Blog for Better Living

Anxiety, Explained

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | January 10, 2020

What is anxiety? You know that feeling of fear on the first day at your new job? That’s anxiety. Do you recall that apprehension you felt before speaking in public? That’s anxiety. Remember that uncomfortable feeling when moving to a new town? That’s anxiety…and all forms of it represent normal and healthy responses to stress. […]

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Anxiety, Mindfulness, Personal Improvement

Starting 2020 with Mindful Self-reflection Practices

By: Other | January 2, 2020

Written by Kimberly Nenemay, Psy.D. The end of the year and the decade presents a natural pause to take time for self-reflection. One can reflect by asking questions such as “did this go as planned?” or “did this go right?” We may find ourselves thinking in black and white terms such as “did I have […]

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Anxiety, Mindfulness, Personal Improvement, Stress, Therapy

Have the Courage to Say No

By: Kamaljit "Sonya" Virdi, Ph.D. | December 20, 2019

Courage is the bravery to not allow our fears to be in the driver’s seat. Said another way, having courage is having the bravery to say “no” to the fears that would otherwise act as the driving force in our lives. Sitting with my clients each day reminds me that people sense what they need […]

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Personal Improvement, Relationships

In This Moment…

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | November 22, 2019

There is bounty in every moment of our lives. But, how do we capture it? You may have heard of the “new age” practice of mindfulness or the mindfulness groups at Therapy Changes and think this new thing has no place in your busy, full life. This is simply not true. Let me dispel that […]

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Anxiety, Mindfulness, Personal Improvement, Sleep/Relaxation, Stress, Therapy

LOL!

By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | November 1, 2019

Laughing out loud. When was the last time you did that….I mean really laughed out loud, not just responded with a smile to an emoji? And, did you know that humor is an all-purpose super power waiting to be unlocked every day? Psychologically speaking, I can announce that it is so! Embrace your humor superpower […]

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Personal Improvement, Relationships, Stress

Putting It on Pause…

By: Other | October 25, 2019

Written by Haim Shemer, Psy.D. Like a CD that repeatedly plays the same recognizable tunes, our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors can habitually repeat within us, especially since such activities are interconnected and influence each other. We form our habits by gathering experience from the situations we encounter as we go through life. Our perceptions of […]

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Mindfulness, Personal Improvement, Sleep/Relaxation, Therapy

How I Practice What I Preach: A Therapist’s Journey

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | October 11, 2019

A common misconception is that professional Psychologists “have it all figured out.” As a professional Psychologist, I can say as our little known secret is that we don’t have it all figured out. At least, not always. I may have the training and education, but I am also human. I learned partly from my professional […]

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Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Trauma

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 […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Substance Abuse, Therapy, Trauma

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | August 16, 2019

“What’s Love Got to Do With It” by Tina Turner (1984) was, and still is, one of the most iconic female ballads. What’s surprising about the catchy, upbeat tune is that it’s actually an anti-love song about a woman who feels no emotional attachments to her lover. She wants him to know that love has […]

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Personal Improvement, Relationships, Therapy