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Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health issues affecting children. While it's normal for kids to feel worried or nervous from time to time, persistent or intense anxiety can significantly impact their overall well-being and daily functioning. Recognizing the signs of anxiety in children and knowing how to manage it effectively is crucial for parents and caregivers. In this blog post, we'll explore how to identify anxiety in children and provide practical strategies for supporting them. Recognizing Anxiety in Children: Anxiety in children can manifest in various ways, and it's essential for parents to be aware of the signs. Here are some common indicators of anxiety in children: Physical Symptoms: Stomach aches, headaches, muscle tension, and fatigue are common physical symptoms of anxiety in children. Behavioral Changes: Avoidance of certain situations or tasks, withdrawal from social interactions, irritability, and perfectionism can all be signs of anxiety. Emotional Reactions: Excessive worry, fearfulness, tearfulness, and emotional sensitivity are emotional symptoms that may indicate anxiety in children. Cognitive Patterns: Negative thinking, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and hypervigilance are cognitive symptoms often associated with childhood anxiety. Social Challenges: Social withdrawal, difficulty making friends, and performance anxiety in social situations are common social symptoms of anxiety in children. Managing Childhood Anxiety: Fortunately, there are many strategies parents can use to help their children manage anxiety effectively. Here are some practical tips: Create a Safe and Supportive Environment: Foster open communication with your child, listen to their concerns without judgment, and provide reassurance and encouragement. Teach Coping Skills: Teach relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness exercises to help your child calm down when feeling anxious. Establish Predictable Routines: Establish consistent daily routines to provide structure and predictability, which can help reduce anxiety. Encourage Healthy Habits: Encourage regular physical activity, healthy eating, and adequate sleep, as these habits can help reduce anxiety. Model Calm Behavior: Be mindful of your own reactions to stress and anxiety, and model healthy coping strategies for your child to emulate. Seek Professional Help if Needed: If your child's anxiety significantly interferes with their daily functioning or quality of life, consider seeking help from a qualified mental health professional (licensed therapist or psychologist) who specializes in working with children. Educate Yourself: Learn more about childhood anxiety and how it manifests, so you can better understand and support your child. Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate your child's efforts and progress in managing anxiety, no matter how small. When should medication be considered? Medication for childhood anxiety is usually considered when symptoms are severe, persistent, and significantly impair the child's functioning and quality of life despite other interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and lifestyle changes. Like adults, the first-line medication treatment for anxiety during childhood includes the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants due to their effectiveness and relatively low risk of side effects. They work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which can help regulate mood and reduce anxiety symptoms. Examples of SSRI’s include fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft). These may also be recommended if a child has a co-occurring condition such as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that is not adequately managed with therapy alone. Important Considerations for Parents: Consultation with a Mental Health Professional: Before considering medication for your child's anxiety, it's essential to consult with a qualified mental health professional who can conduct a thorough assessment and discuss treatment options tailored to your child's needs. Risks and Benefits: Discuss the potential risks and benefits of medication with your child's healthcare provider, including possible side effects and long-term effects on development. Monitoring and Follow-Up: If medication is prescribed, closely monitor your child for any changes in symptoms or side effects, and attend regular follow-up appointments with their mental healthcare provider to assess treatment progress and adjust medication as needed. Comprehensive Treatment Approach: Medication should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach that may also include therapy, lifestyle changes, and support from family and caregivers. If Your Child Struggles With Anxiety, We Can Help! Recognizing anxiety in children and knowing how to manage it effectively is essential for parents and caregivers. By being attentive to the signs of anxiety, providing support, and implementing practical strategies, parents can help their children develop coping skills and resilience to navigate life's challenges. Remember that every child is unique, so it's essential to tailor your approach to meet your child's individual needs and preferences. With patience, understanding, and support, you can help your child thrive despite their anxiety. If you’re in need of more support to help your child struggling with anxiety, worry, stress, or panic attacks, contact us for your complimentary consultation at 954-391-5305. Our team of expert therapists, psychologists, and psychiatric medication providers can help you, your child, and your family! For more information about Crystal Adkins, psychiatric medication provider located at Bayview Therapy (Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, and Plantation, Florida), click here.

