Blog for Better Living

Therapy Changes Welcomes Dr. Niyatee Sukumaran

By: Niyatee Sukumaran, Ph.D. | January 27, 2023

I am happy to join the Therapy Changes family, and I look forward to providing care to clients seeking psychological help and support. I consider it both an honor and a privilege when my clients share their stories with me. In turn, it is my pleasure to introduce myself and share my story with you, […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Introduction, Therapy, Trauma

When an Attitude of Gratitude Hurts

By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | December 16, 2022

The holiday season is upon us, and images of seemingly blissful couples and families dressed in cozy winter sweaters are splashed across our media. These happy, “shiny” people are shown enjoying a Thanksgiving feast together, frolicking in leaves, and cuddling by the fireplace. We are encouraged to ‘count our blessings!’ and ‘be grateful’ for what […]

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Depression, Holidays, Personal Improvement

How to Cultivate Self-Compassion

By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | September 16, 2022

Experiences such as loss, pain, and disappointment are unavoidable parts of being human. If we want to feel the good stuff in life such as love, connection, and proud moments, then we must also accept the risk of the flip side of these experiences. For example, if you love someone, you are vulnerable to feeling […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Mindfulness, Personal Improvement, Relationships

How to Positively Respond to Change

By: Lisa Card Strong, Ph.D. | September 2, 2022

Our society is changing in cavernous ways. I never expected a pandemic combined with such significant political and social unrest. I am shocked and profoundly saddened by the horrible rebounds and backward motion for women’s rights and LBGTQ+, Black, and minority communities. I am shaking in my boots from it all. Okay, I’m not wearing […]

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Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Racial Justice, Stress

Navigating Infertility

By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | August 26, 2022

What to Say to a Loved One Struggling and How to Cope Yourself   Driving to work recently, I was surprised to hear an advertisement on the radio for an In vitro fertilisation (IVF) clinic. This made me reflect on how much more normative the topic of fertility or infertility has become. Given the increased […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Family, Grief, Relationships, Stress, Therapy

Learning to be Happy Again After a Loss

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | August 12, 2022

Coping with the loss of someone you love is one of life’s biggest challenges. In fact, few things compare to the devastation and pain that follow the death of a loved one. Life doesn’t feel the same anymore. You feel empty, crushed, and lonely. You may doubt your ability to survive, let alone be happy, […]

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Depression, Grief, Relationships

When It’s More Than the “Baby Blues”

By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | July 22, 2022

Depression and Anxiety During and After Pregnancy   Bringing a child into the world can be one of the biggest and happiest events in your life, but it can also be extremely stressful. Many physical and emotional changes happen during, and after pregnancy, bringing on unique mental health challenges. It is very common for pregnant […]

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Anxiety, Children, Depression, Parenting, Sleep/Relaxation

Finding Hope

By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | July 8, 2022

How do we find hope when everything around us feels overwhelming and impossible? How do we get through the day when there has been so much loss for so many? How do we find the strength to raise our heads when we feel beaten down? I’ve often thought of hope as having a future orientation: […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Racial Justice, Stress, Trauma

Self-Care Doesn’t Always Feel Good

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | June 10, 2022

Self-care has shifted in recent mainstream dialogue from a specific definition to anything that loosely relates to feeling good. Admittedly, I am guilty of using this watered-down, overly generalized definition at times. When I think about self-care, the things that pop into my head are getting a massage, going to the beach, or cuddling on […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Stress