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Sometimes, when I call back in response to a message left on my voicemail, I can tell that the person has no inkling of what psychotherapy is. Other times, all the person knows is that they are overwhelmed, and have been told they need anti-depressants, or their intimate partner is insisting on therapy. So, here is a brief review of what I would like to say to such an inquiry. After a few months to…

The spin instructor implores his class – “Make it count!”. “Don’t regret it later”, he adds. His message is clear – make this moment in time useful, give it your all. Mary Oliver says it a little differently in her poem about a Summer’s Day. Excerpt is taken from her poem: Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to…

Post Partum Depression affects the entire family and must be taken seriously. PPD affects the child in many ways – children of women who suffer with PPD are more likely to be anxious and more insecure in their attachments. I find that women who have had traumatic events in their lives are more likely to suffer from PPD. If there is trauma around the birth of the child, there can also be symptoms of Post…

Learn to hear and be heard effectively A marriage friendly therapist helps the couple communicate better after understanding the emotions of both partners. The couple learns to recognize each person’s feelings about difficult topics, and learns to hear and be heard effectively. This dramatically de-escalates tensions and fights. Then the work begins – to really care for and help each other through learning to give and take, how to ask each other for what one…

Medication doesn’t have to be the first stop in treatment. Doctors routinely treat depression symptoms by handing out prescriptions for anti-depressants. The pharmacology industry and insurance business as well as popular culture and media have made medication the first step in treating depression. There are people who really need medication to be able to get up in the morning and be functional, and medication does have its place under certain conditions. In my opinion, the…

Tens of thousands of Americans seek out professional counseling and psychotherapy each year. Their reasons for doing so are as varied and unique as the individuals themselves. Some may be looking for help in their relationships, trying to cope with the loss of a loved one, or hoping to overcome recurring anxiety and stress, while others may be facing more serious issues such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder, or severe depression. How can an individual…