By Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., PsychCentral
Like anything worthwhile, psychotherapy takes time and effort. And often just getting through the door can be tough.
How do you find a therapist? Where’s the best place to look? Isn’t it pricey? Do you even need to go?
You probably have a slew of questions with a side of skepticism and self-doubt. In fact, many hurdles can prevent people from seeking professional treatment.
By Jude Bijou, MA, MFT, pyschcentral.com
This time of year, we’re used to reading about holiday blues and holiday stress. Contrary to popular belief, however, anxiety, depression, and suicide rates do not rise during the holidays. The CDC, Mayo Clinic, and other research institutions have found no link between holidays and increased depression and suicide. (Read more here.)
Nevertheless, holidays do knock some of us off balance. Between family gatherings, pressure to spend money, kids coming back from college, work disruption, and other holiday-related events, we may forget that holidays are supposed to be about comfort and joy.
Here are eight ways to embrace the true meaning of the season and focus on increasing joy, love, and peace. Read more
by Marsha Wilkinson, LCSW
Stress and anxiety cause physiological changes to occur in our bodies which affect our ability to relax, sleep well, and enjoy our lives. One of the most powerful ways to reduce these is through sensory outlets. Do any activities together that create laughter and/or body movement. Here are a few ideas; Finger paint, with your kitchen counter as the canvas (You can use instant pudding instead of paint for an easy clean up). Create pictures with chalk outside on your driveway or walk way. Build a snowman or snow family or fort together. Go walking, hiking, biking, swimming, etc. If a child is inside see how many jumping Jack’s they can do (this will release a lot of anxiety stuck inside a child that they don’t know how to verbalize) You can also see how far they can run up and down the block. Make play dough or bread dough and just play with it. Make music together (create instruments out of household items).Watch funny movies that make you laugh. Go to the local animal shelter and walk the dogs or pet the cats. Do any art or creative expression (with no directions being used) this allows the body and mind to release whatever is problematic.
WASHINGTON — It is now just as likely for middle school students to die from suicide as from traffic accidents.
That grim fact was published on Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They found that in 2014, the most recent year for which data is available, the suicide rate for children ages 10 to 14 had caught up to their death rate for traffic accidents.
The number is an extreme data point in an accumulating body of evidence that young adolescents are suffering from a range of health problems associated with the country’s rapidly changing culture. The pervasiveness of social networking means that entire schools can witness someone’s shame, instead of a gaggle of girls on a school bus. And with continual access to such networks, those pressures do not end when a child comes home in the afternoon. Read more
By: Lea Mangus, PCSW
Have you ever heard the term “Experiential Therapy” and wondered what exactly it means? I would like to offer a brief overview of experiential therapy and what it entails. As the name indicates, experiential therapy involves activities and actions rather than the more traditional “talk therapy.” It is a therapeutic approach that encourages clients to identify and address hidden or subconscious issues through activities such as play, art, outdoor activities, and a range of other active experiences. Many people find it hard to think about, remember, or talk about their hidden hurts. After years of burying those thoughts, it can be difficult to drag those feelings to the surface and expose them. Some people find that experiential therapy helps make this process easier. Read more
Nate received his Bachelor's Degree from Utah Valley State College in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science with a Psychology Emphasis. He went on to receive his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Utah in 2004. Nate has over 15 years of experience working in the social services field. He is an LCSW and has worked with both children and families. His passion for helping the community at large grew as he recognized a need to help create more opportunities for individuals and families to reconnect and heal. His mission is to help people navigate their complex worlds in order to live a healthier, happier life. In his spare time, Nate enjoys spending time with his family which includes his wife and five children, coaching basketball, experiencing the outdoors, and is always thinking of new projects.
Read more
