Tamara J. Hawk, LSCSW, ACSW, has been in private practice since 1989. She offers psychotherapy based on Bowen theory to individuals, couples, and family groups for concerns or symptoms of adjustment, health and emotional functioning. She licensed as a Specialist Clinical Social Worker in the state of Kansas and can accept insurance payments and diagnose/ treat mental disorders, behavioral and emotional problems.
She has experience and special interest with adults and children in working with problems involving eating disorders, children with behavioral and school problems, anxiety, depression, marital problems, family relationship problems, chronic illness, and a variety of concerns.
Treatment for eating disorders is a special clinical and research interest for Mrs. Hawk. Although there are literally hundreds of thousands of research articles on EDs, there continues to be an absense of a coherent view of the problem. The research does point to some important factors:
1) Patients with EDs have a high level of anxiety, depression, and need for approval.
2) Patients are more sensitive and vulnerable to family tensions and conflicts than their siblilngs or non-affected peers. This sensitivity often creates anxiety around digestion (symptoms), appearance, perfection, and acheivement.
3) Family members can assist in the recovery by actively participating in therapy. Parents are important sources of information and action that can lead to recovery.
4) Relapse is common after discharge from inpatient units. The family and the patient both worry about relapse. Life outside of the unit is a very different experience and the types of controls used in-patient are often not possible in family life. Family members have a specific function in supporting the patient after discharge. These facts are an important part of the therapy.
