This is what most people think obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) looks like: washing your hands excessively because you’re a germaphobe. Sometimes, people think it’s also needing to have a neat, orderly home, and checking to see if you locked the door way too many times. And while some of this is
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Shared by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., Contributing Blogger November 2, 2018
There’s a prevailing belief that exploring your past in therapy is pointless. A complete waste of time. After all, talking about past circumstances doesn’t change them. It’s also self-indulgent and narcissistic, right? And it takes too darn long. You can talk about your childhood for years and not get anywhere.
Read More Shared by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., Contributing Blogger October 31, 2018
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,
Read More 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
Read More 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.
Read More 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
Read More 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.
Read More 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
Read More 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
Read More Shared by Aaron Karmin, LCPC, Contributing Blogger September 26, 2018