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Being a Great Father

September 16, 2019

With the recent celebration of Father’s Day, fathers across America were honored. Father’s Day highlights the positive contributions that fathers make in their children’s lives. The identity of fathers has changed in recent decades and the needs of children for their father. Children face higher social pressures as they go into adolescence. With single parent homes, blended families, changing expectations for parents in the workforce, and increased cost of living, fathers are not expected to only be…

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Is Marriage Overrated? Part Two

September 16, 2019

After writing my last post, I could not help but think of ways to address marital isolation and how individuals can become more aware of symptoms of marital isolation within their own marriage. I wanted to elaborate on the significance of understanding your own and your partner’s marital expectations, values, and beliefs. Feeling alone in your marriage, and feeling as though you and your partner on different trajectories is not easy. Transitions are hard and scary but…

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Is Marriage Overrated?

September 15, 2019

I recently read an article by Mandy Len Catron called, ‘What You Lose When You Gain A Spouse.’ I have decided to reflect some of my own responses to this article as a way to explore the concept of marital loneliness. As someone who has grown up in a hetero-normative family with a Mom and Dad that are still happily married, this concept of marital loneliness was new to me. Of course, society has imprinted in our…

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Insomnia

September 14, 2019

I’m having another one of those nights. Some of you know what I’m talking about… Where will ”6” go for summer camp? Who will care for the twins while I’m at work? How will I grow my business? Will I ever achieve my goals? 6’s room is a mess; I won’t have time to clean it till Friday. As badly as I need sleep – As badly as I WANT to sleep – mom guilt and parenting…

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Playing a Game with No Winners: Blame

September 13, 2019

Steven Topper, LCPC Try a little game in the morning and see if you can go one whole day without blaming anyone, for anything. It may be harder than we’d think. Often in life we find ourselves wronged. It may be random strangers, friends, family, or significant others that have brought pain and wrongdoing. These experiences often lead to anger, frustration, disappointment, among many other uncomfortable emotions. It can be a painful and sobering experience, though our…

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Healthy Coping Skills: What are They?

September 10, 2019

When we see our therapist or even people surrounding us, they often ask, “What are some coping skills that you use?” You might say: reading, journaling, meditation, cooking, self-care, etc, but what exactly is a coping skill and how do we know it is helping us? There are two types of coping skills that therapists talk about: Problem-Focused Coping Skills and Emotion-Focused Coping Skills. So, what do these both mean and how do they differ? Problem-focused coping…

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Romantic Rejection: The Aftermath and How to Heal

September 9, 2019

Rejection is one of the most emotionally painful experiences that we face as human beings. We can experience rejection in various settings – in our workplace, being rejected/not chosen for a job opportunity, in the school system, in friend groups, and in romantic relationships. Regardless of how you experience rejection, it is hurtful and it can leave you feeling alone and insecure. Rejection from a romantic partner can undoubtedly be the worst kind of rejection, and if…

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Simple Guide on How to Work While on Vacation

September 8, 2019

I work with many clients who are struggling with their work life balance, especially when they are looking forward to an upcoming vacation. My job as their clinical therapist is to help the clients understand the possible reasons why they are struggling to create this balance in their life, and also possible coping strategies to implement more work life balance. I recently read an article that touched on this very topic from Fast Company, “If you’re going…

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Facing the Problem of Attention Seeking Behavior

September 6, 2019

Steven Topper, LCPC In recent years, a common and basic human behavior has come under scrutiny: attention seeking behavior. We hear this in many contexts, almost always negative: Oh, she’s just doing that for attention. People that engage in attention seeking behavior are often ostracized and told to knock it off. It could be beneficial for us to dive deeper into what this phrase truly means. We may be demonizing something that is fundamental to us humans,…

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3 Toxic Behaviors That Invade Your Partner’s Privacy and Breach Trust

September 5, 2019

Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor Relationships can become toxic and trust can be broken very quickly. Engaging in toxic behaviors that seem normal or make you “feel better” in the moment are a big contributor to their downfall. Toxic behaviors are usually a result of one partner feeling insecure due to a history of betrayal or low self-esteem. The truth is we have all probably felt insecure at some point in a relationship and as a result…

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