Blog for Better Living

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 […]

Read More

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. […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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

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 […]

Read More

Anxiety, Depression, Racial Justice, Therapy, Trauma

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

Introduction, LGBTQ+, Relationships, Therapy, Trauma

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, […]

Read More

Introduction, Parenting, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Stress, Therapy, Trauma