Psychologist
Dr. Michael G. Destefano is a Psychologist in Atascadero, CA
with special training and skill in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders.
As a Psychologist, Michael G. Destefano, 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.
Psychologists in Atascadero, CA
Exercise & Sports Psychologist
Dr. Michael G. Destefano is an Exercise & Sports Psychologist in Atascadero, CA
with special training and skill in physiology, psychology, kinesiology, and biomechanics.
As an Exercise & Sports Psychologist, Michael G. Destefano, PhD performs
mental health and athletic performance enhancing treatments. Exercise & Sports Psychology is
the study of the relationship between psychology and physical activity, including sport and exercise. Significant diseases and conditions treated by
Exercise & Sports Psychologists include low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, and physical injuries.
Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Exercise & Sports Psychologists
include observation, counseling, physical rehabilitation, and customized exercise protocol development.
A psychologist with a proficiency in sports psychology that uses psychological knowledge and skills to address optimal performance and well-being of athletes, developmental and social aspects of sports participation, and systemic issues associated with sports settings and organizations. APA recognizes sport psychology as a proficiency acquired after a doctoral degree in one of the primary areas of psychology and licensure as a psychologist. This proficiency does not include those who have earned a doctoral degree in sport psychology but are not licensed psychologists. Sport Psychology interventions are designed to assist athletes and other sports participants (e.g., coaches, administrators, parents) from a wide array of settings, levels of competition, and ages, ranging from recreational youth participants to professional and Olympic athletes to master's level performers.
Exercise Sports Psychologists in Atascadero, CA
Psychoanalytic Psychologist
A psychologist whose specialty is distinguished from other specialties by its body of knowledge and its intensive treatment approaches. It aims at structural changes and modifications of a person's personality. Psychoanalysis promotes awareness of unconscious, maladaptive and habitually recurrent patterns of emotion and behavior, allowing previously unconscious aspects of the self to become integrated and promoting optimal functioning, healing and creative expression.
Psychoanalytic Psychologists in Atascadero, CA
