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Dr. Beverly Dexter

Clinical Psychology
Vacaville, CA
27 years experience female

Locations

Office

Vacaville, CA

Address

Vacaville, CA
Directions

My office hours

Thursday: Closed
Show more

About

Bio

Hello, I am Dr. Beverly Dexter, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Retired Navy Commander with 4 shipboard tours and 3 tours with Marines and Army stateside and in Iraq. I am an expert in the prevention and treatment of combat and other trauma and am the author of "No More Nightmares: How to Use Planned Dream Intervention to End Nightmares." My original theory, Planned Dream Intervention has been extremely successfully taught to over 35,000 people world wide, is a one-time three hour class, and the majority of students stop being woken up by their dreams as of the day of the class. I teach my No More Nightmares class over Skype or VTC, or in person. With decades of serving families in distress, I also developed a manual and CD, "Resilient Relationships" that many families report completely turned around the family or couple miscommunications, hurt feelings and fights. All of these trainings are very user-friendly and safe. Please ask me for more information or to see about individual sessions. Wishing you peaceful nights and days free of anxiety.

Specialties
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.

Clinical Psychology

Licenses

United States: California, Mississippi

Doctor Q&A

234 Answers
3 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
No More Nightmares: Dreams with unusual content are not uncommon after disturbing or stressful events. The issue is not the dream content but rather the problem of being ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Speak up if uncomfor: It really is questionable if a doctor touches you in any way that feels uncomfortable emotionally or inappropriate. Doctors should always ask first, o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Sleep disturbance: What type of sleep disturbance? Insomnia, nightmares, stopping breathing during sleep, may all be caused by different conditions. More information a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Nightmares: Research has long shown that it isn't the content of our dreams or how often we have the dream but rather how we react to dreams that causes the probl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
SSRI and sleep: It isn't uncommon to see an increase in insomnia in the first few weeks of starting an SSRI but nightmares are not common. Recommend you see a Psychol... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Anxiety and insomnia: Insomnia makes many things worse but there are other therapies such as therapeutic journaling, that can help with both sleep and grief. https://www.fa... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
OCD: Please also see a Psychologist expert in anxiety disorders, especially if you have any trauma history. OCD may have a strong genetic piece so the righ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 30-year-old male asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Anxiety: I most recommend EMDR Therapy for faster resolution of anxiety. there are also a number of extremely effective "distraction" or "grounding" skills we ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
No More Nightmares: Dreams with unusual content are not uncommon after disturbing or stressful events. The issue is not the dream content but rather the problem of being ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Nightmares: There is no validity to any theory of dream interpretation. Our goal is to help you sleep through your dreams and wake up feeling refreshed. My class ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 59-year-old male asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Anxiety: Effective therapy, such as EMDR, can resolve anxiety long term. Tapering off benzos too fast and without therapy is not a good idea. Please see an exp... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Anxiety: Compulsive types of behaviors are very different from Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar is genetic, and includes long periods of staying awake (in mania), som... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Wellbutrin (bupropion) & adderal: They are different classes of medications and some doctors may prescribe both, but you need to work directly with a Psychiatrist as they are much more... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Anxiety symptoms: Anxiety can produce a wide range of symptoms, some which seem like neurological, or make you feel like you are losing your mind. But you don't actuall... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 39-year-old female asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
In a dream?: Not sure what the original question was or the exact symptoms, but actual diagnoses of derealization or depersonalization are uncommon. We need a more... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Sedating meds: All hypnotics and benzodiazepines have the ability to produce tolerance, so the same dose has less effect over time--possibly leading to feeling more ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Sleep and anxiety: Sounds like your symptoms are more complex.. Recommend a good assessment interview first. Different anxiety or sleep disorders require different treat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Alcohol and sleep: Although alcohol is a CNS depressant and can make you feel sleepy, what goes down must come up, so your brain becomes more activated again and sleep i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Nightmares: Research has long shown that the dream content and frequency of nightmares is not what is important. What is important is how we react to it. You can ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Relationships: Having platonic friends is part of a healthy life for sure. However, if you are in a partner type relationship where there would normally be intimacy ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Transgender: If you are looking for therapeutic help, your local LGBT Center can recommend good therapists who are culture sensitive. Sadly, graduate school and a ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Relationship & mood: They may be 2 different issues. Is your partner concerned about your mood and wanting to help? They don't have to be your therapist, but in a good rel... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 50-year-old member asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Best tx for sleep: The best treatment for a sleep disorder starts with a visit with a Psychologist or Physician expert in sleep disorders. They may refer you back to you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Relationship: If the person indicates they want to be in a relationship with you that is a good start. If they have the diagnosis with an organic cause(connective t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Sleep disorders: Sleep disorders can usually be best assessed and treated by a Psychologist or Physician expert in sleep disorders. Insomnia for example is usually bes... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Nightmares: As a sleep disorder and trauma expert I have had many patients who have had chronic nightmares for many decades. We were able to stop them! Check on m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Nightmares: The brain does not 'break down' but research shows that it is not the content of a dream or the frequency of dreams but rather how we react that is im... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
