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Kalamazoo psychologist, NY National Guardsman to reunite 20 years after 9/11
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — As we approach the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Americans are observing it by remembering where they were and who they were with. A Kalamazoo man with New York roots decided to make sure his brethren in the Big Apple were not alone. Though time...
Cognitive Distortions: How They Influence the Way We Act and Feel
Cognitive Distortions were originated by Aaron Beck in the 1960’s. Cognitive distortions are irrational beliefs that influence feelings and behaviors. Below are common cognitive distortions: Catastrophizing: Thinking only the worst outcome of situations. Jumping to...
Here’s why planning a trip can help your mental health
With the pandemic far from over, now may not be the right time for leisure travel. But that doesn’t mean trip planning is canceled too. There’s some good news for globe-trotters: According to researchers, looking ahead to your next adventure could benefit your mental...
Nike closes offices for a week to give employees a mental health break
By Devon Haskins, KGW News Global apparel and shoe company Nike is putting some of its employees’ mental health ahead of productivity. It has closed its corporate offices for the week so employees can “enjoy additional time off to rest and recover,” according to a...
Online Therapy Got Popular During Covid. Should You Still See Your Therapist in Person?
Should you go back to seeing your therapist in person? The rise of the Delta variant is complicating what was already a difficult decision for many. Nearly all outpatient mental health treatment moved online when the pandemic struck last year. As vaccines rolled out...
Are You Aware of Your Inner Critic
Are you aware of the power of negative thoughts and the havoc they wreak? One enlightenment for me is how easy it is to dwell on the negative. "The research found that the average person has between 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day, and of the thousands of thoughts,...
Simone Biles is a role model for prioritizing her own mental health over an Olympic medal
Athletes rely on their families for support in stressful situations. But the Olympic stands are empty for COVID, removing a source of reassurance. Suzette Hackney, USA TODAY U.S. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, adorned with bedazzled goats on her leotards, strut into...
Mental Health Boost After Bucks Win, Fans say Wisconsin United
MILWAUKEE —Tens of thousands of fans followed along for the Bucks NBA Championship run. Whether it was at watch parties, bars, living rooms or at the victory parade Thursday. "This is important for not just the city of Milwaukee, but the city of Racine, Kenosha, the...
See Me! When You Are Invisible to Yourself
There is a television commercial that features actual patients who have psoriasis. The patients share the emotional pain they feel at being minimized by their disease. They do not feel as if they are actually being seen by others. They believe that all others see is...
Good Mental Health and COVID-19 – Part II
Greetings, I hope this information finds you to be in the best of health as we all find ourselves continually challenged by the COVID-19 virus. Now one year into the pandemic, we had to make some major lifestyle adjustments to stay safe such as testing, wearing a...
Four Ways to Know You’re Ready to Begin Therapy
By Helen Paulsen, LMSW Knowing your readiness for therapy is important for maximizing your experience and outcomes from therapy. In this blog article, we explore a few important subjective factors for helping inform your decision-making process. You’ve got your own...
What Has the Pandemic Done to Our Boundaries?
Written by: Katie Heaney Read the original article here. The other day, a friend called me on the phone to complain about another friend — a cherished hobby for us both. In 2019, or any year before it, the inciting event would have been an inoffensive request: My...
When Doing Leads to Stress – Just Be!
Hello! My name is Steven. How would you like to begin your session today? Counseling with me is not necessarily a time when you come to go over an agenda or to learn a set format of steps to fix a problem. Yes, therapy can be about that and goal setting (and we will...
COVID-19 and mental health are a dual crisis 1 year into the pandemic in Michigan
Written by: Andrew Feather Read the original article on WWMT KALAMAZOO, Mich. — More than 600,000 people in Michigan have been infected and almost 16,000 people have died since Michigan reported its first two cases of COVID-19 March 10, 2020. While the visible impact...
