Mindfulness has become almost a buzzword in our culture. Mindfulness is being aware of the present moment without judgment. Current research has found that there are practical applications for mindfulness in therapy. Karen Hooker and Iris Fodor's 2008 article on mindfulness and children provides practical examples for how to teach children mindfulness skills. Children and [...]
What if you didn’t ever use 'what if?' Simply put, since you can put that phrase in front of everything, why put it in front of anything? It no longer has any significance if its use is so universal that using it would imply that any potential scenario is possible. How could one possibly plan [...]
Why are there so many myths and misinformation when it comes to eating disorders? It has been a mental health illness that has plagued women and men throughout history and yet we still have so much stigma and bias towards eating disorders. Let’s understand why and disprove some myths. It probably won’t come as a [...]
Many of us have a stereotype of what an addict or alcoholic is. Some people assume that drug and alcohol addiction is a problem that only certain kinds of people face; this could not be further from the truth. There are many misconceptions about drug and alcohol addiction that can affect not only the addict [...]
We all want a wonderful relationship that will last our entire life. Unfortunately, current statistics have 40-50% of marriages ending in divorce. How do couples go from a great relationship to mediating through lawyers? How does anyone maintain a healthy relationship in or out of a marriage? First, relationships take work. I often use the analogy [...]
Most days I start my morning by rolling out my yoga mat. Most yoga classes follow a similar structure; starting with an intention and moment of meditation. As you begin, your yoga teacher might help remind you to practice “non-attachment.” Non-attachment is the idea of not feeling attached to the results of the class or [...]
While there are several factors that contribute to a healthy relationship, communication is key to maintaining and strengthening a relationship. Sometimes, we can face turbulence in our relationships when we struggle with stress, mental health disorders, or addiction. Without effective communication, all relationships, whether adults or adolescents, are at risk for conflicts. Maintaining our relationships with our significant others, [...]
Summer Weather and Medications Many psychotropic medications increase one's sensitivity to the sun and heat, increasing chances of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Those taking psychotropics can review the listed side effects for heat sensitivity and take special precautions. It is a known fact that many medications come with side effects, most minimal, while others are more serious. [...]
We often get stuck trying to achieve our goals. We set off with noble intentions. We’ll decide that we’re going to start working out, eating healthy, go back to school, move out, obtain financial security or even just simply learn a new hobby. We see other people toting their successes and achievements and yet somewhere, [...]
I was speaking with a friend recently about phones and texting, and he used the term 'phubbing'. While I agree that texting is a viable form of communication, as a mental health professional, I'm concerned that too many teens and adults attempt to carry on a conversation through texting while they ignore the person standing in front of [...]
