I am happy to announce that we have established a new Youtube Channel and that our first video features my colleague, dually licensed Counselor and Art Therapist Lauren Fallat. Lauren provides an Intro to Art Therapy. You can see it here (below) as well as on our Art Therapy website, our Holistic Health Counseling
N Although Art Therapy has been around for many years, it is finally gaining recognition as an important, valuable, and effective therapy. It is cutting edge and studies show that it actually helps children, teens, and adults with a wide range of issues. To help people understand what it is and how it can help
The New Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached at 988. CALL THEM if you feel you might harm yourself. Put the number in your phone. Check out the blog I wrote on the Holistic Health Counseling Center website: Holistic Health Counseling Center-Dial 988
A lot has been written about having a positive outlook. But what does that really mean? In the midst of the stress of everyday life and turmoil and tragedies of the world, it may sound like a difficult thing to have. There is much to be gained from learning how to be more positive.
In a new blog on my group practice website (see link below), we talk about Stress Relief found in Nature. For those with allergies, Nature likely causes more stress than it relieves during certain times of the year. At this time of the year, a lot of high school and college students come to us
Are you a person who has had some positive experiences in talk therapy but can’t seem to convince your partner or other family member to try therapy? Sometimes it’s because they don’t see the point of talking with a stranger, other times it is because they are not very good at talking about themselves
This Fall, perhaps even more than last Fall, people are experiencing quite a bit of anxiety. Adults, teens, college students, and young children all seem to be feeling anxious. One of the things I have noticed is that while most people are going outdoors, they are not paying attention to what they are seeing and
Are you feeling more stressed or anxious than usual? It seems many people are. Kids are still having a difficult time adjusting to their return to school with regular school hours and homework. Adults are feeling stressed over their jobs, stress at home, and more. Some simple things can help alleviate some of
Here we are nearing the end of 2021, and we are still doing Telehealth? I would estimate that 90% of people who call or email for information either prefer Telehealth or don’t mind it. The other 10% ask me why we are still doing Telehealth. It is a reasonable question! Just about everything has opened
If you suffer from tinnitus, or “ringing in your ears,” then you probably have been told or have read that there is “no cure.” Tinnitus is an annoying, sometimes alarming, ringing in your ears that is often caused by exposure to loud noise and/or hearing loss from an illness. And it affects people of
Although things are opening up, anxiety levels are not going down. I am getting a lot of calls from people who are relieved to hear I am offering counseling and psychotherapy by video or phone. Telehealth continues to be the safest way to engage in therapy during this coronavirus pandemic. And it’s so easy-click on
Naturally, during this challen Many therapists are offering phone or video sessions via HIPAA compliant video platforms that are safe and reliable. With Teletherapy (Telehealth), you are able to literally see your therapist from the comfort and safety of your home or office. No worries about catching anything, traveling in bad weather, being stuck in
Many parents seek my advice on how to handle their child’s use of technology-social media, video games, online gaming, YouTube viewing, texting, etc. One area they often miss are apps. Parents are often unaware that within many game and social media apps, there are texting and group messaging options that allow anyone to contact their
One Summer when I was about 12, I took a book out of the library about Handwriting Analysis. I was very interested in learning how to analyze my own and other people’s handwriting. I was fascinated by the notion that one can learn about an individual’s personality by analyzing their handwriting. Fast forward many years
If you suffer from stomach issues, particularly Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a recent study showed that IBS symptoms were more “drastically improved” by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) than conventional medical treatment of medication and dietary changes. The study subjects were long term (10 to 15 year) sufferers of IBS. This is not surprising, when you
A recent article talked about the importance of having friends and acquaintances and their impact upon one’s mental health and well being. Countless studies have demonstrated the importance of friendship. While periods of solitude are normal and healthy, isolation is harmful and deleterious to one’s physical and psychological health. Not to sound silly, but
Meditation using The Muse has been shown to reduce anxiety. So I have been trying it out myself and have introduced it to patients who have expressed an interest in meditation to try in session. The demo meditation is only three minutes but even in three minutes one can calm the mind. Less time
I have started working with the neurofeedback headband called The Muse. I tried it out on my family over the Thanksgiving holiday and was very happy with its ease of use and the potential benefits from using it. The family liked it a lot. What I like about it, is that it can be used
As the holiday season is about to begin with Thanksgiving, I think it is helpful to remind ourselves what it’s really all about. It’s so easy to get caught up in the fun stuff like the food, shopping, decorating, drinking, and partying. And then there’s the not so fun stuff like family feuding, financial stress,
Living in noisy New Jersey, we are exposed to a lot of sound-some of which is noise. But what about sound that is healing? Music can be very therapeutic and healing. Studies show that listening to Mozart can be as effective as a benzodiazepine before surgery. Tibetan Singing Bowls are an example of a very
After months of research (several years actually), I have finally found a professional mental health app I can offer to my patients that provides them with some important and helpful therapeutic options between sessions. NeuroFlow offers daily mood, stress, and sleep tracking, guided meditations, a nice breathing guide for when you are stressing out,
Should your child or teenager have chores? This topic is often a source of disagreement and conflict between parents. Many parents feel that the child’s job is school. Other parents feel that kids should have chores to help out in the household. I generally recommend that all children and adolescents have some responsibility around the
The New York Times published an outstanding article on what you can do to help someone who is very depressed, and even suicidal. I think everyone will benefit from reading it, because if you don’t know any,ire who is depressed now, you probably will one day. if you don’t care to read it (but I
I am a huge tennis fan and was interested to learn that 2018 French Open Champion Simona Halep talks with a Psychologist (often by phone she has said). You could see her mental toughness when she turned the match around and won the title. Mental toughness or what I call having an “Iron Will” can
My Hillsborough Office is conveniently located just one mile from Rt 206. There is onsite parking and the Office is fully handicapped accessible.
