Blog for Better Living

The Role of Medication in Therapy

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | July 25, 2013

For the past twenty years and more, filmmakers have depicted various types of therapy situations. From the comedy Analyze This starring Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal to the provocative HBO series In Treatment, the role of a Psychiatrist has captured the fascination of the general public. Probably the most recognized image of a Psychiatrist […]

Therapy

Grief in the Public Media: Mourning the Loss of ‘Glee’ Star Cory Monteith

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | July 17, 2013

Grief is in the news this week with the death of 31-year old ‘Glee’ actor Cory Monteith who passed away Saturday, July 13th of an overdose of heroin and alcohol. The Canadian-born actor, who played Finn Hudson on the Fox TV series about a high school glee club, has touched thousands of lives with his […]

Grief

Normal or Not? The Distinction between Grief and Depression

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | July 5, 2013

Recently a client came to my office following the death of her husband. When asked what brought her to therapy, she responded by saying her adult children had suggested she come. “Why?” I asked, for which she replied, “They are worried that I might be depressed.” In fact, many people who are grieving a loss […]

Grief

How to Keep the Fire Burning in a Relationship

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | June 4, 2013

A long-term healthy relationship takes hard work. This fact is often overlooked because it is easy to become complacent or comfortable in long term relationships or marriages. However, a small increase in time and energy spent on the relationship can reap great rewards. When our relationships are working well, everything else in our lives runs […]

Relationships, Therapy

Being a Stepmother on Mother’s Day

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | May 13, 2013

Mother’s Day is a time for Mom to be acknowledged for the hard work and unconditional love she offers to her children and family. It is typically celebrated as a time for Mom to bask in the glow of love and attention from her partner and children. For stepmoms, Mother’s Day can trigger the deepest […]

Children, Family, Relationships

Pets as Therapy

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | May 7, 2013

For those of you who visit our office regularly, and who may have come on that “special Thursday” once a month, you may have met our furry friend, Kalvin. He is a beautiful German Shepard brought to us by our Client Care Director, Rebecca. What started out as an experiment has proven to be a […]

Therapy

Therapy Changes Joins the San Diego Victim Assistance Coordinating Council in Recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | April 23, 2013

Each April since 1981, the US Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has recognized National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to honor crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. This year’s Crime Victims’ Week will be April 21-27. The theme is “New Challenges; New Solutions.” This theme reflects both the progress that has been […]

Grief, Stress

What Do Dreams Mean?

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | April 17, 2013

Have you ever had a dream so vivid and realistic that you had the sense that it had actually happened? If the answer is ‘yes,’ then you are not alone. For some, dreams can be so powerful that they find themselves thinking of the dream for days, or even weeks at a time. New research […]

Sleep/Relaxation

Child Concepts of Death

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | March 20, 2013

The loss of a loved through death one can be an extraordinarily difficult time for everyone in the family. For children, this can also be a time of confusion and fear. Depending on a child’s age, he or she may not fully understand the concept of death and not yet realize that death is permanent. […]

Children, Grief