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by Andrea Panebianco, M.S.  Motivational Interviewing is an evidence-based, therapeutic treatment used to help individuals feel more comfortable when they are both striving for, and committing to, change. I personally find Motivational Interviewing to be not only a useful therapeutic technique, but also one which works effectively to create a strong therapeutic bond. The reason I feel this way is because Motivational Interviewing is meant to encourage clients through empathy and understanding, two therapeutic necessities which create a comfortable, safe environment for those engaging with the practice.
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by Rukiya Symister, M.A.  My first experience with the "Love Island" reality T.V. show came when my niece was at my house. I was intrigued by the drama unfolding in front of my eyes of some unlucky guy in love. My initial thoughts were concern regarding my teenage niece watching the show and thinking that she may believe this is how people behave when dating. So, like any good aunt, I binged and watched 20 episodes of Love Island, becoming both enthralled and emotionally invested in these couples. How could one not get wrapped in Lexi stealing Ryan from Ari? I mean, I was literally picking my jaw off the floor. As their storyline developed, I watched Ryan and Lexi build a connection and fall head over heels for each other. I was, for sure, certain that another person could not have broken that bond. But in true reality tv fashion, that would change when another bomb came into the villa. I, of course, had to Google; to find out what couples made it because I could not handle the unknown.
By Melissa Marconi  What is The Spoon Theory and How Can it Promote Better Physical and Mental Wellbeing? When I was in my 20’s I was diagnosed with a chronic illness which not only impacted my physical health, but also led to depression and isolation. There were days I could not get out of bed. I would use my energy to do basic things like shower and go to doctors appointments. Very rarely could I do the things I once enjoyed like hanging out with friends and family or going to bookstores, concerts, and sporting events. One day, I was talking to a friend, and she was telling me about a party she had over the weekend. “All of our friends were there”, she said. I asked “Why didn't you invite me”?
by Melissa Laks, LMSW  Therapy sessions can be a great source of support. You may learn about your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, as well as learn how to take control of your life and respond to challenging situations with healthy coping skills. But a lot of the work that is done in therapy is actually done between sessions, when you’re doing your daily routines. This is when you’ll get opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in sessions.
by Amanda Snizek, LMSW  Have you ever noticed how it’s easier for us to reach for the cold medicine when we are feeling sick, but then we are so reluctant to seek medication from a prescriber when we feel anxious or depressed?
by Jessica Satkunasingham, LMSW  Have you ever struggled talking to your child after school? When you ask them how their day was do you get “fine”, “okay”, or some other one-word answer? I know that it is something that I struggle with daily.
By Janet Whyte, LCSW  Most people seek therapy when they are having a problem that they need help working through, or when their mental health is not doing well. After working with your therapist over time, you may feel as though you have solved your problem, and your overall mental health may start to improve. The question then becomes: do you stop attending therapy now that you are feeling better?
by Denise Wright, Ph.D.  When thinking about ourselves, what we want out of life, and who we want to be, changes may come to mind. Most of us have dreams, aspirations, and ambitions we hope to achieve. Many of us are not exactly where we want to be in life. There may be things you want to do, something you want to stop doing, or things you wish to change. Sometimes, you need an action plan and perhaps some support to make a change. Behavior change can be complicated; many people feel that their dreams are too big, they don't have enough time, or they may be afraid they won't succeed.
There are many ways to influence our success in attaining our dreams. This 10 part series will give you a tools that can help you turn your dreams into accomplishments. I encourage you to read one part at a time and work with it for at least one week before moving on to the next part of the series. by Victoria Pitz, MHC  Both inside and out of the therapy room I have met some of the most inspiring, compassionate, empathetic, passionate individuals, many of whom have expressed interest in joining the mental healthcare field. Most follow this interest with something like “How am I supposed to help others if I can’t fix myself?”
by Sharon Grand, Ph.D.  According to a new study led by University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers, “Elementary school-age children who get less than nine hours of sleep per night have significant differences in certain brain regions responsible for memory, intelligence and well-being compared to those who get the recommended nine to 12 hours of sleep per night.”
These findings would not be surprising for any parent who has ever dealt with with a tired child. Children are highly impacted by fatigue with significant changes in mood, attention, and focus, so it is easy to imagine how consistent, good quality sleep can have positive effects in the long term on their intelligence and well-being. Let’s talk about some tips on how to help your elementary child go to sleep and stay asleep through the night. |