Blog for Better Living

Looking Inside “The Man Box”

By: Demet Çek, Ph.D. | May 6, 2022

Coauthored by Demet Çek, Ph.D. and Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. “Speaking for my gender, there are two qualities that define most men: we seldom like to ask for help, and we do not like to talk about our feelings. Combining the two – asking for help about our feelings – is the ultimate affront to many […]

Trauma and Its Aftermath

By: Lisa Card Strong, Ph.D. | April 8, 2022

It’s easy to wish that unwanted, intrusive, and repetitive thoughts about a traumatic event could just disappear and go “poof.” Unfortunately, for those who have experienced trauma, the aftermath is simply not that simple. This article explains what trauma is, how it affects your mental health, and how you can help yourself. Understanding Trauma When […]

The Effects of Childhood Trauma

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | August 27, 2021

When we think of childhood, we typically associate feelings of security, love, optimism, and joy. Feeling protected and cared for during our childhood not only allows us to develop a secure sense of self but also healthy relationships later in life. Unfortunately, not everyone grows up feeling this way. Even if you had a generally […]

“Dear Client, you can tell me anything.”

By: Other | July 23, 2021

Written by Stephanie Salo, Psy.D. “I don’t know if I can talk about this here…” As a psychologist, one of my favorite novels is “Lying On The Couch” by Irvin Yalom, MD. Not only does it have a clever title, it made me aware of how often clients choose NOT to disclose to their therapists. […]

What Are Men’s Issues?

By: Demet Çek, Ph.D. | March 13, 2020

We all heard the myths about men: Men don’t need to talk about their emotions. Men showing their feelings is a sign of weakness. Men, as a group, hold power and privilege. Men also experience psychological and public health issues at disproportionately higher rates than women. They are 2.5 times more likely than women to […]

A Group Solution for Overcoming Substance Abuse

By: Other | February 21, 2020

Written by John Mark Krejci, Ph.D. Human beings are naturally social creatures. Being a member of a group is an essential part of the human experience. Our families of origin constitute the first significant social group to which we belong. Friends and peers in school offer the next opportunity for successful socialization. These early experiences […]

The Positive Side of Addiction

By: Other | January 31, 2020

Written by John Mark Krejci, Ph.D. What could possibly be positive about addiction? You know the emotional pain, destructive behaviors, and chaos associated with this increasingly common and unfortunate phenomenon. This unhappy situation surely cannot have a “rosy” side, but it does. The positive part of addiction starts with realization and motivation When addiction makes […]

LGBTQ+ Folk, Substance Use, and Self Esteem

By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | January 17, 2020

The holidays have come and gone having brought socializing and cheer in the form of anything from eggnog to champagne to cannabis to harder substances too. While the general population might increase alcohol and substance use as a means to celebrate the season, research shows that the LGBTQ+ community increases use of such substances not […]

Better Living Through Chemistry?

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | September 27, 2019

Exploring the Role of Medication for Mental Health Disorders The slogan, “Better Living Through Chemistry” was originally coined by DuPont, an American chemical company, in the 1930s. The slogan is also the title of a 2014 movie featuring Jane Fonda and Ray Liotta! For our purposes, the expression brings attention to the important role that […]