Just as a followup to my previous blog on children and internet use, here’s a great article on social media apps your child might be using: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/06/style/teen-apps-bullying.html?emc=edit_th_20170907&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=65386032 It’s essential reading in my opinion. If you are in conflict with your teen over their phone and social media use, please give me a call to discuss
I came across a useful resource for parents seeking information and guidance on children’s internet use. Here’s the link: https://www.fosi.org/good-digital-parenting/ The internet, social media, apps, and emerging digital technologies are often difficult for parents to keep up with. By the time parents learn of a new app or social media platform, their kids will have already
I am sometimes asked how to tell the difference. While from a professional’s point of view, it is pretty clear cut, it’s not always the case for a concerned family member or friend of someone suspected of having an Eating Disorder. Or even for a person who has an Eating Disorder. Before I was diagnosed,
How do you get through the cold, dark Winter days and nights? For some, this is quite a challenge. I have often wondered how people in Scandinavian countries get through their dark Winters. In fact, according to a recent article in the New York Times, people in Denmark rank third as happiest in the world
Do you have trouble getting a good night’s sleep? Falling asleep and staying asleep? If so, you are among approximately 60 MILLION people in the United States who suffer from insomnia. Disturbances in sleep are associated with Depression, Anxiety, and other medical issues. In some cases, I refer patients for sleep studies to obtain an
I was perusing the National Eating Disorder Association’s (NEDA) website and in their online shop I came across a beautiful silver necklace with a tiny symbolic emblem on it. Knowing the healing power of image and symbols, I was immediately interested in this jewelry. Wearing symbolic jewelry helps to remind us of what we have
Everyone starts their recovery for their own reason. Mine eventually became that I couldn’t stand being so cold all of the time. Never mind the Osteoporosis I developed at age 30, the Amenorrhea I had for 7 years, or that my hair was falling out. All of which were important and even urgent reasons to
While there are many tools and techniques I teach patients in stress management, the most important one is the simplest and basic: how to breathe. We start with the mechanics of healthy breathing and then incorporate mindfulness training. It is a very effective combination. With some additional tools and techniques (Cognitive-Behavioral, Solution-Focused, and Narrative Therapy
Although one of my heroes in college was Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross (who postulated the stages of grief), I never set out to specialize in grief and bereavement (I also treat other issues-Anxiety, Eating Disorders, and more see here). But like the Dr. Deborah Derman, author of Colors of Loss and Healing, an adult coloring book and
Recently, in the New York Times, there was an article on the Dalai Lama and his hiring of two psychologists to create what is now called the online “Atlas of Emotions.” Apparently, the Dalai Lama feels strongly that in order to have World Peace we must have Inner Peace. And to have Inner Peace we
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that 1 in 5 people suffers from a mental condition. I suspect the number is higher if we factor in how many people go through life suffering but never seeking help. Now is a good time to have that talk with
Celebrating Success, Offering Hope & Help This week I am celebrating the recovery and healing journey of those I am privileged to work with and also my own recovery! It’s an exciting week-celebrating our lives and successes. Eating disorders are THE most deadly mental illness, so we are really celebrating the fact that we have
Often couples come to therapy seeking help with either fixing their relationship or deciding whether or not to end it. Sometimes one of them will insist it is all the other person’s fault and spend every session deflecting and blaming while refusing to look at themselves. Interestingly, it is usually the one who has done
A column in the New York Times mentioned some of the health benefits of having plants and flowers in indoor environments. As long as you are not allergic, plants and flowers help foster a more positive and upbeat mood. If you are allergic, maybe cacti, which do flower beautifully on a sunny windowsill, could be
The National Eating Disorders Association has a nice little online screener that you can take to help you gauge where you are at. It’s free and you can take it in under 2 minutes (I did). If you think or you have been told by concerned friends and family that you might have an ED
I think it can be said that there are some marriages that absolutely need counseling and there are others that maybe don’t need it, but would benefit from it. I often tell couples that you may very well work through your relationship issues without professional help, but it will likely take much longer and be
No one really likes to think about what may happen at the end of their life, much less talk to anyone about it. The unfortunate thing is that many people worry about what will happen to them but don’t talk or do anything about it. In reality, if we talk about our fears, our hopes,
I often tell patients to put together a playlist of uplifting, favorite music that they can listen to when feeling down or anxious. A ground-breaking study has shown that music is BETTER than benzodiazepines at reducing anxiety. An added bonus is that unlike benzodiazepines there are no side effects to listening to music and it
