Author: S. Liz Sanders, LMFT, CCTP

March 26th, 2019

While there are many articles on what psychotherapy is (or isn’t) I figured I’d start with the basics. There are so many options when looking for a therapist and it’s important to be educated to know what you’re looking at when reading their credentials and what it all means. Here’s a breakdown of the most common ones:

LMSW/ LCSW: Licensed masters in social work/ Licensed clinical social workers. Their bas …
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Author: Dvora Entin, LCSW in collaboration with Zisa Levin, RMSWI

March 6th, 2018

Just when you think you finally know the way to talk about sexual abuse prevention, the rules change. Take a look at prevention curriculums, where we teach about "Ok Touch" and "Not OK Touch" and the caveat we put in that "even though you don't like how it feels, it's ok for a doctor to touch your private parts because he or she is there to keep you healthy."  Oh, and that part about, "and your mother or father is in the room so that m …
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Author: Regine Galanti, Ph.D.

January 8th, 2018

A parent was recently in my office to discuss her young daughter’s defiant behavior. She described noticing that, in her relationship with her children, she’s constantly busy with them, but rarely gives them her full attention, especially if they’re not misbehaving. As a parent, I can relate. My children take up almost all of my time, cooking their dinners, supervising homework, shepherding them between activities and friends, r …
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December 4th, 2017

A recent report from ABC News Australia validates what those of us in the field already know, “Poorly trained relationship counsellors (are) doing more harm than good.” According to the Australian College of Relationship Counsellors, couples experiencing marital difficulties are turning to therapists who are not well prepared but are less expensive. This is due to the fact that, in Australia, less prepared therapists are often covered …
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Author: Michael J. Salamon, PhD

September 27th, 2017

There are a slew of variables that have been assessed to determine what predicts marital satisfaction: Attitudes, personality, temperament, interests, life goals, and intimacy are but a few of the ones shown to contribute to marital happiness. One variable, however, is not often included, but has been proven to impact marital contentment: humor. Apparently, the use of humor, which things a couple finds funny, how jokes are told to one another and …
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Author: Alan Winder, PhD

September 19th, 2017

Wouldn’t it would be great if divorce didn’t exist, people were always happy in their marriage, and they stayed together for the rest of their lives? There was a time when people tended–for better or worse–to stay married, and divorce was not commonplace. Unfortunately today, as we are all aware, divorce rates have been quite high, and only continue to rise. When a couple separates and/or decides to divorce, there are cert …
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Author: Dvora Entin, LCSW

September 12th, 2017

In a world where news headlines change dramatically at lightning speed almost hourly, perhaps the Netflix series, 13 Reasons Why, seems like an already irrelevant topic of conversation or discussion. As a therapist who had to watch most of the episodes for a work-related responsibility, the content of the show persists in my subconscious and continues to draw my attention even several months later. Seeing this series as a parent of teenagers, as …
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Author: Pamela P. Siller, MD

September 5th, 2017

We have all experienced trepidation before a life-changing event, or a small anxiety-provoking experience. The feelings of butterflies in your stomach, your heart pounding in your chest, or the need to run to the bathroom several times in an hour, is a familiar sensation to most everybody. Regardless of whether you are worried about an upcoming flight, an important business meeting or a life-altering phone call, the physical sensation is the same …
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July 11th, 2017

The power of abuse
frightening and strong
leads to behaviors
irrational and wrong The power of abuse
the questions that arise
the multitude of thoughts
disbelief and lies The power of abuse
wreaks havoc on the soul
something is lacking
I feel empty, not whole The power of abuse
the drama that erupts
dealing with the abuser
the nightmare of the confronts The power of abuse
…
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Author: Dr. Raymond Nourmand

July 4th, 2017

The National Council of Problem Gambling recently reported that approximately 6 million adults and half a million teenagers in America engage in problematic gambling, or have what one may call gambling addiction. Gambling addiction refers to a pattern of making risky monetary bets in a way that impairs a person’s social, psychological, emotional, physical, or financial functioning. The rate of occurrence in youth is about two to three times …
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June 13th, 2017

A lovely woman I had been treating told me one day that she loved to travel to different countries, but confided that she was a real white-knuckle traveler. She said that in flight she’d practically make marks in her husband’s skin from grabbing so tightly, but once at her destination she was fine and able to enjoy herself. On a subsequent office visit she had just returned from Europe and when I asked how her trip was, she replied &l …
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June 6th, 2017

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep, or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep. Stress as well as anxiety symptoms (such as tension, excessive worrying, and feeling overwhelmed) can also lead to insomnia.  Anxiety and insomnia can feed off each other, leading to a cycle of sleep deprivation. This may surprise you, but within the past year the American Coll …
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January 10th, 2017

The Difference Between Talking and Communicating by Reuben E. Gross, PhD, ABP, ABPP, LMFT Please note: Neither gender wins an Emmy for communication. If I alternate between “he” and “she” in order to be “fair” to both genders, it can be confusing to the reader. Therefore, for the sake of simplicity, I will begin with “he” when discussing the “TV speaker,” and then switch genders, using t …
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December 13th, 2016

There is a language of feelings, we need to recognize that there is no such thing as a bad feeling. Feelings are our minds way of talking to us and telling us what we need. 
Based on this concept what does anxiety mean?   The need you mind need filled is "to have success in managing your life". When we feel that our life is out of our control we feel anxiety.
You need to fill the need to get the mess …
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November 28th, 2016

