As the song says, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year…” In some ways, that can be true. Houses and stores look festive with holiday decorations. Seasonal music is piped everywhere. People throw parties and get-togethers for friends and family. There is an abundance of well-wishes and gifts. It can all contribute to a […]
Recently I was flying to a conference several states away. As the flight attendant was going through the typical pre-flight announcements, I admit I wasn’t closely listening. I mean, we’ve heard the same “buckle your seatbelts, your seat cushion can be used as a flotation device, look for the nearest exit” speech for years every […]
Since this is a question I’m asked on a regular basis by clients, potential clients, and other helping professionals– I thought it might be useful to make a list of creative ways to deal with chronic and/or everyday stress. We could all use some new ideas for dealing with it! Here is my video on […]
I’ve written and made videos about this topic, but it bears repeating again. There is a stigma surrounding mental health. It’s perfectly acceptable to make an appointment to see your doctor and receive treatment for physical ailments. We don’t think twice about mentioning that to our family and friends in casual conversation. “Oh, I saw […]
Here’s a story that was shared with me recently, and I wanted to share it with all of you since it pertains to therapy! Farmer Joe had a wide rock buried in the middle of one of his fields. He tried to plow and plant around it, but over the years it broke more than […]
There are things in life that need to be done, but simply aren’t pleasant. So we tend to procrastinate and put them off for as long as possible until we absolutely. have. to. do. them. Anyone else? My iTunes music account falls squarely into that category. See, as a musician and music therapist, I naturally […]
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety affects 40 million adults in the U.S over the age of 18 (that’s almost 20% of the population!) and is the most common mental health problem. Additionally, women are twice as likely as men to suffer from anxiety related issues. Occasional anxiety is a normal part […]
The Centers for Disease Control reports that approximately 9% of adults in the US experience the symptoms of depression each year, and that about 3% of adults suffer from major depression (the leading cause of disability for ages 15-44). Additionally, women are 70% more likely to experience depression during their lives than men. So what […]
One of the most important components of our mental health is our support system. So let’s talk first about what it is. You can view my video on this topic here. Your support system is made up of those people who interact closely with you on a regular basis. They could be family, friends, co-workers, […]
Throughout life, we all have to deal with losses. Some are small (like losing a big football game or getting passed over for a work project), and some are big (like the death of a loved one). Every time we experience a loss, we experience grief. The bigger the loss, the longer the grieving period. […]