For years I have recommended Mandala Coloring books to patients. The benefits of coloring in adult coloring books was highlighted in a recent article in the New York Times. One doesn’t have to be an artist to do it. In my years of working in Psychiatric units and hospitals. I saw first hand the benefits
Psychotherapy, and where warranted, psychotropic medication, can help you work through emotional-psychological issues, relationship difficulties, and the challenges of life. But there are many things you can do to help yourself heal and effectively recover from emotional distress. Now that Spring is finally here, hopefully we are shifting our focus from indoor activities to
If you suffer from anxiety, you may be interested in hearing about a study conducted at the University of Exeter on the effects of looking at pictures of people being loved and cared for upon the brain’s reaction to pictures of threatening or anxiety inducing situations. They found that when subjects in the study viewed
This first week of March is National Sleep Awareness Week. The purpose of it is to bring attention to the importance of adequate sleep and good health. A poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found that good sleep is associated with better health. Recent studies have shown a strong relationship between depression and insomnia.
National Eating Disorder Awareness week seemed like an ideal time for me to write this blog. Back in the early 1990s I was diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa. I was 79 pounds and on the edge of existence. I knew I was too thin, but I liked it. I was the clinical supervisor of a large
In light of the recent findings that two military psychologists aided and abetted torture schemes carried out by the CIA, I want to state unequivocally that I am completely against such actions, am disgusted, angered, and deeply saddened to learn that any psychologist would engage in such completely unethical and sadistic practices. We are bound by the
A New York Times article reported that boredom (having nothing interesting to do), can be as stressful as having too much to do. This is no surprise to me, as I have seen countless bored teens and adults who lack interesting pastimes and hobbies and who exhibit an array of stress-related symptoms that are unrelated
Studies have found that the use of a Light Box can be helpful in alleviating the symptoms of what is commonly known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. S.A.D. is the depressed mood one may experience during the darker, colder Winter months. For some people, the onset of S.A.D.symptoms can be as soon as early Autumn. Light
14 things you can do to cope and feel better With the first day of Autumn, and soon after, the changing of clocks to Daylight Savings Time, Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) sets in for many people. I admit that I was one of them! Right around the first week or two of September, as the
A New York Times article revealed that many CEOs in the high tech industry LIMIT their own children’s exposure to technology. Steve Jobs did not give his children iPads, The founder of Twitter (Evan Williams), gives his children actual BOOKS not iPads. Why, you may wonder? These high tech executives and innovators are afraid their
The death by suicide of comedian Robin Williams has stunned and shocked his fans. It is tragic and sad. How can this happen, that someone who apparently had so much to live for could kill himself? Material success does not provide emotional well-being. While I don’t know the specifics of Robin Williams’ life and suicide,
Companion Animals, Therapy, and Relationships An article in the New York Times magazine mentioned two psychologists whose patients bring their dogs to session. One psychologist specializes in Dog-Owner relationship issues. The other psychologist allows his patients to bring their dogs to their sessions. It was very gratifying to read that some of my colleagues see
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that parents regularly read to their children from infancy onwards. The value of reading to children from birth is tremendous. Reading to children at a young age provides many benefits and is thought to have profound and lasting effects upon their cognitive development and later academic success. Children’s
A psychologist is a mental health professional with a doctorate degree in psychology and extensive training in their area(s) of specialization. A psychiatrist is a mental health professional with a medical degree and extensive training in pharmacotherapy of mental illness. A licensed psychologist has both a doctoral degree with specialized training in clinical psychology and
May is Mental Heath month. During this time mental health professionals and agencies strive to educate the general public about mental health issues and treatment. The Mental Health America website has a few free online assessment tools that are helpful in identifying mental health issues that will benefit from treatment. http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/mental-health-screening-tools The test results are
Spring is here and with its onset our attention shifts from indoor activities to outdoor fun. Websites and experts admonish us to clean out our closets, clean up our yards, and open our windows for fresh air. It’s time for Spring Cleaning. While there are undeniable emotional and psychological benefits to Spring Cleaning, it is
Being a holistic oriented practitioner, I am always interested in safe, effective, natural adjunctives and alternatives to conventional treatments. Aromatherapy is the use of the scents of essential oils of flowers, roots, leaves, and other plant parts to foster emotional and physical well being. The scents are diffused in an area through inexpensive aromatherapy diffusers.
