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Psychotherapy

Scott Thomas, PhD and Karen Sands, MA

Surgery can be such a life-changing experience that unexpected emotional, physical, and mental issues often arise that can be difficult to handle.

Introspective therapy explores the emotional components of cosmetic surgery. This
includes the decision making process, overall life satisfaction, pre-surgery emotions and thoughts, the connection between the internal and external image, movement in identity, post-surgical reactions, and adjustment to a new body image. While all medical decisions are between the patient and Dr. Ronel, therapy allows the development of attitudes and expectations to enhance a successful outcome for the procedure. Possible topics include how image affects identity and influences one's life, how to adapt to life changes and transitions, current life stage satisfaction level, and self empowerment and self soothing.


Scott Thomas, PhD

Psychotherapy
Scott Thomas has been a therapist in Santa Fe for over 20 years. His childhood education was of indigenous knowledge taught by his grandparents and other elders and healers on the Cheyenne River Reservation. His degrees are from the University of New Mexico, the New Mexico Theological Seminary, and New Mexico Highlands University, where he has also taught psychotherapy. He has been the Executive Director for a child sexual abuse treatment center, the Clinical Director of a treatment program for teens, and he has developed clinical community resource programs. He has presented at conferences on the topics of cross cultural work with Native Americans, substance abuse and brain development, and the effects of trauma on identity development. He blends a Western psychological practice with the traditional Native beliefs from his upbringing, and helps people live their lives in harmony, joy, and effectiveness.

Psychotherapy
Karen Sands, LPCC, LMSW
Karen Sands has been a psychotherapist in private practice in Santa Fe for 20 years. Her practice encompasses a wide range of individual and family issues, and she is an advocate for those who wish to explore their behaviors, choices, and personal presentations. She is on the faculty of Southwestern College where she teaches Ethics and Advanced Counseling, and she has led Ethics and Counseling workshops throughout the region for the past 10 years. She serves on the Continuing Education and Ethics committees for the New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board. She received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado and her M.A. in Psychology and Social Work from Antioch University.