Resentment has been described as an underlying feeling of negativity or a lingering unhappiness without a clear and immediate/direct cause. Resentment in a relationship isn't always the easiest to spot. It takes time to develop and we don't always recognize it as it is happening until things are bad enough/unavoidable. Resentment isn't exactly abnormal, as all couples go through turmoil, but it is an uncomfortable feeling that can strain a relationship if not identified, repaired, and avoided in the future. Prolonged resentment can even be described as toxic and the catalyst to a relationship's demise if not addressed properly. How To Identify Resentment: A vital step in repairing resentment and avoiding future problems is to understand what it feels and looks like in a relationship. Resentment happens when we harbor frustrations, angers, and struggles from your relationship/toward your partner that go unspoken or unresolved. Identifying resentment could be done by addressing any of these recurring feelings you may be experiencing and stop ignoring them. Self-reflecting on your emotions is a great place to start. Taking a step back and assessing the ins-and-outs of your relationship and its patterns is also helpful to spot some rough spots that may have gone unaddressed overtime. Are you finding yourself feeling low, wanting to avoid your partner, mad but don't know the reason, picking fights, or withdrawing from your partner? If so, these may be signs that resentment is present in your relationship and some work needs to be done. By taking these actions you are one step closer to working on repairing resentment and strengthening your relationship. How To Repair Resentment: Resentment isn't the beginning of the problem. Resentment is caused by underlying issues that go unresolved over time. These types of issues are common in relationships but can turn into deeper problems if they recur without healthy solutions. Being able to know what some of the problems are that may be contributing to feelings of resentment is an important process in repairing resentment. Common Causes of Resentment: Poor Communication Recurring Fights/Disagreements Needs Not Being Met Disrespect Breaking Boundaries Assumptions Trauma Trust Betrayal Infidelity Once you are able to pin-point some of these problems that may be present in your relationship you can take adequate steps to communicate and explore resolutions to these conflicts. Making sure you are practicing healthy communication and listening skills is essential in repairing the damage these problems can/have caused. Feeling heard, working together, and exploring solutions is essential in repairing resentment. Time and effort are two key ingredients in the repair process. Your effort to make the changes needed to fix these problems paired with patience and consistency with these changes overtime is what helps you chip away at the resentment. Once this happens you are able to build stronger feelings of trust, respect, and support with/from your partner. Therapy with a mental health counselor or couples therapist can be an extremely useful tool during this step to help you communicate your feelings of hurt, identify the changes that need to happen, and assure you are on the right path at repairing any resentment. How To Avoid Resentment: Lastly, avoiding resentment is the ideal goal for your relationship. Identifying some of the previously discussed causes and working together to navigate your day to day conflicts as they happen in present time is going to be the best advice to avoid resentment. Developing healthy conflict resolution skills with the use of open, honest, and vulnerable communication can help you navigate any struggles together. Assure you are turning toward your partner to manage problems, deepen connection, and work together to build a foundation that is secure. Apologizing, taking accountability, minimizing blame and criticism, and making an effort to change bad patterns are also key components in avoiding resentment. Relationships are difficult and going through some speed bumps along the way is completely normal and to be expected. The problems turn into resentment with the inability to effectively set healthy boundaries, communicate wants, needs, and expectations, and work through complications together. If you prioritize strengthening these healthy relationship skills, primarily good communication, boundaries, and fulfillment of wants and needs, resentment doesn't have to become a barrier to overcome in your relationship. But don't fret, if you and your partner are dealing with resentment there is help and there are ways to overcome it and work towards the healthy relationship you deserve. Get Relationship Support Today: I work with both individuals and couples to help support their relationships. I have extensive experience focusing on areas such as attachment styles, communication, conflict resolution, intimacy, and trust building. My main goal and priority in therapy is to help those who desire it to foster secure, happy, and healthy relationships. Asking for help is a positive thing and relationships are hard. Therapy is an amazing resource to help those overcome challenges in their lives that can be impacting their relationship. If you or someone you know may need any form of relationship support, please don't hesitate to contact Bayview Therapy today at 954-391-5305 for a complimentary phone consultation to discuss your therapy needs. Ask to speak with Jamie Ratowski, LMFT. I offer counseling for adults and couples at our beautiful office located in Plantation, Florida that can accommodate all your relationship needs. I also accommodate most online therapy requests through a secure telehealth platform. For more information about my approach or my services, visit my bio here.