February 23-March 1 is Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Do you or someone you know suffer from issues with food that are affecting your physical, emotional, and social wellbeing? Has food become your friend or enemy? Anorexia, Bulimia, Compulsive Eating, and Bingeing are eating disorders that lead to isolation, wild weight fluctuations, family and relationship conflict, dental
Couples often come for marriage and relationship counseling when something has become broken in the relationship (such as communication) and/or /there has been at least one major stressor-it could be an affair, a financial issue with spending, child rearing disagreements, sexual issues, etc. Usually one party feels “right” or sees him or herself as the
Ever remember your dreams? Have you had the same dream over and over? Have you ever dreamt of falling, of not being able to use your voice, of feeling trapped, chased, lost? Do you have dreams you think are important but are not sure what they mean? Do deceased loved ones appear in your dreams?
I often receive phone calls from individuals who are either interested in starting therapy or have been told they should. First time callers usually ask “How does this work? How do I start?” Let me start from the beginning to explain. Obviously the first step is to contact a few therapists by phone or email.
With the holidays approaching, the stress levels of those coping with eating disorders (as well as their immediate family members) are rapidly rising. Holidays represent time with family and friends, celebrating, eating special foods, and basically being out of our normal routines. All of which create huge amounts of anxiety for those who are coping
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be very disruptive to one’s daily life. The impact upon one’s job, relationships and family can range from mild to severe. I often see children as well as adults who are struggling with the symptoms of this disorder. While medication is frequently prescribed and can be helpful, by itself it
Here is a really terrific article from the NY Times with 10 excellent tips for coping with those first few weeks: They are talking about preschool but it is really the same thing for daycare. The only thing I would add is that it is really important that you let your child know that you
With college students back to their dorms and children and adolescents back to school, the school year has officially started. In a few weeks I will start receiving calls from concerned parents, school guidance counselors, and a few college students about emerging issues with school related matters such as attendance, school and class anxieties, truancy,
Recently in New Jersey Gay Conversion Therapy, a very harmful type of treatment, was banned. The goal of this so called therapy was to change or deny a person’s sexual orientation. What it actually did do was increase depression, anxiety, shame, and suicidal ideation.
Yes, absolutely. But it does depend upon a few very important factors. 1. Remorse from the one who had the affair 2. Re-establishment of Trust. 3. Transparency which is essential to re-establish trust 4. Commitment to the process of healing as guided by Marriage Counseling & Psychotherapy 5. Patience with the process to allow long
This question often comes up in therapy. I worry less about amounts and more about the effects upon a person’s daily living, health, and family. Not to say that amounts don’t matter. I work from a Harm Reduction point of view-meaning that together we identify what your goals are with drinking and your life and
Many people come for counseling for career and job related stress management. Aside from teaching them stress management, I also help them examine whether the job or career they have is a good fit and what to do if it isn’t. We spend about a third of our time working. Many people I know spend
Some therapists recommend couples in troubled marriages make a last ditch effort to save the marriage by taking a vacation together. Generally, I don’t recommend this as I see it as a way to have an expensive breakup in a beautiful place. But really, It all depends upon the couple. If we (the couple and
Anger Management Training is very helpful for individuals who feel they need to learn how to best manage their anger and negative emotions. I also provide Court-Mandated Anger Management. If you have been ordered by the Court or advised by your attorney to seek Anger Management Training, it is important to comply with the Court
ADD or ADHD is perhaps the most over-diagnosed yet under-treated disorder in both children and adults. While medication is undeniably helpful to those who have an attention deficit disorder, medication by itself is not sufficient. Treatment that does not include psychotherapy can lead to an over-reliance on medication. Children and adults benefit enormously from learning
About this time of year, I begin receiving phone calls from college students who are either freshmen entering college for their first semester away from home, or upper classmen, who are struggling with anxiety and/or depressed moods over having to return to college. Eating disorders are also prevalent and often the pressures of going to
As one who has suffered herself from panic attacks with agoraphobia, I know personally and professionally what it takes to recover from anxiety and panic. While normal anxiety is essential to survival, anxiety becomes problematic when our fears and worry begin interfering with daily living. Anxiety can become debilitating—we begin to fear certain situations and
