Blog for Better Living
7 Strategies for Overcoming Obstacles
By: Other | March 18, 2022
Written by Stephanie Salo, Psy.D. There are often many challenges encountered when trying to solve a problem and reach a goal. The process can be discouraging, and as more obstacles are encountered, frustration and exhaustion magnify. For example, I recently inherited a broken koi pond. I have been determined to either fix it or keep […]
Read MoreA Therapist’s Wish for Your 2022!
By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | January 7, 2022
A new year brings fresh opportunities and possibilities. It signifies a time of reflection and gratitude for what’s most important in our lives. This is especially true with 2021 in the rearview mirror. Although 2021 started strong with vaccinations bringing the hope of some semblance of normalcy, it was still a tough year! We faced […]
Read MoreHow 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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The Effects of Childhood Trauma
By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | August 27, 2021
When we think of childhood, we typically associate feelings of security, love, optimism, and joy. Feeling protected and cared for during our childhood not only allows us to develop a secure sense of self but also healthy relationships later in life. Unfortunately, not everyone grows up feeling this way. Even if you had a generally […]
Read MoreAnxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Substance Abuse, 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 […]
Read MoreAnxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Therapy
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 MoreTransitioning Out from Under Pandemic Depression
By: Lisa Card Strong, Ph.D. | June 28, 2021
When is it time to pick up the pieces and make changes? Or, should I sit still and repeat the same pandemic patterns? Having suffered sequestration in worldwide sickness for more than a year, suddenly we’re signaled to move out into our old lives with some forceable changes already in place. Add to that the […]
Read MoreDe-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 MoreCreative Coping and Tools for the Blues
By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | March 12, 2021
The past year imposed an incredibly challenging time in our lives, in the nation’s history and the world. We can wrestle with our struggles, or we can accept them. By accepting them, we can direct our attention away from the problem toward a way to cope. Of course, difficult times can stretch our normal coping […]
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