We know without a doubt that a police officer is going to be adept at handling a firearm when he/she steps onto the job for the first time, and we can rest assured that a firefighter is going to be educated in water pressure, scene size-up, and fire containment. An emergency room nurse is going to know CPR and a 911 operator is going to be able to multitask. With all of the time spent in “the academy'' and under mentorship as a “probie,” it is assumed that these folks are going to be trained to the hilt to manage the critical position that they have chosen nobly to inhabit. With all of the classroom instruction and on-site preparation, one aspect that gets woefully overlooked in the training of first responders, is what the career will do to them. There is not enough focus on how life as a first responder will affect their health, their families, their relationships, and their very personalities. What will happen to their nervous system with repeated sleepless nights and frequent exposure to danger. What will happen to their marriage when the person they share their life with couldn’t possibly understand. What will happen to their psyche when they pull a little girl out of a pool who is the same age as their daughter. Countless resources are spent on making sure that first responders know how to protect their physical safety. Until recently, virtually none was spent on safeguarding their emotional safety. Just as preparation is crucial to do the job as a first responder, readiness for the mental and emotional toll it will take is equally important. One of the best gifts we can give to ready first responders for the emotional gauntlet that lies ahead is letting them know that there is an actual neurological process at play in their work, what they are feeling is normal, and that it will take a special awareness and intentionality to stay safe… mentally and emotionally. Below are five truths that every first responder should know. 1. Beware the “Hypervigilance Roller Coaster”: This is a term coined by Dr. Kevin Gilmartin in his book, “Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement: A Guide for Officers and Their Families.” Dr. Gilmartin offers the unique perspective of both a career cop and a behavioral scientist. He explains that there is a biological process at play with first responders on shift and off. When at work these folks are often experiencing a boost in chemicals and neurotransmitters typically associated with excitement and even euphoria. This results in them feeling invigorated, tuned in, and connected to the people around them. And because no heightened state of arousal is sustainable over time, when the body seeks a return to homeostasis, typically when the first responder is coming off shift, the body’s arousal chemicals and neurotransmitters plummet leaving the person with the opposite experience which includes lethargy, disconnection, and even depression. This is most often felt when the first responder returns home from shift so they can often mistake the unpleasant state with their surroundings. In other words, without having knowledge of the hypervigilance roller coaster, all they know is that they feel good when they are at work, and frankly feel like crap when they are at home. This can cause them to mistake their marriage or home life for the reason they are unhappy. And incidentally, the amount of time it takes for the body to rebound and return to baseline is typically the same amount of time until their next shift. And up and down on the hypervigilance roller coaster we go. 2. Empathy Burnout: No, you are not a sociopath because everyone else was crying during the movie and you weren’t. You are not cruel or evil because you no longer bat an eye at what would make most people cringe. In an effort to keep yourself safe, your brain has done an amazing job at habituating, or getting used to, what you are exposed to on a regular basis. If you were to fully feel the pain of every crying spouse, or the horror of every open wound, surely you would explode. Empathy burnout is a reaction to beholding a level of atrocity, and carrying the weight of emotions each and every shift that most people experience perhaps once in a lifetime. In order to cope, the brain shuts down or numbs out its sympathy center so that you can continue to do your job. But as you will often see, what tends to be incredibly helpful at work is actually quite harmful at home. As adept at protection as the brain is, it’s not nearly as good at knowing when it’s appropriate to flip the emotional switch. Understandably, this can cause problems with family and friends who interpret your disconnection as negativity, disinterest, or even cruelty. Empathy or compassion burnout are a part of every first responder job and something that any therapist working with them should be able to recognize. Awareness can help to mitigate the effects of this survival strategy, as well as techniques to balance first responder work with socialization and activities outside of the scope of their job. 3. “You know what you signed up for”: Ahhh, the classic adage uttered by old crusties since the beginning of the service. Other forms of this