Blog for Better Living
What To Do About Re-Entry Anxiety Post-COVID Vaccination
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | May 7, 2021
Do you rank among the folks who feel anxious meeting people in person again? Are you still skeptical of social groups? Nearly 50% of Americans harbor anxiety while resuming in-person interactions post-pandemic, states a report from the American Psychological Association (APA). Those vaccinated against Covid expressed equal unease at social interactions as those who have not had the vaccinations. […]
Read MoreVaccine Hesitancy: To Have or To Hold on the COVID-19 Shots
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | March 5, 2021
After nearly a year of quarantine, COVID-19 vaccines are now available, representing hope for many while leaving lots of folks feeling hesitant and reluctant about receiving them. I was one of those folks. Over the past year, however, I followed the science and reviewed the data, which over time alleviated my doubts. By the time […]
Read MoreGender Identity Basics: Understanding Non-Binary, Transgender, and Gender Fluid People
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | December 4, 2020
Chances are you will encounter someone in your life, if you haven’t already, who is non-binary, transgender, or gender fluid. Knowing what this means, and how to be respectful of people’s differences is important. Understanding these terms can be hard, especially if you are learning these concepts for the first time. This article will discuss […]
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Teens and COVID-19
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | September 11, 2020
Teens have difficult times during COVID-19. They miss seeing their friends and classmates in person. Socializing with peers is an important part of teen development while COVID-19 creates a social distancing challenge. The big letdown of not attending graduations, proms, sports, or college visits means many teens feel frustrated, depressed, irritable, annoyed, and sad. Healthychildren.org […]
Read MoreAllyship
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | June 19, 2020
Our country is in a state of unrest, as protesters take to the streets in support of racial equality. As we watch events unfolding on the news, we feel anxious, stressed, afraid, and for some…determined: determined to make things better for people of color. Many of us, however, are unsure what to do or where […]
Read MoreAnd We Danced . . .
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | May 1, 2020
Over the past few months, the COVID-19 virus has had a tremendous impact on the world. I see people overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, and afraid of intimate contact with others outside of their family or housemates. Although COVID-19 presents as a novel experience for many, gay men like me see it with a lot familiarity. We’ve […]
Read MoreTransphobia
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | March 27, 2020
Trans folk in our country are under attack. Multiple states have tried to pass ‘bathroom bills.’ South Dakota even tried to pass a law that would imprison for up to 10 years any medical provider who assisted a minor with transitioning. Last October, Time magazine reported analyzing 10 million social media and online posts over […]
Read MoreLGBTQ+ 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 […]
Read MoreLGBTQ+ Holiday Survival Guide
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | November 8, 2019
The holidays are times of joy and sharing, and so it should be for the LGBTQ+ community too. The holidays for that community can include times of particular stress as we return to our original families to celebrate the season. Some families show more affirming acceptance than others. The holidays present stress for many although […]
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