Photo of Stan J. Strycharz, PsyD, MS, MDiv, Psychologist
Stan J. Strycharz
Psychologist, PsyD, MS, MDiv
Verified Verified
Naples, FL 34108
As a licensed clinical psychologist, I have over 20 years of experience working with individuals, couples and families from various backgrounds. I am trained by leading experts in the science of Couples Therapy, Drs. Julie and John Gottman of the Gottman Institute and Dr. Sue Johnson, founder of Emotionally Focused Therapy. I also offer Mentoring and Executive Coaching for personal and professional progress, performance and transformation through life transitions and career changes. My approach to treatment is supportive, collaborative and based on engaging your personal strengths and inner resources.
As a licensed clinical psychologist, I have over 20 years of experience working with individuals, couples and families from various backgrounds. I am trained by leading experts in the science of Couples Therapy, Drs. Julie and John Gottman of the Gottman Institute and Dr. Sue Johnson, founder of Emotionally Focused Therapy. I also offer Mentoring and Executive Coaching for personal and professional progress, performance and transformation through life transitions and career changes. My approach to treatment is supportive, collaborative and based on engaging your personal strengths and inner resources.
(239) 260-4252 View (239) 260-4252
Photo of Phyllis Walters - Psychologist         Dr. Phyllis Walters, PhD, LLC
Psychologist Dr. Phyllis Walters
PhD, LLC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Naples, FL 34108
Dr. Walters is a licensed psychologist who earned a Ph.D. in Psychology from The University of Northern Colorado and a Masters degree from the University of Alabama. She completed a dissertation titled Traumatic Brain Injury Self Report: Identifying the Relationship between Personality and Risk Taking Behavior. Dr. Walters works with individuals, families, and couples who are interested in better understanding their struggles, developing effective coping mechanisms, and feeling happier. She specializes in treating depression, and anxiety, grief and loss as well as family conflict. In addition, she provides psychological testing.
Dr. Walters is a licensed psychologist who earned a Ph.D. in Psychology from The University of Northern Colorado and a Masters degree from the University of Alabama. She completed a dissertation titled Traumatic Brain Injury Self Report: Identifying the Relationship between Personality and Risk Taking Behavior. Dr. Walters works with individuals, families, and couples who are interested in better understanding their struggles, developing effective coping mechanisms, and feeling happier. She specializes in treating depression, and anxiety, grief and loss as well as family conflict. In addition, she provides psychological testing.
(239) 449-8406 View (239) 449-8406
Dementia Therapists

Can dementia patients benefit from counseling?

Dementia patients can often benefit significantly from counseling. While neurologists typically treat dementia itself, counselors provide crucial emotional support for patients and their families. Therapists specializing in dementia can help clients navigate aging, end-of-life issues, social isolation, sleep challenges, and grief. They can also assist clients in adapting to the disease by addressing caregiving concerns and supporting family members. Counselors will often also collaborate with a patient's neurologist or other medical providers to manage dementia symptoms and medication needs.

How can you tell if someone has dementia or Alzheimer's?

To determine if someone has dementia or Alzheimer's disease, there are several signs and diagnostic methods that medical professionals use. Early signs of dementia often include memory loss, difficulty with problem-solving, and challenges in completing familiar tasks. Diagnosing dementia or Alzheimer's requires a comprehensive approach, as there is no single definitive test, and initial diagnosis can sometimes be difficult as symptoms tend to worsen progressively over time. To make a diagnosis, medical professionals typically use a combination of methods, including standardized questionnaires and cognitive tests to assess memory, attention, and problem-solving skills, psychiatric evaluations to understand mental health status, brain scans to look for physical changes in the brain, as well as other medical tests to rule out other conditions.

What are the first-line treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease?

There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but catching the disease in its early-to-moderate phases can be beneficial in order to initiate first-line treatments to help manage symptoms. Medications such as galantamine, rivastigmine, and donepezil are examples of cholinesterase inhibitors that are commonly prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, working with a therapist or social worker can also often help patients with the disease address common behavioral and lifestyle concerns, such as anxiety, depression, irritability, sleep problems, social support, and housing changes.

When to seek treatment for Alzheimer’s?

It’s best to seek treatment at the first signs of Alzheimer's. Early warning signs of Alzheimer’s include memory problems, such as forgetting appointments or directions, as well as trouble concentrating, paying attention, retrieving words, and carrying out daily household tasks. An early diagnosis can help people slow the progression of the disease with medication and plan for the future in terms of housing, social/caregiving support, and finances.