Our Treatment Philosophy
The treatment philosophy of our clinic is to relieve stress in patients with chronic medical and psychiatric illness. Stress is a major contributing factor in many illnesses, so it makes sense to tackle it directly and help patients gain control over this illness-inducing component.
Every patient has the capacity for self-healing. To make it happen, patients receive training in stress management. Beyond that training, we offer interested patients help discovering the original trauma underlying their illness and working toward its resolution.
Patients, especially those with chronic illnesses, routinely benefit from learning behavioral control of anxiety instead of being prescribed medication for that purpose.
What Makes Our Practice Different
We are not the usual psychiatry practice. Rather than focusing on medication, we focus on psychotherapy, psychological education, teaching resilience and stress management, and deep meditation.
A cancer diagnosis is a huge stress burden, yet most patients are never offered psychological support. Our psycho-oncology services include individual sessions and free small groups of no more than 6 participants.
Learn more about psycho-oncology →
What Dr. Berndt Believes
- People have an innate wish and capability for balance and health. Dr. Berndt works to align himself with that inner force, supporting healthy behaviors by resolving past traumatic experiences and teaching stress management techniques.
- Many problems come from never learning to express feelings. People raised in homes where feelings were discouraged often rely on denial, a coping skill of limited effectiveness that tends to break down over time. Dr. Berndt helps clients recognize their feelings and put them into words, so unresolved issues from the past stop troubling them over a lifetime.
- Psychotherapy is an educational process. In a supportive, non-critical environment, people learn new behaviors and ways of thinking, then integrate those changes into daily life as healthy habits.
Areas of Focus
- Stress-related medical and psychiatric illness
- Anxiety
- Depression, including post-partum depression
- PTSD and related syndromes
- Pain syndromes
- Interpersonal relationships
- Women’s issues
- Pregnancy and fertility-related issues
- Clinical hypnosis for relaxation, childbirth conditioning, and habit disorders (smoking, weight control, fear of flying, and other phobias)
- Work-related issues: stress management, conflict resolution, change management, team building
A Note About Insurance
Because our practice centers on psychotherapy rather than medication management, and because insurance companies generally do not reimburse for psychotherapy, Dr. Berndt is not able to accept insurance as a form of payment. If you need to be seen under your insurance, your carrier can help you find an in-network provider in your area.
Schedule an Initial Assessment
If you or someone you know is looking for a psychiatrist in The Woodlands or surrounding areas, contact us to set up an initial assessment.