While everyone is affected by COVID-19 differently, there are at least two ways in which this pandemic has impacted us all. It is important to understand how COVID has influenced us to better understand effective strategies and ways to cope with this new life stressor.

My running partner and I have covered a lot of miles together. I have come to realize she is often the motivator and I’m the detractor. She is like sunshine and I’m like the rain. She soars and I drag my Asics. As we near the top of a steep hill I think “this is where I die” and she shouts “we got this!”

The most frequently expressed concern about Play Therapy is the perception that there is no apparent treatment goal and that activities are purely about play. This could not be further from the truth!

I am writing to spark a critical conversation on the topic of childhood sexual trauma. I care very deeply about the lives I am fortunate enough to be a part of through my therapy profession. After many interactions with clients, colleagues, and individuals in my personal life, it became clear that the conversation needs amplifying.

“Anxiety” can refer to many experiences. Nervousness before taking an exam or going to a job interview. Worrying about whether you made a good impression on your date. A general feeling of dread and ‘what-ifs’ not attached to any specific event. A sudden surge of fear, with a trigger or without, that can’t be reasoned out of. With so much falling under the heading of ‘anxiety,’ it’s no wonder that generalized statements such as ‘everyone gets anxious, don’t worry!’ or ‘anxiety should always be medicated!’ can produce misunderstandings, frustration, and the sense that you’re not being listened to.

Katrina believes each client has the potential for transformation and growth. Her approach to counseling is holistic, collaborative and client centered taking into consideration that the mind, body and spirit influence an individual’s view of the world. Her areas of focus are working with adults and adolescents experiencing anxiety and depression and individuals who need guidance with life transitions (i.e., divorce, midlife changes, parenthood). Clients can expect a non-judgmental and warm environment that seeks to promote empowerment and meaningful change.

We can’t judge, criticize or be angry at others as we are not all experiencing the same crisis. This is not the time to politicize this issue, pass judgement, condemn or ridicule anyone. This is the time to be caring, helpful, mindful, thoughtful, and most importantly understanding. We may all be navigating through the same rough waters, our destination may be the same, but we are all traveling a different journey.

During this unique global moment, it is evermore clear we cannot control external forces – what happens out there. Never has it been more evident that what we do for ourselves, we do for one another. While we collaborate, as a human race - by home sheltering and making healthy choices - the onus is on every person to engage in self-care. It is important to remember that wellness is a holistic state of being which calls upon mind-body synergy. Simple daily choices genuinely impact what is going on inside each of us. Immune systems can be bolstered with a three-prong approach focusing on gut health, mood stability and overall mindfulness.

It’s said that absence makes the heart grow fonder. When hearing that said, one immediately thinks of a sweetheart, a spouse, family member, loved one or lifelong friend. But during this extended period of time when we have to be isolated from one another, we’re also hearing about similar feelings from sports fans who are saying that they can’t wait for things like baseball, hockey and football to start up once again. Many say that they are having withdrawal pains without March Madness, The Kentucky Derby or The Masters Golf Tournament.

To begin, I’d like to state that “Parent Guilt” is real and it often stems from institutional and societal pressures conveyed to us all. This phenomenon can manifest into torturous, cruel thoughts and beliefs, often accompanied by high-stress levels. Parent guilt is defined as the strong emotions one experiences when feeling inadequate in the lives of our children.

Taking Care of Your Child’s Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty. Inspired by psychologist Dr. Doreen Marshall’s “Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty,” here are five steps that we can take to help our children navigate the stress of a global pandemic.

Anxiety is the number one mental health issue affecting children and adolescents today. Children suffering from anxiety have persistent fears or worries that significantly impact their personal, academic, and social lives, and if left untreated, can hinder their adult lives as well. While some fears and worries in children are natural, others can develop into diagnosable disorders, including but not limited to, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, separation anxiety disorder, illness anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Lisa believes that healing begins with the self. Emotions can be scary and she will help guide you through exploring them in a safe environment. Lisa will work with you to sort through your relationship challenges, parenting challenges, and any personal challenges that you may be experiencing. Lisa specializes in working with grief and loss, couples who are experiencing infertility, challenges in parenthood , and individuals who struggle with depression and/or anxiety. Additionally, Lisa also practices EMDR to help heal trauma, anxiety, and phobias. Lisa looks forward to working with you to achieve the goals you have for yourself and your life.

Professionals often struggle to balance the demands of work and home life, juggling obligations to meet the needs of others and leading to stress and burnout.  The impact of stress on physical and psychological well-being can be detrimental, including decreased work performance and increased health risks (headaches, fatigue, etc.).

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) refers to a treatment approach with strong empirical support for its efficacy for various disorders and populations.

The holidays are magical, but they can also be chaotic, and not to mention expensive. With so much to do and so many people to interact with, it can be difficult to feel joyous while managing it all. Being proactive about our mental, and overall health can ease the pressure.  Below are a few tips that may help us avoid the winter blues and hectic plans. 

One challenge most fathers do not expect to suffer from is postpartum depression. Postpartum depression or PPD has long been associated with mothers who have recently given birth and are experiencing a significant drop in hormones; however PPD can actually be experienced by mothers, fathers, and even adoptive parents.

Dr. Brandon Eddy, an assistant professor in the Couple and Family Therapy Program within the School of Medicine at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), works with individuals, couples, and families, helping with a variety of presenting issues. Dr. Eddy specializes in the transition to parenthood (postpartum depression, miscarriage, infertility) and Autism Spectrum Disorder.  

The healing power of horses lies in their non-judgmental, kind, and gentle manner. Horses have a natural ability to speak to humans, without saying anything at all. Horses act as biofeedback machines, or “emotional mirrors” for their human counterparts.

EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) otherwise known as “Tapping” is a technique designed to help clients with PTSD, fears, phobias, recent trauma, and other anxiety-based conditions.