By:
Jessica Feldman, M.S.S., LCSW
As a therapist, treating an eating disorder is complex, multi- faceted, and non- linear. It requires the ability to collaborate with a strong team of both professionals specialized in treating eating disorders as well as the loved ones who are integral to the individual’s recovery. It is this experience and more for an individual who is contemplating seeking treatment or beginning treatment.
An individual in the early stages of recovery may be confused by where to start and whether now is the right time for them to commit themselves to treatment. It is common for individuals to delay seeking help due to distorted comparisons and questioning whether one is “sick enough.” An individual who is initially s[...]
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By: Alyson Nerenberg, Psy.D., CSAT-S
I wear a chain with a gold coin on it around my neck. The circular coin says Brave, on it. I wear it to remind myself that I am a warrior. I have been brave many times before in my life and I can be strong again in the future, even if I feel afraid.
I remind myself that I was brave when I went to a rigorous graduate school program for my doctorate even though academics did not come easily to me. I was also brave when I decided to have my third child at almost 40 years old. Hell, I was a warrior with that one! I did not want to live my life with any regrets of what “I should have done”, so I bravely went forward. I was brave when my son had learning differences and I had to advocate for his education. I remind myself that I was brave when I taught my daughters to stand up against injustice, even when it made them feel [...]
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By Alyson Nerenberg, Psy.D., CSAT-S
As a psychologist and mother of three children of different ages, I am frequently asked about parenting. Like any parent, I have moments of brilliance when everything I say comes out sounding perfectly, and other moments where my less than higher self emerges and my kids end up rolling their eyes at me. What I have learned about parenting these past 18+ years, is that we all could use a bit of support every now and then. It is in that vein that I would like to share an excerpt from a letter that I wrote to my oldest daughter as she was leaving for college. She is my first child to move away and I wanted to give her some last minute advice/words of wisdom. Please feel free to borrow whatever you would like, modify them or better yet create your own list.
- Wear color. I know that almost every woman that you meet [...]
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By Katie Dixon, M.S. Ed.
After receiving training in hypnotherapy, I quickly realized that much of my work using this technique would be dispelling myths about what hypnotherapy is not. When I tell people that I am trained as a hypnotherapist, I am met with curiosity, incredulousness, and even trepidation. “Is it mind control?” people ask. “I do not want to be on all fours barking like a dog or clucking like a chicken every time I hear the sound of wind chimes”, they are quick to add. Still others respond as if the key to unlocking a great mystery has been handed to them. There is a willingness to try anything that will free them of unhealthy habits and phobias.
Each of these responses has led me down a path of providing countless explanations about what hypnotherapy is and is not. I am not convinced, however, that my attempts to define hypnotherapy[...]
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by Kristina Ferrari, M. S.Ed.
Recently I stumbled upon the anthem for anxiety, or what I would imagine anxiety would sound like if it had its own soundtrack. There was a rapidly increasing beat, a deafening pulsing sound felt throughout the body, a less than kind voice barking orders and formulating its own reality. This tune even came complete with a countdown to what could best be described as impending doom. Now, it's safe to say that this same song could be experienced by others in a far different way, even motivating perhaps. But that was not my experience. My experience, rather my reality at the time, was all negative.
It happened quite randomly and without any intention on my end. I was in the middle of my daily workout when a song from that week's playlist began. It's important to note that this particular exercise regimen change[...]
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by Dr. Alyson Nerenberg, Psy.D., CSAT-S
After 26 years of practice, I am finally writing a blog….. The reason for my long overdue post is that I have been very busy living my own beautiful/messy life and have not gotten around to writing about it, until now! By way of background, I currently juggle: a husband, three kids between the ages of seven and eighteen years old and a white fluffy dog. Additionally, I own a private practice that consists of myself and five other incredible psychotherapists, as well as a bookkeeper/office manager who keeps us all organized. On the good days, everything runs smoothly and I am filled with gratitude to do what I love and still manage to be there for my family. On the difficult days, I am managing life’s chaos the best way I can using spirituality, a positive approach and a sen[...]
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Written by: Dr. Alyson Nerenberg,Psy.D., CSAT-S
Last December I had a texting communication with a “friend” who had recently lost her father. She was communicating to me through texts about how painful her grieving process was. I had commiserated with her and said that “I so got it”’ and that I hoped the year 2018 would be better for both of us.
She quickly attacked me and said “you didn’t lose your parent so how could you possibly understand grief?” I then received a barrage of texts about how much deeper her pain was than anything I could possibly understand.
There was a lot that was wrong with this communication. The first and most important point, was that it was done through texts and not through verbal communication where tones of voice and contexts could be understood. [...]
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