Category: In the Loop

Our family plays a huge role in determining our identity and what we become, both for the better and for the worse. We learn how to interact with the world around us, while forming our beliefs, values and overall personality. If we are born into a family that struggles to emotionally connect with each other, it can lead to a lack of confidence in ourselves and various other issues. One way that families can work on providing a supportive environment for individual family members is through family therapy. Family therapy is an effective way to address various issues within a family and even heal emotional wounds. There is evidence to support the effectiveness of family problem solving and multisystemic family therapy, says an article by the PACFA Research Committee. Here are some goals that can be achieved with family therapy. 1.   Better Adjustment If one or more of the family members is suffering from a mental disorder, it can lead to a lot of added stress within the family. Some members might show very low levels of acceptance. Here, the goal of family therapy is assist the family to understand the nature of the disorder. 2.   Improved Understanding Effective family… Read more »

Did you know that between 40% to 50% of marriages in the US end in divorce? An article published by the American Psychological Association highlighted this alarming fact. The article goes on to state that in subsequent marriages, the percentage is even higher. When things start to fall apart in a marriage, many couples choose a period of separation, rather than opting for divorce straightaway. This gives them time to reflect on their decision. If you are currently in such a situation and wish to save your marriage, here are some things that could help. 1. Don’t Force Anything When a married couple decides to separate, it is seen quite often that one partner wants a divorce while the other wants the marriage to continue. If you’re the one in a separation who doesn’t want to divorce, the first thing you need to understand is that becoming impatient and resorting to badgering or threats will do more harm than good. The best you can do is show constructiveness by respecting your partner’s choice. 2. Figure Out the Problems Separations happen because of issues that have been swept under the rug. In fact, many people are caught off-guard when the separation… Read more »

There has been a 33% increase in the cases of major depression in the US since 2013, says an article on Blue Cross Blue Shield. However, the increase in mental health awareness and the useful part played by mental health service providers has successfully helped millions of people overcome their mental and emotional issues. What is Individual Therapy? Individual therapy is explained as a therapeutic process in which an individual seeks help from a therapist, who can be a psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor or social worker. By communicating with a trained therapist people have found that they are better able to cope with mental, emotional or behavioral issues, such as anxiety, stress, insomnia, food eating disorders, addiction and anger issues. An experienced therapist can help you overcome emotional or relationship issues using a specific form of psychotherapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and effective meditation techniques, says an expert at the Institute for Personal Growth. What are the Advantages of Individual Therapy? One of the major reasons why people choose individual therapy is privacy. The confidentiality that therapists of all types are bound by gives people the confidence to disclose even the most intimidate moments and fears…. Read more »

Did you know the holiday season is a time when most people spend more than they can actually afford? A study found that in 2017, holiday sales were highest in the electronics category, amounting to over $122.1 billion. And, over-spending during the holidays can lead to seasonal depression or holiday blues. What is Seasonal Depression or Holiday Blues? While for some people, festivals are all about fun, celebration, social gatherings and parties, others may feel lonely, sad, anxious and depressed. Sadness is a personal feeling, but several factors can affect how an individual feels. Various sources, such as stress, exhaustion, financial stress, lost family member or broken relationships, can lead to holiday blues, says an article on WebMD. And, this stress can lead to various symptoms, including headaches, insomnia, over-eating and excessive drinking. Psychotherapy and counseling can help an individual learn effective means to cope with not just the symptoms, but also the root causes, says an expert at Institute for Personal Growth. Tips to Deal with the Holiday Blues Various factors contribute to seasonal depression or the holiday blues, such as excessive drinking, exhaustion, loneliness, overspending and more. In order to cope with the holiday blues, it is important… Read more »

