Blog for Better Living

Dr. Demet Çek Joins Therapy Changes

By: Demet Çek, Ph.D. | March 15, 2019

What fascinates me is the powerful role that emotions play in directing human behavior. Emotions are central to our experience, whether they are expressed through the beats of a song that make masses dance together or through psychological symptoms that cause social isolation. My interest in emotions led me to study psychology at Koç University, […]

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Anxiety, Introduction, Therapy

What it Means to be a Highly Sensitive Person

By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | January 29, 2019

You probably know what it means to be an introvert versus an extrovert. Such psychological terms are now mainstream. They help us understand and empathize with one another’s differences. Few people, however, know what it means to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) versus a non-HSP. Psychologist, Dr. Elaine Aron, wanted to better understand herself […]

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Anxiety, Parenting, Relationships, Stress

Therapy Changes Welcomes Dr. Kimberly Nenemay

By: Other | December 14, 2018

Written by Kimberly Nenemay, Psy.D. My interest in psychology and people in general is a meandering story that began when I was very young, and continues to this day. At college, I quickly became aware of my interest in studying a wide range of subjects. A liberal arts education was important to me once I […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Introduction, Mindfulness, Stress, Yoga

Avoiding Avoidance to Manage Anxiety

By: Other | December 7, 2018

Written by Haim Shemer, Psy.D. What is anxiety? It’s one of the most distressing emotions that people can experience! If you have ever felt anxious, you may be among the estimated 40 million adults affected by anxiety disorder in the U.S. It is the most common of mental illnesses. People who suffer from anxiety disorders […]

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Anxiety, Personal Improvement, Therapy

Integrating Yoga Practices into Therapy

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | November 2, 2018

“Come with me to a yoga class!” said my friend Caroline to me sometime last year. “Why on earth would I want to go to a stretch class with strangers I don’t know?” I thought to myself. If you relate to this sentiment, you are not alone. I harbored great skepticism about the practice of […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Mindfulness, Therapy, Yoga

How to Raise Awareness of our Emotions

By: Other | October 5, 2018

Written by Haim Shemer, Psy.D. Are you aware of your emotions? Can you identify the emotions that give rise to your feelings of anxiety, disturbance, bad behavior, or other uneasy states of mind? To help us with meanings, Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word emotions as: the affective aspect of consciousness a state of feeling a […]

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Anger, Anxiety, Grief, Mindfulness, Sleep/Relaxation

The ‘Nature’ Effect

By: Other | September 21, 2018

Written by Anke Reineke, Ph.D. Is it not natural for humans to spend time in nature? Is it not a vital component of our well-being? I’ve been enjoying the outdoors my whole life. During my childhood, being outdoors was the only place I wanted to be. I spent many hours every day on playgrounds or […]

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Anxiety, Children, Parenting, Personal Improvement, Stress

You Are What You Think

By: Other | July 11, 2018

Written by Haim Shemer, Psy.D. Let’s think about thoughts for a moment. We have heard and seen the phrase “you are what you think” quoted many times in many places. It is one of the most powerful statements that I like to share with others, but with much caution. The phrase is simple. It is […]

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Anxiety, Mindfulness, Personal Improvement

How to Reduce Anxiety by Using Your Body as a Tool

By: Other | June 29, 2018

Written by Paul Paris, Ph.D. Anxiety, as an emotion, urges us toward fight or flight behaviors like running away or freezing. Anxiety can mobilize our bodies and mind toward immediate action in response to an accurately perceived danger or threat in the environment. Research on anxiety shows that all of us need a “healthy” level […]

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Anxiety, Mindfulness