Blog for Better Living

De-Stigmatizing Mental Health and Access to Care in Communities of Color

By: Other | March 26, 2021

Written by Kimberly Nenemay, Psy.D. A year ago, our lives changed in dramatic ways. Not only did the U.S. make the official announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Ahmaud Arbery were tragically killed, igniting protests for equal rights and against systemic oppression and racism.[1,2,3] While the protests have died down, and […]

Prolonged Exposure as a Treatment Option for PTSD

By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | February 19, 2021

Have you suffered exposure to death or threats of death, sexual violence or serious physical injury? Do you have nightmares or intrusive memories of some past traumatic event? Do you feel irritable, emotionally numb, or on edge? If so, you may be experiencing symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Do I need trauma-focused treatment? PTSD […]

Relationships, Therapy, Trauma

Therapy Changes Welcomes Dr. Gregory Koch

By: Gregory E. Koch, Psy.D. | December 26, 2020

In our era of “snapshot appearances” and social media, being yourself can be hard. It isn’t easy to keep up appearances, and this takes a toll on our self-esteem and self-identity. That is why having a place where you can be yourself, let your guard down, be vulnerable, and be seen is so important. Holding […]

Therapy Changes Welcomes Dr. Kristen Lipari

By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | September 18, 2020

I am thrilled to join the Therapy Changes family and look forward to serving our diverse and resilient clients. I understand that in your own family you might have received the message that therapy signals weakness, especially for those who really struggle. I received similar messages growing up as an Armenian American ethnic minority. However, […]

Silence is No Longer an Option for the South Asian Community

By: Kamaljit "Sonya" Virdi, Ph.D. | August 14, 2020

#Breakingthestigma4nima may have appeared on your social media because of the untimely death of Nima Bhakta on July 24, 2020. Prior to her death, she wrote about the South Asian community’s lack of understanding about postpartum depression. Her story humanizes postpartum depression for the community, and I commend her family for their courage to publicize […]

Depression, Therapy

Letting Go of F.E.A.R.

By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | July 31, 2020

Let’s be real: Right now most of us endure some level of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty in this ever-changing pandemic reality. Now more than ever must we find ways to manage our stress and worry as we continue living our lives in these uncertain times. Coping can take extra creativity, given the limited or non-existent […]

Anxiety, Mindfulness, Stress, Therapy

Maintaining Motivation Amidst Uncertainty

By: Demet Çek, Ph.D. | July 17, 2020

We all need motivation not only for important things we must do but also for those we like to do. Motivation is dynamic as with many other psychological constructs. External and internal factors influence motivation, changing it frequently. External circumstances created by the pandemic cause uncertainty all around us. We do not know what the […]

Anxiety, Personal Improvement, Therapy

Allyship

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 […]

Why You Should Get Help Now

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | June 5, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered every aspect of our lives. From access to health care, our work, education, how we socialize, and how we take care of ourselves, we feel that the world has changed. It has, and it changed quickly. We know it’s temporary, but recovery feels like forever. Those experiencing losses by death, […]