PTSD and driving: If you are having symptoms that affect your motor or cognitive functioning talk with your physician about safety. And if any medication makes you feel... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Sleep disorder: Depends on symptoms. Insomnia is best treated unusually with Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia(I teach this), nightmares can be resolved wit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Night shaking: People can be reacting to a dream but not remember any content. But good idea to ask about possible sleep study and physical exam in case an organic c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old male asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Nightmares and anxie: I strongly recommend EMDR as the best therapy, and the fastest, to resolve trauma. For nightmares I teach my class No More Nightmares and the skill of... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Anxiety: Please also reach out to a Psychologist expert in treating anxiety disorders. If you have any trauma history(trauma as relevant to you) please see a t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
No More Nightmares: Dreams that wake you up may be a symptom of unresolved trauma, or ongoing chronic stress. The headache could definitely be a result of the dream. but ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Prazosin: Prescribing prazosin for nightmares is like putting a bg bandage on a badly infected wound--you can cover it up for a while the infection is still the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 42-year-old female asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Bipolar?: Your mental health provider SHOULD tell you what their diagnosis is because it is part of helping you to make informed choices about your care. You ha... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 51-year-old male asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Chills and anxiety: They can be, and if anxiety related would likely go away without medical intervention. If you have persistent episodes of chills please see your prima... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 40-year-old male asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Plane phobia: Recommend you see a Psychologist expert in EMDR Therapy. This type of therapy is extremely effective for treating phobias. there are EMDR trained ther... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A male asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Zoloft & Wellbutrin (bupropion): With the hundreds of Physicians I work with closely, I frequently see combination anti-depressants by experienced Psychiatrists. They are usually pres... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Sleep: If the neck strain went away or if you already know what caused it and are getting treatment, it may be anxiety. But medication is not the only answer... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Coffee: Caffeine affects people differently, so I don't assume it is going to affect mood. Sometimes we will recommend some early morning caffeine consumption... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Panic attacks: Panic attacks can last for several hours for many people, but can be treated! Please talk to your doctor about medication options (usually SSRIs) and ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Insomnia and fatigue: People have different reactions to Ativan (lorazepam) and it can certainly make you feel tired and dizzy. If you have chronic insomnia Cognitive Behav... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old male asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Depression: If it is your family home, please reach out to someone you trust or to an organization that might help with safe shelter. If you don't have a place to... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 41-year-old male asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Sleep meds: Benzodiazepines are CNS depressants so they will help you to relax but daily use over a long time can produce tolerance. But that is not a permanent b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Anxiety: It would be best to talk one on one with an experienced psychologist about whatever the source of the anxiety is. Medication can definitely help manag... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Specific anxiety: Find a good description of 'deep breathing' from Internet, but also consider taking something with you that you find soothing. It could be a special s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 40-year-old female asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Neuropeptides: The limbic system,the emotional control center of the brain, and the digestive tract are two places where neuropeptides are produced in heavy concentr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Anxiety and Buspar (buspirone): Buspar (buspirone) may not be an effective enough med for significant anxiety. Recommend you talk to you doctor and explain what effect and side effec... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Relationships: Not sure what the specific question is, but good communications, including listening, are described in many good books. I also produced a workbook, Re... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Beverly Dexter
Clinical Psychology 27 years experience
Prazosin: Better method to treat nightmares is Planned Dream Intervention. I teach this in my No More Nightmares class and book. Learning this skill first allow... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Testimonials
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.

100
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! THANKS, yes I meant like it makes me feel like I'm loosing my mind or have brain aneriosm or brain bleeding something to that nature.
HealthTap member
This made me feel good. Thanks! Thank you! this was a while ago and I did end up getting help. Things are so much better :)
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thanks for you response will see my PCP, next week. Have a bless day!

Education & Training

Medical/Graduate school

California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego
Graduated 1996MD

Residency

Naval Medical Center San Diego

Awards

Meritorious Service Medal, US Navy
Navy Commendation Medal x 2
Army Commendation Medal

Affiliations

EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)- Founder and Chair of Military Special Interest Group
International Society For Traumatic Stress Studies -Founder of Military Special Interest Group
American Academy Of Sleep Medicine

Publications

No More Nightmares: How to Use Planned Dream Intervention to End Nightmares
Instructor's Manual for Teaching Planned Dream Intervention
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