Expert mental health care with compassion
Are you among the majority of Americans feeling more stressed than ever? Chronic stress has been a public health crisis for many years in the United States and the recent American Psychological Association’s annual survey reveals that it is only getting worse. In fact, most Americans (63%) report moderate to severe stress levels in the past year. The top stressors people identified were: Money – 75% Work – 70% Economy[…]
Many people come to my office looking to “fix” themselves. They seek a change that will somehow bring them a sense of happiness or wholeness. They often have already worked hard to escape their anxiety or depression to beat their bodies into shape to transform their relationships or throw themselves into one project after another. Yet they inevitably find that all this effort has left them feeling disappointed and empty.[…]
We all face emotional suffering at some point throughout our lifetimes. We have all experienced times of sadness, fear, worry, and loss, even if it doesn’t rise to the level of a mental health disorder. Experiencing emotional suffering is tough enough. But many people add a whole new dimension to their suffering by keeping it silent, struggling in secret with shame. And it is this silent, secretive suffering that causes[…]
We all know that it’s important to take care of ourselves but often struggle with how to go about doing this. Does self-care mean eating chocolate cake, getting a massage, going for an intense workout or taking a nap? Maybe…sometimes. Most people worry that self-care is just another chore, another task to take on. But often times self-care means doing less. Maybe it’s time for you to do less caretaking,[…]
Most people spend weeks, months, even years thinking about going to therapy before making that first phone call to schedule an appointment. It’s normal to have mixed feelings about going to therapy. Your hesitation may be a sign of avoidance or an indication that you’re simply not ready. It’s helpful to first understand these two distinct reasons. Avoidance: Avoidance is completely normal as it typically feels scary to begin a[…]
We all want the people we care about to be happy. We want our family and friends to have good health, rewarding relationships, and lots of laughs. But the truth is, we have no control over other people’s happiness, including our partners and children. Often, we realize the futility of trying to make everyone happy. Who hasn’t had the experience of trying to create the perfect experience for everyone,[…]
Let’s face it. The holidays are stressful. Routines are turned upside down, expectations are high, and the emotional triggers are everywhere. Maybe this year feels overwhelming with family and work events, endless obligations. Maybe this year feels lonely and empty, wishing your situation was different than it is. Maybe this year you’re dreading family gatherings and hot topic debates. Or just maybe this year you’re ready to try something new[…]