Dr. Robert Heller

Test anxiety is a sub set of “performance anxiety”, and can be defined as an “ excessive and/or exaggerated worry over taking a test or fears about its consequences.” Many “good students” who perform well in class, study and prepare for the test often don’t perform up to what might otherwise be expected . The problem usually increases in direct correlation to the perceived importance of the exam. For some, even taking test preparation classes which focus on learning tricks to understand the questions, manage their time better and practice taking sample tests may not make a substantial difference. As a psychologist with a private practice in Boca Raton, Florida and as a former school psychologist, I have worked with many individuals for whom test preparation and skills building did not help performance because the critical element of their anxiety was not adequately addressed. Once anxiety is triggered, it interferes with memory, concentration and decision making. Mistakes increases, time management goes out the door and the individual starts rushing or second guessing their responses. The triggers of the tension are almost always harmful attitudes that lead to negative thinking and physical tightness. Common harmful ideas commonly held consciously or unconsciously by test anxious individuals include beliefs like: “ If I don’t do well, I will never get a good job or career” “People will think less of me”, “I couldn’t stand disappointing my parents”, “A poor score proves how inadequate I am”, “I can’t stand the discomfort the anxiety around taking tests.”

Learning how to identify and replace these and related unhealthy beliefs with healthier and more useful ones is one of the main contributions I provide as a cognitive therapist. I also teach behavioral methods such as deep breathing to help manage and reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety such as blushing, hyperventilating and headaches.

For more information on this topic, go to www.cognitivetherapy.cc or email info@robertheller.net.

With the growing use of technology in our lives, counseling via the telephone as become a growing part of my practice of psychology.  Rather than being limited to helping clients who are within driving distance of my Boca Raton office, I can, in many cases reach out to assist people anywhere.

More and more with business travel ever increasing, rather than waiting for weeks at a time to meet; I can maintain contact and provide counseling and therapy while they are away. This provides greater consistency and frankly, effectiveness of treatment.

For individuals who are elderly or ill and have problems getting to an office, the telephone provides easy and convenient access to help.

For some conditions like agoraphobia, where an individual is literally homebound, phone therapy provides an opportunity and starting point for overcoming their problems.

With my elite athletes, phone therapy provides the opportunity to help prepare them for competition and process their performance afterwards while things are fresh in their minds rather than having to wait weeks later. 

With the increasing use of SKYPE, there is now a visual connection, making the counseling experience by phone ever closer to the office experience.

Of course, certain experiential therapies like EMDR and bio feedback can only take place in the therapy office, but with technological advances more and more people can receive the help they need.