Blog for Better Living

Cognitive Behavior Therapy 101

By: Other | May 31, 2016

Written by Asal Azizi, Psy.D. As a therapist who provides Cognitive Behavior Therapy, I often meet with new clients who have heard a thing or two about CBT work, but have never experienced it. As a new client, you may be intimidated by the idea of undergoing CBT or believe it is the answer to […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Stress, Therapy

Dr. Perper Contributes to the Cover Story in the San Diego Reader!

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | May 20, 2016

The cover story of the San Diego Reader, titled We Shared this Bond discusses the importance of group support for children who have lost a mother.  The article features a San Diego-based program, Chula’s Mission. Chula’s Mission was founded in 2010 by Lyndsey Ruiz after the loss of her mother to cancer. Upon realizing the […]

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Children, Family, Grief, Parenting, Relationships

Worden’s Four Tasks of Grieving

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | May 26, 2015

Over the years I have had both the privilege and pleasure of working with many clients and their families who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Many of my client’s will ask, “Will this pain ever go away?” Recognizing the grieving is a unique and challenging process, there is no easy answer to […]

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Grief

Finding Perspective

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | February 17, 2015

I recently came back from a dirtbiking trip to Death Valley and the surrounding area refreshed and refocused. There are many things that I love about dirtbiking like the opportunity to explore new places and be physically challenged. However, the aspect of the sport that appeals to me the most is the ability to Find […]

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Children, Family, Grief, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Stress, Therapy

Emotional First Aid

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | September 27, 2014

Most people experience some emotionally traumatic events, ranging from the manageable to the overwhelming, over the course of their lifetimes. Yet, few people know how to help with the emotional aftermath of traumatic events. Both victims and witnesses of trauma may experience feelings of confusion, fear, sadness, and isolation, and often feel at a loss […]

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Grief, Stress

The Personal Impact of the Death of a Public Figure

By: Other | August 15, 2014

Written by Francine Martinez, Ph.D. Like many of you I found myself shocked and dismayed with the recent death of Robin Williams. He was a public figure who made us laugh, showed us that humor and silliness is an acceptable way to understand the world, and he helped us reflect on critical social issues like […]

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Grief, Stress, Therapy

Hope Loves Company

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | May 7, 2014

The phrase “Hope Loves Company” has been used by Dr. Ken Druck at the Jenna Druck Center. The meaning behind this phrase is that by coming together in times of loss, grieving individuals can gain strength and find hope from one another. For many, the experience of a loss by death is very isolating. Friends […]

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Grief, Therapy

Understanding Childhood Grief Responses

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | December 4, 2013

Children and adolescents grieve differently than adults. Grief occurs in many different circumstances, especially for children. In addition to losing a loved one through death, children grieve when the family has to relocate or change schools. In addition, grief occurs following a traumatic experience, the loss of a relationship, divorce, graduation, the experience of getting […]

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Children, Grief

How to Cope in a “Get Over and Move On” Society

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | October 18, 2013

For those who have experienced loss, disappointment, betrayal, or trauma, the expression get over it and move on is a difficult concept to accept. If you have ever experienced the deep sorrow, confusion, sense of loneliness and aimlessness associated with the situations described here, you know that it’s not that easy to “get over it” […]

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Grief