Your brain is a powerful thing; your mental state not only controls your consciousness, but also determines how your body functions. Stress, grief and depression will have a negative effect on your mental health. Studies have shown that serious mental illness can lower life expectancy by 10-15 years. The rate of mental dis-order diagnoses has grown exponentially in recent years;...[ read more ]

Most children are brought up to be kind and respectful of other people. They are taught to consider others’ feelings and help those in need. But when it comes to taking care of themselves, many people lack the ability to put their own needs first.To some, the concept of self-care is as foreign as the language and customs of far...[ read more ]

No one is ever prepared for a tragedy. In fact, most of us go through our lives believing that tragedies happen to other people.When people do experience a distressing or life-threatening event, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or terrorist attack, they often develop extreme anxiety or PTSD. Many develop ongoing problems with their personal relationships and their own self-esteem.Everyone deals with trauma in...[ read more ]

Do a search right now on Amazon books on the topic of “Happiness” and you will be returned page after page of titles, all claiming to have the secret to finding it. Why our obsession with happiness? Maybe the better questions is, why does happiness seem to elude so many people?At one time, humans were too busy running from Sabre-Tooth...[ read more ]

It’s almost fall, which means store shelves are stocked with low-priced notebooks and markers and glue, et al. Soon the familiar brake hiss of school buses will be heard in neighborhoods across the country as kids head back to school.While some kids begrudge alarm clocks and mountains of homework, they still look forward to school; to enjoying friendships and new...[ read more ]

As a therapist, I often have a front row seat to relationship miracles. Well, okay, there are no miracles really. The fact is “fixing” a relationship takes work. It takes two people wanting it to work and then putting in the effort.Having said that, I have seen couples go from nearly ending it to being back in love, and liking and respecting each...[ read more ]

Quick question: Do you like yourself?When asked this question, most people respond by saying something like, “Of course I like myself.” While their words say they like themselves, what do their actions say?Are you someone who’s comfortable in their own skin? Are you happy with your appearance, or are you constantly comparing yourself to others, wishing you could be more...[ read more ]

Many people are brought up to always be kind to others. But how many of us were taught to be kind to ourselves? Self-compassion, or self-love, can often seem like a foreign concept, particularly to those raised in an abusive or unloving home.Self- compassion and self-love are not to be confused with arrogance or conceit, which are usually indicators of...[ read more ]

Depression and low self-esteem are two sides of the same coin. While low self-esteem leaves people vulnerable to depression, depression can absolutely destroy self-esteem.But, though low self-esteem may be deeply rooted, there are things you can do to improve it, even if you are suffering from depression.1. Start Your Day with PositivityIt’s important you start each day positively. Doing so...[ read more ]

Being a stay-at-home mom can be very rewarding, but also incredibly challenging. There’s the guilt about not bringing home a paycheck combined with, at times, significant loneliness. If you’ve ever felt joy when a salesman shows up unannounced at your front door, you know what I’m talking about! OMG! An adult to talk to during the day! (Right? lol).Here are...[ read more ]

It is said we fear the unknown, which is why many people shy away from receiving therapy. It can be intimidating walking into your therapist’s office for the very first time, not knowing what to expect.On the flip side, some people assume they know everything about therapy and are then quite surprised when receiving treatment.The thing is, though therapy is not as...[ read more ]