Special interests
Dr. Decker is especially interested in the mind-body connection in disease development and in coping with chronic pain. Attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, job and post-traumatic stress, and high blood pressure are other areas of concern.
Certification Psychotherapy, American Board of Medical Psychotherapists; Biofeedback, Biofeedback Certification Institute of America
License Clinical psychology, State of Virginia
Doctor of Philosophy degree University of Connecticut, Storrs
Academic appointments Instructor, University of Connecticut and California State University, San Diego; Assistant Professor, Community Psychology Program, Pennsylvania State University, Middletown; Lecturer, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia; Assistant Professor, Department of Health Education, University of Maryland, College Park
All of the modalities fit into Dr. Decker's self-regulation approach: A behavioral technique that emphasizes how a person can directly affect his or her own healing through the use of specific mind-body skills. And he blends self-regulation into his supportive therapy approach. "With the consent of the patient, healing most often has a lasting effect when it emphasizes skills instead of pills," he says. "I help the patient assume the most active role consistent with his or her medical and lifestyle conditions."
In addition to founding a mind-body practice, Dr. Decker has also been an organizational consultant, run a private practice and published articles in professional journals. His current practice is with WholeHealth Alexandria in Virginia.
Date Published: 4/14/2005
Date Reviewed: 7/2/2007
