Lorchen Heft, Ph.d

Psychology

Lorchen Heft, Ph.d is a Psychology practice in Santa Cruz, CA with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. Psychologists at Lorchen Heft, Ph.d perform 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 at Psychology practices 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 Psychology practices 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.