Connection is the most important part of any intimate relationship, however, it is usually the part that is most neglected.  If your connection to your partner isn’t fueled, the fire can go out.  When the relationship was new the connection got fed by the excitement, the hormones and the unlimited possibilities.  Then, life happened and things got in the way and before you knew it, the connection began to get weak. The good news is that you can awaken and energize your connection and have some fun while doing it. Below are 5 couple’s therapy techniques you and your partner can do at home: 1. Teach Something New to Each Other. Think of something you are good at that your partner has little or no experience in.  Maybe you are a great cook or you’re good at archery or you can juggle.  Whatever it is both of you will agree to set aside time and teach each other.  Make sure to have patience and make it fun. Why? One of the fuels for connection is seeing our partner through new and different eyes.  Allowing your partner to be an authority on something and becoming the student can bring about a… Read more »

If you want to control your anxiety, you first have to understand what it is and what it does to you. Symptoms of anxiety can include feeling tense, having a rapid heart rate, increased breathing, sweating, racing thoughts, trembling, digestive issues, and muscle twitching.  While the physiological symptoms are the most noticeable, they aren’t causing the cause of anxiety, but rather the effect that anxiety causes on your body. Understanding the Basis Anxiety is caused by a rush of adrenaline. A very basic and easy to understand example occurred thousands of years ago, when humanity was no more than a hunter-gatherer society. At that point in human history, we were not the top of the food chain, and therefore were in real danger when certain animals came near. Let’s say as a prehistoric human you saw a pack of saber-toothed tigers. You would realize the clear and present danger that you are in, and your body would naturally responds to this danger by producing adrenaline. Without that adrenaline, you would not be able to go into fight or flight mode, and would not be able to save yourself from the tigers. That adrenaline would cause a primitive form of anxiety…. Read more »

Depression can be a debilitating disease, and when it begins to affect a marriage or relationship it can sometime cause irreparable damage.  It’s estimated that 16 million adults in our country have experienced at least one major depressive episode.  If you feel your partner or spouse may be experiencing depression it’s important that you take action. Where Do I Start? The first step is for you to learn about depression. Chances are that your partner or spouse may not even know that he/she is depressed. Depression can show itself slowly, with more than just feelings of sadness. Symptoms of depression can include; feelings of guilt, loss of pleasure, lack of interest, irritability, changes in sleeping or eating habits, feelings of sadness, self-blame, anger, feelings of being punished, frustration, difficulty concentrating, lack of self-care, isolation, and even thoughts of suicide. If your partner or spouse is experiencing even just a few of these symptoms, it’s time for a supportive and heartfelt conversation. Lovingly let your partner know about the behavior changes you have noticed and that you are aware that it’s not his/her fault.  Acknowledge the pain that your partner or spouse may be feeling and that nobody chooses to be… Read more »

Statistically, couples seek out therapy on average 7 later than they should have.  While that may sound daunting, it is never too late to save your relationship – if that is what the both of you want.  As with individual therapy, finding the right couples therapist is key.  Here are some guidelines to help you do just that: -You are not looking for somebody to have coffee with so whether or not your therapist is nice has nothing to do with it. By the end of your first session, you should feel like your therapist has a grasp on the problems, has a method to help you solve your problems and that both of you feel comfortable working with him or her. -Couples therapy is very different from individual therapy and specialized training is required. While most therapists will tell you that they work with couples, ask your therapist what specific training he or she has received.  In addition, you don’t want a therapist who practices one specific type of couple’s therapy, you want one with an eclectic therapeutic background.  All couples are different and do not all require that same therapeutic approach. -Couples go into therapy for different reasons…. Read more »

Just like adults, children can experience occasional problems and difficulties as they navigate their way through life.  Among the tasks of childhood is to grow and mature, to establish a personal identity, to learn how to relate to others and to learn how to react to things they may encounter out in the world – it’s a pretty tall order.  It is normal for children who are dealing with all of this to experience emotional highs and lows as well as feelings of anger and sadness. However there are occasions where life’s pressures become too much for a child to handle and a parent may need to seek out professional help for child psychotherapy.  Because children have a difficult time understanding and expressing their emotions, changes in behavior are usually the best indication that something may be wrong.  These changes may include: Increased worry or sadness:  If sadness or worry is interfering with your child’s ability to function at school or socially, this may be a sign of something  more serious. Isolation: If your child is someone that is usually social and he or she begins to isolate, explore with him if it is situational with a certain group of… Read more »