gem may be, “suck it up, you knew this was part of the deal” or, “if you can’t handle it, you shouldn’t be here.” This is like telling an exhausted, tearful, overwhelmed new mother “well, you knew what you signed up for, so, you really have no right to complain, to react, to struggle.” Having your life threatened or watching other people fight for their own is something that you cannot possibly prepare for. No matter how much research you do, or even how many ride alongs you go on, there is no way to anticipate how the brain and body will react until you are placed in the position. Many factors influence how someone may react to traumatic scenarios. These include their history, how their families of origin responded to adversity, other life events that have occurred before the trauma, their coping skills, their support system, even their own biochemistry and brain structure. Having an emotional response to trauma is normal, having the expectation that you should have no response is not. The more we are able to normalize common reactions to traumatic events like anxiety, sleep disturbances, guilt, and reexperiencing the event, the more effectively first responders will be able to cope with and overcome the daily stressors of their work. 4. Administrative Trauma vs. call Trauma: If people were to guess what leads most first responders to therapy, common guesses would include nearly losing their lives, witnessing the loss of a comrade, or simply the barrage of painful calls they run on a daily basis. Surprisingly, though these certainly do come up in the therapeutic process, it appears to be a different type of “trauma” that actually drives these folks into therapy. Many of the responders who seek out help often do so in relation to an offense that occurred much closer to home, within their own department or administration. Things like internal investigations on calls they felt they did their best on, being denied workers comp for injuries sustained on the job, or even being pushed out of their position following “murky” cases or calls or behavior amongst the brotherhood where they thought they were safe. Though these may seem like little things compared to what the general public perceives first responder stressors to be, when you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. When one’s entire identity is tied up in their job, when they neglect their families, put their lives on the line, dedicate their entire existence to their career, being let down by the very family they have wholly devoted themselves to can be the biggest trauma of all. Though they may be struggling to cope with witnessing trauma on the job, being betrayed or let down by the only people they thought understood them, were on their side, that they thought would protect them, can be the one thing they simply cannot tolerate. 5. Escapist Behavior: Taking all of the aforementioned into consideration, what are these guys and gals to do to maintain their sanity? Some healthy outlets include socializing with people outside of the department, exercising, meditating, and seeking out peer support. Unfortunately, other coping strategies may come into play that are not so positive. These are known as “escapist behaviors.” Escapist behaviors can serve two purposes: one is to chase the dragon of the hypervigilance roller coaster where the individual seeks to recreate the “high” of being on the job. These activities may include speeding, gambling, overspending, or even extra marital relationships. The other function is to numb out; to distract and deflect from all of the unpleasant stimuli and compound trauma. Here you may see excessive scrolling on the phone, isolating from friends and family, and alcohol or substance use. Though these behaviors can be problematic on their own, it is important to recognize that with this population, they may very well be more a symptom of the problem than the problem itself. Underneath it all, first responders are human just like the rest of us. But it would be doing them a huge disservice to treat them just like any other client. Because the demands of the job are so unique, so too needs to be the knowledge of the therapist and approach of the treatment. Working with a Certified First Responder Counselor Can Help! If you are a first responder considering therapy or the spouse/partner of a first responder looking for more support, contact us for your complimentary phone consultation at 954.391.5305. We look forward to chatting with you about how we can help you and your family. For more information about Sara Speed, LMHC and Certified First Responder’s approach to working with first responders and their spouses/partners, click here. We offer counseling for first responders and their families at our beautiful offices in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, and Plantation, Florida. We also offer online therapy via our secure telehealth platform. Listen to Sara Speed's Podcast Interview on her work with First Responders: Listen to Sara Speed's Podcast Interview on the Private Practice Startup where she talks about the 5 most important things therapists need to know when working with first responders.

