Initially, I was a skeptic. I am not really about joining something unless I actually see some value in it. So when my supervisor came to me and “suggested” Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) training, her push for it really made me uncomfortable. I went in and needless to say, questioned everything- and truth … Continue reading Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
We have often heard that the meaning gets lost in translation. The intensity of an experience can definitely get diluted in the balancing act of living a bi-cultural life. In honor of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, I would like to offer some culture-specific examples that may help with understanding the importance/impact of these experiences. … Continue reading Understanding the unhealthy norms
During my years working with ‘victims’ of domestic violence, I noticed a common theme- most did not recognize that emotional abuse was a form of abuse. The best way I could describe emotional abuse was by comparing it to an accident. It’s easy to treat the physical cuts or bruises because you can see it … Continue reading Recognizing Emotional Abuse
We all make numerous decisions every single day- from what to wear to what to eat for lunch. Early on, we become experts at decision-making such that, generally, small decisions are no longer mentally taxing. However, making a large life decision can be anxiety-inducing and cause tension in our relationships. Humans are incredibly complicated creatures. … Continue reading When decisions conflict
How do you tie your shoelace? Who taught you? Do you know who taught them? Chances are that it was a parent or a family member who taught you just like they were taught by the generation before them. When we talk about family “inheritance,” we mostly assume money, traditions, or even genes but it … Continue reading Generational Trauma
Let’s start today with a pop quiz. What is Mental Health? a) Understanding what mental issues we struggle with. b) Understanding our overall well-being. c) A diagnosis so we can get help from insurance. d) Everyone is just crazy! If you answered B, you are correct! Mental health is so much more than just understanding … Continue reading What is Mental Health?
Humans are social creatures. I am not talking about introverts vs extroverts; instead, I’m talking about our need for support from each other. We have a need to connect to others- to understand where we belong. Because we are multifaceted, our treatment needs to be a holistic approach. In order to fully understand the developmental … Continue reading Does my therapist really need to know that?
How was your week of practicing boundaries? Was it fairly easy or did you find yourself struggling with creating the needed distance? What was the hardest part for you? One of the most difficult things I noticed was to actually enforce those boundaries. I may be uncomfortable with certain action(s) but without reinforcement, things will … Continue reading Boundaries: Understanding the consequences and enforcing them
As I start writing this blog about boundaries, I can’t help but recall my high school geography class. A huge part of the class was actually coloring; I remember trying different coloring methods to figure out what felt natural and comfortable. Initially, I loved outlining with markers but after some time, I became more comfortable … Continue reading Boundaries: What are they and how do I set them?
I believe that an important part of counseling is discussing goals or what you would like to accomplish in counseling. After all, you are not coming to counseling because life is perfect; you are seeking counseling to overcome whatever it is holding you back. One of the most common goals my clients asked to work … Continue reading Improving Self-Esteem
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