Bipolar Disorder Counseling in West Palm Beach, Florida

Providing Balance, Clarity, and Emotional Support Through Life’s Highs and Lows for Individuals Suffering from Bipolar Disorder

Are you struggling with unusual shifts in moods and energy in West Palm Beach? Bipolar Disorder, also known as Manic-Depressive Illness, is a brain disorder that causes significant mood swings and changes in activity levels, affecting one’s ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder are severe. They can leave family members concerned and the person suffering from these effects ashamed. Fortunately, Bipolar Disorder can be treated. Bipolar Disorder counseling can help you manage the highs and lows and pursue balance to lead a full and productive life.

I’m Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT, and I offer specialized Bipolar Disorder counseling here in West Palm Beach, Florida. For more than 20 years, I’ve supported individuals who are living with Bipolar Spectrum conditions to find stability, understand their emotions, and regain control of their lives. If you’ve been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, suspect that you may be living with it, or are struggling with mood swings that affect your daily life, you are not alone — and you do not have to take this journey in isolation.

Bipolar Disorder is complex. It’s not “just moodiness,” and it’s not something you can simply “snap out of.” The shifts from manic to depressive states may be long in duration, or the cycling may occur rapidly. These shifts are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time. Bipolar Disorder symptoms can cause damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide.

With the support of a caring therapeutic team, the understanding of loved ones, and the guidance of consistent care, you can build a thriving life full of meaning and joy. If you’re looking for a supportive space where you can better understand your experiences and learn how to manage them, I invite you to begin that work with me.

If you have any concerns regarding yourself or a family member, call me, Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT, now at (561) 688-8787(561) 688-8787 or complete my online form to request a free introductory call.

Key Takeaways

• Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT offers in-person Bipolar Disorder counseling in West Palm Beach, FL with telehealth options available for residents across Florida.
• Bipolar Disorder, also known as Manic-Depressive Disorder, is a mental illness that can include mood swings between manic or hypomanic episodes and severe depressive episodes, but symptoms and treatment plans are specific to each individual.
• Benefits of mental health treatment for Bipolar Disorder include improved mood regulation, deeper self-awareness, relationship support, crisis prevention, and long-term life balance.
• Dr. Christiansen’s Bipolar Disorder treatment sessions are conducted in a nonjudgmental, safe space for healing and clarity.
• Therapy for Bipolar Disorder can help individuals with Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia, Dysthymia or related Mood Instability, including both those newly diagnosed or adjusting Bipolar treatment plans.
• Symptoms or behavior patterns including severe depression and/or full-blown mania can be dangerous or deadly to oneself or others if left untreated, but Dr. Christiansen can provide support with a holistic approach to manage symptoms through tailored treatment options.
• Dr. Christiansen’s mental health care and Bipolar Disorder psychotherapy services provide long-term guidance and emotional support for individuals diagnosed with or exploring Bipolar Disorder.
• Easily request a free introductory call with Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT by phone at (561) 688-8787(561) 688-8787 or through the online form.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar Disorder is a mental health condition characterized by alternating periods of elevated mood (mania or hypomania) and depressive episodes. These shifts are more extreme than ordinary mood changes, often disrupting daily life, relationships, work, and physical health.

There are different types of Bipolar conditions, including:

• Bipolar I Disorder: Characterized by full manic episodes that may last days or weeks, often alternating with Major Depression.
• Bipolar II Disorder: Involves hypomania (a less severe form of mania) and more prolonged periods of depressive symptoms.
• Cyclothymic Disorder: Chronic mood instability with cycles of hypomanic and depressive symptoms that don’t meet full diagnostic criteria.
• Dysthymia Disorder: low mood occurring for at least two years

Bipolar Disorder often presents with:

• Intense emotional highs (euphoria, irritability, increased activity)
• Risky behaviors or impulsive decisions during manic phases
• Deep sadness, fatigue, guilt, and withdrawal during depressive episodes
• Sleep disturbances, anxiety, and relationship strain

Therapy plays an essential role in helping individuals recognize patterns, regulate emotions, improve sleep patterns, build coping strategies, and integrate their experiences into a life of stability and connection.

As a mental health professional with over 20 years of experience, I can help you control manic and depressive symptoms towards more consistency and greater mental and behavioral health. I help patients with strategic mental health services in a supportive setting to ease symptoms and pursue a better life.

Common Challenges People Face with Bipolar Disorder

Living with Bipolar Disorder is more than managing moods — it’s navigating misunderstandings, internal confusion, and sometimes overwhelming life shifts. I help clients who struggle with:

• Frequent emotional instability or mood swings
• Feeling out of control or helpless during episodes
• Strained personal and professional relationships
• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
• Medication resistance or adjustment difficulties
• Shame, isolation, or fear of stigma
• Difficulty setting routines or maintaining daily structure

Bipolar Disorder is highly treatable, but each person’s journey is unique. My role is to offer therapeutic guidance to treat Bipolar Disorder in a way that fits your individual experience and empowers you to take an active role in your health.

How Counseling Helps with Bipolar Disorder

While medication is often an important part of managing Bipolar Disorder, psychotherapy offers emotional insight and practical tools for long-term success. In our sessions, we will focus on:

1. Stabilizing Daily Emotional Patterns

We explore the signals that precede mood changes, helping you build awareness of your emotional cycles.

