Free Mindfulness, Relaxation and Guided Imagery
Interventions and exercises used in therapy and counseling of anxiety, depression, trauma as well as sports mental health areas are mindfulness, relaxation and guided imagery. These interventions help a person to calm the restless mind, offer moments of relief from whatever is going on and allow a targeted focus of attention. The following 2 links provide websites which offer various free auditory and visual tools to help you sleep better, decrease your anxiety levels, help you ground yourself or just give you a break from a stressful day. Try it out and feel free to leave some feedback to let me know if this was helpful.
The wonder drugs to treat mental and physical illness!
There are two magical remedies for mental as well as physical health problems. The problem with these remedies is they are not in pill form so patients and clients are not as motivated to try them because they include work and behavioral changes. So, whoever is able to turn these two antidotes into pills will be a very wealthy person since every doctor is going to prescribe them. The remedies I am talking about are EXERCISE and HUMOR. To start the weekend off with some laughter I decided to have Will Ferrell take the lead in this video clip.
The evidence on EMDR in PTSD treatment
Have you heard about EMDR as treatment option for people suffering from PTSD and other trauma related anxiety disorders? EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It has shown to produce quick improvements for clients suffering from symptoms like flashbacks, hyperarousal, triggers that cause intense feelings of fear related to a traumatic event, etc. This article discusses some questions of controversy regrading EMDR answered by its founder Francine Shapiro herself. For more information feel free to visit my website.
PTSD and its generational effects.
Did you know that trauma can be transmitted over generations? This article in psychology today explains some of the reasons. EMDR therapy and other mental health treatments can help to stop this generational transmission process. Call today for more information.
Humor to fight off mental illness!
A short and funny video clip to start the weekend with laughter!!
Today, I decided to focus on humor. When depressed, anxious or struggling with other unpleasant emotions, one of the self-help skills which can create relief through the body releasing its own happy substances (endorphins) is humor. Therefore, I decided to link this post to an in my opinion quite funny commercial. Enjoy and have a great day. (click the arrow next to the title)
Want to know if you have a mental disorder?
Take this test and find out. Share it and leave feedback.
(Please keep in mind the online test evaluates your subjective answers and shows tendencies. For an accurate diagnosis an in person evaluation is required.)
4 Ways to Support Someone with Depression
4 ways to support one with depression
When dealing with depression, one of the most important aspects to getting through it, is having a supportive partner or friends. While most people do not know what to do, here are some suggestions.
When dealing with depression, one of the most important aspects to getting through it, is having a supportive partner or friends. While most people do not know what to do, here are some suggestions stated in the article.
What is the cure for exceptional suffering?
This article discusses how understanding grief and loss as a universal experience, which is inevitable, and therefore, can lead to acceptance and some type of inner peace. The author incorporates a symbolic story to show how emotional suffering is part of the human existence. Accepting of this existence and possible finding meaning in life may allow a person to move on after a tragic loss.
This article discusses how understanding grief and loss as a universal experience, which is inevitable, can lead to acceptance and some type of inner peace. The author incorporates a symbolic story to show how emotional suffering is part of the human existence. Accepting of this existence and possible finding meaning in life may allow a person to move on after a tragic loss.
What is addiction?
A video explaining Gabor Mate's view on Addiction.
I love Gabor Mate's compassionate description of how he views addictions. While I do believe that there is a genetic component to it, I agree with him that addictions have their origins in hurt. Therefore, an addict who wants to stop will have to learn new skills to maybe endure and cope with the pain.
Don't regret knowing the people that come into your life!
Good people give you happiness, bad ones give you experience,
the worst ones give you lessons and the best ones give you memories! - unknown
The power of thinking
The difference between a glass being half full or half empty seems to be a happy and fulfilled life.
I often ask my students and clients what they think is the difference between "a glass being half full or half empty". The answer is well written in this little article. Viewing a glass and maybe the world as half full shows a positive worldview, which in response can lead to a healthier plus happier way of living. In my therapy sessions I try to challenge a negative view of life plus thinking errors and support my clients in finding more balanced and positive ways to see the world.