For 25 years, I’ve lead therapy groups in my office. Week after week, members gathered in circles and shared their heartbreaks, breakthroughs, irritations, frustrations, and victories. They fell in love with each other (or in hate with each other) and experienced so many feelings in-between. Over time, the intimate relationships that they formed in group therapy […]
Whenever depression strikes, people often reach out for emotional support. Communities come together, religious groups gather, family and friends unite. Such healthy relationships lift us, infuse us with courage, and give us strength. When we’re confronted by shared suffering, human contact is healing. It awakens our humanity and triggers self-reflection. Frequently, a crisis causes us to […]
If you’re feeling anxious about the state of the world at this moment, that’s an appropriate reaction. It would be unusual not to be concerned: Since the coronavirus hit, we’ve all been bombarded with terrible news. Maps with red splashes tell us the virus is spreading, death and infection tolls increase daily, misinformation and rumors […]
It changes you forever. The news of death arrives, and time stops. There are few things in life as devastating as the sudden death of a loved one. As your world descends into chaos and you’re flooded with despair, you feel like you’re trapped in a nightmare and can’t wake up: “How could this happen? […]
The information in this post is based on my clinical interviews with teenagers that suffer from marijuana dependency. “I had my first hit of marijuana was in middle school, in a park near my house, hanging out, basically doing nothing. My friend took out a marijuana joint that his brother gave him for his thirteenth […]
These days, simple tasks have become complicated. Face masks, gloves, and jars of hand sanitizer fill our coat pockets or line our closet shelves. Any discomfort caused by these burdensome new accessories is minor compared to catching or spreading the coronavirus. (See 0) With all information and warnings about preventing the spread of COVID-19, why […]
Many of my patients have experienced a resurgence of anxiety and depression since the lockdown began. Critical inner voices muted for years have returned with a vengeance. Those nasty, annoying voices that are quick to promote our failings, criticize our appearance, poke holes in our confidence, and sends our anxiety through the roof. Even a […]
Mystified by your teenager’s behavior? Broken-hearted by the changes you see in him? It’s natural to mourn the loss of the wonder years when your kid becomes a teen. “He was so creative and playful in elementary school.” “She was always laughing and had so many friends.” “He loved family time. Now he won’t come […]
I’ve provided psychotherapy to teenagers for 25 years… I’ve worked with them individually and in groups, in public and private schools, community centers, and in private practice. I’ve always found teenagers to remarkably receptive to therapy, especially group therapy. (See “Why Group Therapy is Best for Teenagers”) So why do so many parents report that […]
So many parents feel that their family communication is full of conflict. They cycle through the same arguments week after week, leaving everyone feeling exhausted and battle-weary. When faced with challenging or problematic behaviors in children, all parents are bound to make mistakes. The five most common are: Blaming each other for their children’s behavior. […]