I’m A Psychiatrist Who Treats Health Workers
Written by: Jessi Gold Read the original article here. A couple of Saturdays ago, I slept in until 11 a.m. I haven’t done that since college. As I peeled myself out of bed, I convinced myself it was just one of those days. I must’ve needed the sleep, and a lot of it....
How to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder
If you find yourself feeling a little sad, worried, and depressed every year at this time, you may have a cyclical disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder. Of course, this year’s cumulative effects of the pandemic and the accompanying isolation, illness and...
One in eight COVID-19 patients diagnosed with mental illness within months: study
Written by: Yaron Steinbuch Read the original article on NY Post One in eight people who have recovered from COVID-19 are diagnosed with their first psychiatric or neurological illness within six months of testing positive for the bug, according to a new study....
We Need To Talk About Another Pandemic Mental Health Crisis: Therapist Burnout
Written by: Jessica Gold Originally posted on Forbes.com; read the original article here. There is a clear mental health crisis and growing need for care in the United States. A recent Gallup poll showed American’s assessment of their own mental health is “worse than...
Are You Grieving?
The Pandemic has sparked an enormous about of grief. We are living in a time of uncertainty. We have plunged into despair; many have suffered unexpected losses during this time. People are not only grieving but also dealing with guilt, regret, and shame. Many are...
Four things you can do to support your teen’s mental health
Show your teenager love and care, while looking after yourself. Read the original article here. Whether you and your teen are getting along well or having challenges, it is important to show that you love and support them, that you can help them navigate tough times...
Social Media Could End Marriage As We Know It
Chioma is having troubles with her mother-in-law. I know because she made it headline news on her social media page. She does not share her concerns with the other party in the nuptial contract or with a trained counsellor, but with aliens on social media who are...
Growth Mindset in a Period of Stress
Welcome to the final weeks of 2020. Let’s ponder for a moment about our expectations for the year when it started, back in January. Perhaps we had some ideas, some to-do list items, or even some “resolutions”. Now we are approaching a new year on our calendar, when...
Breaking Tradition During the Holiday Season
For many families, breaking tradition during the holiday season is inevitable – and a matter of necessity over time. Take the example of Debbie Bourgois of St. Clair County in Michigan. Her husband and two children spent holidays with her husband’s family for many...
Good Mental Health and COVID-19
Greetings and I hope this information finds you to be in the best of health as we all find ourselves continually challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are eight months in and all have had to make major lifestyle adjustments to stay safe such as testing, wearing a...
Parenting Guidelines: Supporting A Child After Teen Dating Violence
Dating violence can begin at an age that is early. You need to be mindful of the signs of teen dating violence, should they present themselves if you have a teen who has started to date. While certainly not in a position to avoid physical violence completely, you can...
Using CBT as an Effective Form of Autism Treatment for Children
Some of the biggest challenges for children with Autism include symptoms such as anger, anxiety, and meltdowns that can seem to come about without warning. These emotional symptoms while very real can be difficult to treat using standard treatment plans that focus...
5 Reasons to Get Marriage Counseling
Do we need marriage counseling? This is a question you may ask after a big fight or sudden revelation in your relationship. Most people assume that marriage counseling is only for people on the brink of divorce. That is not the case though. You can benefit from...
Sleep Deprivation: How Much Sleep Do I Need?
Sleep deprivation impacts your energy levels, memory retention, focus, attentiveness, and more. If you can achieve a consistent sleep routine, you will feel better in all areas of your life. What qualifies as sleep deprivation? How much sleep do you actually need?...
What Causes Depression?
Depression is a complex condition that affects many walks of life. No matter what race, gender, social class, or religion you may be, you could be one of the 6.8 million American adults who suffer from depression. What causes depression, and what are the best...
Knowing When to Seek Marriage Counseling
Do we need marriage counseling? Will couples counseling help our marriage? These are questions you may ask after an argument or major life transition. Nearly every couple can benefit from marriage counseling in some way. You simply have to determine if the benefits...