Blog for Better Living

How Therapy Works and What to Expect

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | October 15, 2021

Congratulations! You have taken an important step toward improving your mental health. At Therapy Changes we know it’s not always easy to ask for help, and we honor the courage and strength it takes to do so. Whether this is your first time in therapy, or you’ve had therapy before, understanding how it works and […]

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Personal Improvement, Therapy

Tik Tok and Self-Diagnosing

By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | October 1, 2021

The subject of mental health on social media platforms like Tik Tok is gaining a lot of traction with Gen Zers on their quest to better understand themselves. Tik Tok has taken off in popularity and many people are connecting with videos that explore mental health diagnoses and symptoms. Bre-Ann Slay, Psy.D., writing in psychologytoday.com, […]

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Education, Teens, Therapy

How Can I Tell if My Therapy is Working?

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | September 10, 2021

When I meet with clients for the first time, I ask whether they have had therapy before. If they answer ‘yes,’ I ask what was helpful or not helpful in that experience. I often hear people say they felt like they just vented to their therapist and didn’t get anywhere during their sessions. Surprisingly, many […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Relationships, Therapy, Trauma

Are My Problems Big Enough for Therapy?

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | August 13, 2021

Some clients say they’re ‘just being silly’ when they talk about their problems during therapy. This tells me my clients regard their concerns as unimportant, not valid, or that they do not deserve care and attention. If this is something you’ve heard yourself say, or something others have said to you, you do not stand […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Therapy

Should I Get Help for My Intrusive Thoughts?

By: Demet Çek, Ph.D. | July 30, 2021

We all experience intrusive thoughts like ‘Did I turn off the stove?’ or `What if I get sick with a serious illness?’ or ‘Would I ever jump off this cliff?’ Sometimes we take action to manage the anxiety that accompanies these thoughts such as double checking that the stove is turned off, seeing a doctor […]

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Anxiety, Personal Improvement, Therapy

“Dear Client, you can tell me anything.”

By: Other | July 23, 2021

Written by Stephanie Salo, Psy.D. “I don’t know if I can talk about this here…” As a psychologist, one of my favorite novels is “Lying On The Couch” by Irvin Yalom, MD. Not only does it have a clever title, it made me aware of how often clients choose NOT to disclose to their therapists. […]

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Personal Improvement, Substance Abuse, Therapy, Trauma

Why Should I Meet with My Therapist Face-to-Face?

By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | July 9, 2021

As therapists begin offering psychotherapeutic services in person, why would we discontinue teletherapy? A vital resource during the pandemic yields to in-person psychotherapy services offered again now that vaccination rates have increased in our area and safety mandates have been lifted. Articles and studies over the past year showed teletherapy and in-person therapy as equitable […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Therapy

Dispelling the Myths around PTSD

By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | April 30, 2021

As a psychologist, I’ve worked with clients having a wide range of traumatic life experiences including PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, particularly the myths about it coming up again and again. Last year brought a host of unique challenges, significant loss, and intensely stressful experiences, not the least of which included a pandemic. You […]

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Therapy, Trauma

Therapy Changes Welcomes Dr. Stephanie Salo

By: Other | April 16, 2021

Written by Stephanie Salo, Psy.D. Are you one of those folks who “fake it ‘til you make it” as if gritting your teeth and forcing a smile is the formula to get through the toughest times? While faking anything might work temporarily, increasing awareness of your emotions and learning to use them along with your […]

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Anxiety, Grief, Introduction, Relationships, Sleep/Relaxation, Therapy