You will learn to:

• Identify early warning signs of mania or depression
• Create personal mood management plans
• Implement grounding and regulation techniques

2. Building a Strong Therapeutic Relationship

Bipolar Disorder treatment is not just about dealing with symptoms. It’s about having someone you can trust with your whole story. I provide a safe, nonjudgmental environment where you can talk openly about:

• Fear of losing control
• Emotional shame or trauma
• Relationship complications
• The exhausting effort to “hold it together”

You don’t have to pretend in this space. You can be real here.

3. Reworking Thought Patterns

Bipolar episodes often bring distorted thoughts that feel true in the moment. In therapy, we examine these patterns and learn to step back from them.

You will build skills to:

• Address all-or-nothing thinking
• Cultivate self-compassion
• Learn reality-testing and re-centering strategies

4. Supporting Medication and Treatment Adherence

As a mental health professional, I do not prescribe medications directly, but I work collaboratively with medical doctors and other medical health professionals (with your permission) to coordinate treatment plans that can include mood stabilizers such as valproic acid (also known as divalproex sodium or under the brand name, Depakote) for a comprehensive approach to handling mental health conditions.

Together, we will help you understand your medication plan, handle side effects, and integrate emotional care with medical treatment as applicable to your needs.

I am here to help you:

• Understand how therapy complements Bipolar Disorder medications
• Manage resistance or fear of long-term medication
• Align self-care with professional support

5. Supporting Relationships and Boundaries

Bipolar Disorder can put a strain on family, friendships, and romantic partnerships. Therapy gives you space to:

• Talk through past ruptures
• Build communication tools
• Set clear, respectful boundaries
• Educate partners or loved ones with appropriate strategies

What to Expect in Therapy for Bipolar Disorder

Step 1: Assessment and Emotional Mapping

Our first few sessions focus on understanding your history, symptoms, life context, and Bipolar Disorder treatment experiences. A family history of Bipolar Disorder or indicators of mental illness in your family tree may help to provide context for the mix of manic episodes and depressive episodes you experience.

Bipolar or Manic Depressive health conditions can vary, with some patients experiencing depressive episodes that reach the level of severe depression — and hypomanic episodes that can reach full-blown mania.

We’ll also discuss your diagnosis (if applicable) and define your therapy goals. Throughout therapy, I will guide you to pursue mental and behavioral health with compassionate care.

Step 2: Personalized Bipolar Disorder Treatment Planning

I tailor your counseling to your specific needs and strengths with personalized treatment plans. Whether you need to manage day-to-day emotional challenges or address long-term life planning, therapy adapts to support you.

Your therapy and treatment plan may include:

• Weekly or biweekly sessions
• Journaling or tracking tools between sessions
• Psychoeducation on Bipolar Disorder

In the course of therapy sessions treating Bipolar Disorder, I may incorporate the following:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Family-Focused Therapy (FFT)
• Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT)

Step 3: Skill Building and Long-Term Integration

Once we’ve stabilized emotional patterns, we work on longer-term strategies for living well:

• Daily routine and lifestyle planning
• Relationship skills and communication
• Self-trust and relapse prevention
• Career or academic balance

Therapy is not a quick fix, but it is a reliable foundation for managing Bipolar Disorder.

Who Should Consider Bipolar Counseling?

Therapy is helpful whether you’ve been recently diagnosed or have been living with Bipolar for years. You may benefit from this work if:

• You’ve experienced mood swings that disrupt your life
• You’ve been diagnosed with Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia, or Dysthymia
• You feel overwhelmed by managing medications and routines
• You want a safe space to process your feelings and fears
• You’re tired of the cycle and want sustainable, positive change

You do not have to have a formal diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder or other mood disorders to begin seeking improved mental health. Many clients come to therapy unsure of what they’re facing. Together, we can explore and find clarity.

Why Choose Dr. Susan Christiansen for Bipolar Therapy in West Palm Beach?

Professional Experience and Emotional Insight

As a psychotherapist and licensed marriage and family therapist with a Ph.D. in Humanities and Social Science, I’ve worked with individuals across the mood disorder spectrum for over 20 years. My practice is grounded in both clinical training and deep empathy.

Collaborative, Compassionate Approach

You are not your diagnosis. I see you as a whole person, not a label. Together, we identify what’s working, what’s not, and how to build a path that honors your experience while guiding you toward growth.

Trauma-Informed and Nonjudgmental

Many people with Bipolar Disorder also carry unresolved trauma. My therapy space is trauma-aware, emotionally safe, and free of stigma.

Integrated Care Support

If you have already worked with medical professionals or other mental health professionals to address your condition or symptoms, I’m happy to collaborate (with your permission) for aligned care. If you’re not currently under medical supervision, I can help you access the referrals you need.

Ask Questions About Bipolar Disorder or Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT

You don’t have to keep living on an emotional rollercoaster. With the right support, structure, and care, you can find your balance — even through the highs and lows of Bipolar Disorder.

Call me, Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT, now at (561) 688-8787(561) 688-8787 or complete my online form to request a free introductory call.

Let’s work together toward greater stability, emotional clarity, and a life that feels truly your own.

Helping Palm Beach County clients achieve peace and harmony since 2000