Perspective of a situation determines a person’s future, therefore it is crucial to have a positive perception of life no matter how bleak the circumstances may seem.  Children or adults who are trapped in a seemingly hopeless position are unable to see their condition as temporary; metaphors reframe their circumstances by providing them with the choice of being a victim or a hero.  “The School of Tough Knocks,” is an …
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Author: Dr. Raymond Nourmand

November 15th, 2016

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently estimated that about 21.6 million Americans are diagnosed with an alcohol or drug use disorder.  This means that at minimum, about this many people in the country regularly use alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, pain pills, or other drugs despite the fact that doing so brings them harm.  This harm may include deteriorating health, strained relati …
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November 8th, 2016

“Love” is a term that gets used very casually in our day-to-day lives.  It’s utilized to convey a strong liking towards something and an explicit desire to associate with it. For instance, we say, “I love what you said,” “I love your idea,” and “I love the blue one!”  In all these examples, we are expressing our passion for a subject, and announcing that we derive pleasure from it. …
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Author: Liz Wallenstein, LMHC

April 18th, 2016

If you find yourself: Repeatedly drawn to people who do not want to be in a relationship with you Repeatedly in relationships that are dramatic and end not the way you’d want
them to Repeatedly not developing feelings for people who treat you well – you’re relationship choices are likely coming from unresolved personal issues.
I’ve seen too many people in pain because a person they are convinced is right fo …
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Author: E. Feuerman-Yaeger, LMSW

April 4th, 2016

“Mommy, can I hate you?" This is what my 3 year old son asked me one morning. Panicky thoughts ran through my head. I have been working on educating my son about feelings, but Oy Vey, did I create a monster? Then, I calmed myself, realizing that feelings are just feelings, and asked, “Why do you want to hate me?" He answered, "I don't like it when you yell at me." I acknowledged that when I yell at him, it makes him upset. I explained …
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Author: C. Tauber, LCSW

March 28th, 2016

Many dynamics come into play when siblings fight.  Sibling rivalry can be attributed, but not limited to, jealousy, low self-esteem, vying for parental attention, or just boredom.   One child tends to be more aggressive than another and gets disciplined more frequently.  The natural response is to address the aggressor first, thereby providing negative attention.  The victim may fight back, cry out or tattle, and will ga …
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March 14th, 2016

When starting a practice what is the appropriate amount to charge? Starting a Private Practice My suggestions:

1.Make some calls/consult some colleagues - what is the fee being charged in your area?

2. Decide what it is you'd feel comfortable with - not "giving it away", feeling your expertise and experience are being respected.

3. Be flexible! Many of the practitioner's I know (including myself) say: "my …
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Author: Dr. Raymond Nourmand

February 22nd, 2016

We live in a time that’s seen a sharp increase in all things “happiness.” Books, articles, seminars, workshops, and podcasts on happiness seem to be rising at surprising rates. I recently did a psychology literature search for books, articles, and essays that were published with the word “happiness” in the title. The results, remarkable. Between 1950 and 1960, there were about 30 publications released. Between 1980 a …
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Author: Michael S. Lax, PsyD.

February 8th, 2016

Humanity shares one overriding goal: the quest to find satisfaction in Life. And Life, for the working adult, can be chunked into three parts, one part family and leisure, one part sleep (hopefully), and one part work. Satisfaction in the slice of Life called Work is in large part determined by to choosing the best suited career.  What then, keeps you from choosing a career that lends itself to satisfaction? 1. Deciding on a career path beca …
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July 23rd, 2015

Dr. Raymond Nourmand       Often we're told being selfish is bad. It’s disrespectful, shameful, and wrong. But we are all selfish. Every one of us. We act to serve ourselves. We eat what tastes good to us, befriend those who understand us, and do what brings happiness to us.     However, true selfishness takes courage. Being honest about who you are, what you want, and what you are willing to do …
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April 13th, 2015

Raffi Bilek, LCSW-C Parenting was never a sport for the faint of heart. It takes tremendous mental and physical energy, there are few if any breaks, and it can even get a little bloody. It seems that in recent times, however, the ante has been upped even more: with the ever-expanding reach of the internet and its access points, the kinds of trouble our kids can get into has mushroomed, as we have unfortunately seen in news story after news story …
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Author: Mrs. Lisa Rabinowitz, LCPC

January 20th, 2015

For many years, we've been hearing about the benefits of exercise for reducing stress, losing weight, alleviating back pain, and decreasing the likelihood of some diseases. But the benefits of exercise go well beyond the waistline. Researchers have shown the positive impact of exercise on your physiological and psychological health. As a Fitness Professional and Licensed Counselor, I have seen the impact that exercise has on my clients' wellbeing …
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Author: Mordy Neuman

January 14th, 2015

We all have stress in our lives. But what is stress? What is the psychological process in our mind that brings us to be stressed out? Let’s begin by exploring some theories—the Appraisal Theory and the CBT model—to help us gain a better understanding of how stress happens and how to reduce it. The Appraisal Theory (by Lazarus & Folkman) proposes that our mind makes two quick calculations—or appraisals—of every …
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October 2nd, 2012

Modern-day society is filled with idealized models that define physical perfection. For most of us, these are unattainable and unrealistic. Idealized models for the perfect marriage abound, but with similar frustrating, unattainable and unrealistic results for most couples.

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