Blog for Better Living

A Group Solution for Overcoming Substance Abuse

By: Other | February 21, 2020

Written by John Mark Krejci, Ph.D. Human beings are naturally social creatures. Being a member of a group is an essential part of the human experience. Our families of origin constitute the first significant social group to which we belong. Friends and peers in school offer the next opportunity for successful socialization. These early experiences […]

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Personal Improvement, Substance Abuse, Therapy

The Positive Side of Addiction

By: Other | January 31, 2020

Written by John Mark Krejci, Ph.D. What could possibly be positive about addiction? You know the emotional pain, destructive behaviors, and chaos associated with this increasingly common and unfortunate phenomenon. This unhappy situation surely cannot have a “rosy” side, but it does. The positive part of addiction starts with realization and motivation When addiction makes […]

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Personal Improvement, Substance Abuse, Therapy

LGBTQ+ Folk, Substance Use, and Self Esteem

By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | January 17, 2020

The holidays have come and gone having brought socializing and cheer in the form of anything from eggnog to champagne to cannabis to harder substances too. While the general population might increase alcohol and substance use as a means to celebrate the season, research shows that the LGBTQ+ community increases use of such substances not […]

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Anxiety, Depression, LGBTQ+, Substance Abuse, Trauma

Better Living Through Chemistry?

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | September 27, 2019

Exploring the Role of Medication for Mental Health Disorders The slogan, “Better Living Through Chemistry” was originally coined by DuPont, an American chemical company, in the 1930s. The slogan is also the title of a 2014 movie featuring Jane Fonda and Ray Liotta! For our purposes, the expression brings attention to the important role that […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Substance Abuse, Therapy, Trauma

“Failing” to Succeed

By: Other | July 1, 2019

Written by John Mark Krejci, Ph.D. Experts say it takes about 10 years to master a skill. Given that, I have gained relative expertise in the field of psychology, but in the sport of kiteboarding, it took ten years for me to be a total beginner! If you don’t know this sport by name, you […]

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Anxiety, Grief, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Substance Abuse

The Alphabet Soup of Sexual and Gender Diversity

By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | May 24, 2019

In 1969, after the Stonewall Riots — the violent demonstrations by gay community members in response to a New York City police raid at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village — did men and women in sexual minorities become vocal and active in defining themselves. ‘Gay’ was the first all-encompassing term. It applied to anyone […]

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Anxiety, Depression, LGBTQ+, Substance Abuse