Anxiety seems like a simple, straightforward topic. After all, it’s a common emotion—everyone feels anxious from time to time. And it’s a common condition. In fact, it’s the most common mental illness in the U.S. Anxiety disorders affect about 18 percent of adults every year. And yet there are many,
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Shared by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., Contributing Blogger October 13, 2018
Parenting is an amazing adventure. It is an honor and a privilege to raise a human being. It is fascinating, and wonderful to witness your kids evolve, and to grow alongside them. But parenting also has many annoying parts—frustrating, challenging, and sometimes downright maddening parts. And sometimes it’s these annoying
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Shared by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., Contributing Blogger October 6, 2018
One of the biggest challenges in treating bipolar disorder is actually accepting the diagnosis. Because, of course, if you don’t believe you have an illness, you won’t focus on managing it. Psychotherapist Sheri Van Dijk, MSW, RSW, has run a group for individuals with bipolar disorder for over a decade.
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Shared by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., Contributing Blogger October 4, 2018
If we have committed a crime, then it makes sense to feel guilty. Many of the rest of us wallow in guilt that we have not earned and do not deserve. Guilt is the perception that we have done something morally, legally, or ethically wrong. Many of us perceive ourselves
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Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger September 26, 2018
“For me, it didn’t feel like mom was really dying, until I saw her dead.” ”I felt her hand. I touched her face. She had been dead for a few hours.” Guest blogger, Laura Brownstone, LCSW has been a grief therapist for over 15 years. Her mother passed over seven years
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Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger September 26, 2018
Clare had a big fight with her boyfriend Tom. She wanted him to come to dinner with her passive aggressive, dysfunctional family. Tom, understandably, did not wish to subject himself to this torment. Tom’s own family was critical and demanding. He had few happy memories of his family growing up.
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Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger September 26, 2018
One day a king decided to humble his most trusted servant. He said to him, “There is a certain ring that I want you to bring to me. I wish to give to the queen for her birthday, which gives you six months to find it.” “If it exists anywhere
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Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger September 26, 2018
You can improve your communication skills by recognizing these four common mistakes. 1) We talk too much! When we talk about something that is sensitive, personal or difficult, we may talk around the subject. We may avoid being specific, trying to be polite, hoping the other person will somehow pick
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Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger September 26, 2018
Therapist: “Besides angry, how else do you feel when people disrespect you?” Client: “Sad.” Therapist: “Where does that sadness come from?” Client: “It’s always been there.” Therapist: “What’s the worst part?” Client: “Like I don’t count, like I’m not important.” Therapist: “Like you were invisible? Some use anger to get
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Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger September 26, 2018
(Therapist) “What has to happen before you can ask for help?” (Client) “I don’t know?” (Therapist) ”You have to trust the person you are asking.” (Client) “I don’t trust many people.” (Therapist)”What has to happen before you can trust people?” (Client) “They have to earn my trust.” (Therapist) “Or you
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Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger September 26, 2018