For those who have been diagnosed with a mental disorder such as psychosis or schizophrenia, treatment is long term and often fraught with ups and downs as medications are adjusted or changed and life stressors affect the course of treatment. Supportive psychotherapy combined with the help of a good psychiatrist are essential components to long
As one who weighed over 200 pounds herself, I understand the ups and downs of dieting, weight loss, and the daily challenges of being overweight. In our society and in our families, food is not just food–it is a way of belonging, of comfort, and fun. Recreational eating (excessive unhealthy snacking) is a wide spread
I have had the privilege of serving the LGBTQ+ community for many years with counseling and psychotherapy for indivduals and couples. I worked for several years in San Francisco where I had the opportunity to work in the gay community with individuals and couples. Although this is an exciting time for LGBTQ+ rights, more and
In today’s high pressure and fast paced world, children and adults are finding relief through learning stress management techniques. Whether you are a corporate executive, a busy parent, or child with school and extra curricular commitments, learning how to manage the stress is very helpful. Even positive events can be emotionally stressful. If you or
Post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD can greatly interfere with one’s daily functioning. Left untreated, PTSD can become chronic. Anxiety, emotional turmoil, agitation, and nightmares are very disruptive and often lead to feelings of helplessness and depression. Fortunately, effective treatment is available. If you believe you or a loved one is suffering from PTSD, schedule
I work with adolescents and adults on many types of addictions: Drug & Substance Abuse & Addictions Alcohol Abuse & Addictions Internet Addictions Food Addictions Shopping Addictions (“Retail Therapy”) and more. I do not treat sexual addictions. I utilize a Harm Reduction approach to treating Substance abuse and addictions. Harm Reduction is a highly effective,
I work with many children, adolescents, and families on a wide range of issues that include the following: Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD, ADHD) School Refusal (i.e., refusing to go to school) Noncompliance with house rules Getting homework completed Refusing to sleep in own bed Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Phobias Oppositional Defiant disorder Conduct Disorder Social anxiety
Studies show that supportive psychotherapy paired with good medication monitoring is the most efficacious and successful treatment of mood disorders such as the Bipolar disorders, Schizoaffective disorder, and Major Depressive disorder. With your consent, I will collaborate with your psychiatrist to develop the best treatment approach for you. If you are in need of a
Lacking confidence and having low self-esteem can lead to problems in school, at home, at work, and with friends. Therapy can be very beneficial for children and adolescents and it is especially important to intervene when they appear to be struggling. Adults benefit from therapy in that when we feel more confident and better about
Family conflict and disharmony often is the result of years of behavioral and communication patterns family members have with each other. What was once functional, is now dysfunctional. Communication issues are common as are problems with in-laws and the extended family. We cannot change other people, but we can change our own behavior and how
Infidelity has a huge impact on a marriage. The person who had the affair wants things to be less volatile and may wish to work on the marriage. Their partner may have a great deal of insecurity and hurt. Trust is shattered and communication is often emotional and difficult. In counseling, a couple can learn
I provide couples and marriage counseling for a wide range of relationship issues. Communication problems, parenting issues (where parents do not agree on how to parent), intimacy issues, lack of connection, trust issues, and infidelity–including emotional affairs. Even in the best relationships, patterns that were once functional and helpful may become dysfunctional and disruptive. Identifying
Depression and depressed moods are experienced by everyone at some point in life. Sometimes there are events, relationships, or circumstances that cause one to feel depressed. Other times it seems hard to find a reason. To people on the outside, your life appears fine-your life is “great” yet you just feel tired, down, and can’t
Use these in conjunction with regular psychotherapy and you will absolutely feel better: 1. Don’t Panic by Scottish hypnotherapist Andrew Johnson. Very helpful hypnosis app. (about $3) 2. Breathe2Relax. Great biofeedback-type app to learn how to breathe naturally and effectively to reduce anxiety (Free). 3. T2 Mood Tracker. Nice app to help you become aware of Anxiety levels (as well as
With Summer finally here, schools are out, vacations begin, and the relaxed pace of the season chases away all of our Winter blues. With the damp and cool Spring behind us, most people are enjoying the longer days and warm weather. Right? Well, not everyone. While it is true that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects
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