needed.

A psychologist is an individual who is licensed to practice psychology which is defined as the observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, and modification of human behavior by the application of psychological principles, methods, and procedures, for the purpose of preventing or eliminating symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior and of enhancing interpersonal relationships, work and life adjustment, personal effectiveness, behavioral health, and mental health. The practice of psychology includes, but is not limited to, psychological testing and the evaluation or assessment of personal characteristics, such as intelligence, personality, abilities, interests, aptitudes, and neuropsychological functioning; counseling, psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, and behavior analysis and therapy; diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorder or disability, alcoholism and substance abuse, disorders of habit or conduct, as well as of the psychological aspects of physical illness, accident, injury, or disability; and psycheducational evaluation, therapy, remediation, and consultation. Psychological services may be rendered to individuals, families, groups and the public.

Psychoanalyst

Dr. Kevin D. First is a Psychoanalyst in Aberdeen, SD with special training and skill in performing a specific type of therapy called psychoanalysis. As a Psychoanalyst, Kevin D. First, PhD performs therapy related to the unconscious mind. Psychoanalysis is a medical specialty centered on treating mental disorders by uncovering harmful repressed fears and conflicts so they can be permanently resolved. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Psychoanalysts include depression, anxiety, sexual disorders, self-destructive behavior, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), self-harm behavior, grief and anger management, and mood disturbances. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Psychoanalysts include mental health asssessment and diagnosing, free association, dream analysis, behavior therapy, psychodynamic therapy, play therapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), humanistic therapy, prescribing medication, and referral to other specialists as needed.

Psychoanalysis is a comprehensive, theoretical framework which, when applied to a treatment process, consists of an intensive verbal, therapeutic relationship between an analyst and an analysand which aims for symptom relief, emotional growth, and personal integration. The psychoanalytic treatment process includes, but is not limited to, the recognition of unconscious processes and conflicts; the significance of developmental influences; and the impact of resistances, defenses, transference and countertransference phenomena. Treatment is enhanced by an understanding developed in the analyst's training and personal analysis of unconscious manifestations, such as dreams, slips of the tongue, fantasies and day dreams. Psychoanalytic technique varies in relation to theoretical orientation.