People come to therapy for a myriad of reasons, including but not limited to, addressing mental health concerns, relationship issues, personal growth, navigating internal/external conflict, trauma and PTSD, anxiety and depression, life transitions, addictions, and so on. Albeit there are a plethora of reasons one may seek out therapy, ultimately, the common desire is for healing, support and personal growth. Therapy can offer individuals a safe space to explore thoughts and feelings, gain insight into challenges, increase hope and understanding, and develop skills for living a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Faith-Based counseling also known as Christian Counseling is also an option for those who want to incorporate their faith, values, and spiritual beliefs into the therapy process. What is Faith and How Does it Fit into Counseling? Faith, in a nutshell, typically refers to a strong belief, trust, confidence or conviction, in something or someone, often without tangible proof or evidence. Faith can manifest in various forms, including religious faith, faith in self, faith in others, and/or faith in the universe or a higher power. Having faith can provide individuals with a sense of purpose, hope, and resilience, particularly during challenging times. It can serve as a source of comfort, inspiration, and motivation, helping individuals navigate uncertainty and adversity with courage and optimism. Faith is a deeply personal and subjective experience, and it can vary greatly from person to person. Faith-Based Therapy Defined: At the junction of therapy and purposeful application of faith, emerges Faith-Based therapy. Faith-Based therapy, which is also called spiritual or religious counseling, integrates religious or spiritual beliefs and practices into the therapeutic process. The goal is to help individuals find healing, guidance, and support through their faith or spirituality. Moreover, faith based therapy can be combined with other therapeutic practices, such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) or couples counseling to provide comprehensive mental health support. Faith-Based counseling can be provided by licensed mental health professionals who are also trained in, or have experience in, religious or spiritual counseling, such as Christian counselors, pastoral counselors, or counselors with expertise in other faith traditions. For those experiencing more complex challenges related to mental health or their relationships, it’s helpful to work with a licensed mental health professional who has a specialization in Faith-Based therapy. What does Faith-Based Therapy Consist of? Faith-Based therapy consists of using principles from specific faith traditions, or spirituality, to address mental, emotional, and behavioral issues. Faith-based therapy may incorporate scripture, prayer, rituals, and other types of spiritual practices into therapy sessions. It can draw from various religious traditions such as Christianity, Buddhism, or other spiritual practices. Unbeknownst to many, spiritual practices used in faith based therapy are common practices often used in traditional therapy, and daily life. Some of the practices that are used during Faith Based Therapy sessions can include, but aren’t limited to: Prayer: Prayer is a common spiritual healing practice found in many religious traditions. It involves communicating with a higher power or divine source, seeking guidance, comfort, or healing. Meditation: Meditation is a practice that involves quieting the mind, focusing attention, and cultivating awareness. It can be used for spiritual healing by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and fostering a sense of inner peace and connection. Mindfulness: Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment with openness and acceptance. It can be used as a spiritual healing practice to cultivate self-awareness, compassion, and equanimity. Nature Connection: Connecting with nature is a spiritual healing practice that involves spending time outdoors, immersing oneself in natural surroundings, and cultivating a sense of reverence and gratitude for the natural world. Nature-based practices such as forest bathing, ecotherapy, or wilderness retreats can promote healing and renewal. Creative Expression: Creative expression through art, music, dance, or writing can be a powerful spiritual healing practice. It allows individuals to access deeper levels of awareness, express emotions, and connect with the divine through the act of creation. Gratitude & Affirmations: Gratitude and affirmations can be used as spiritual healing practices that focus on cultivating positive thoughts, attitudes, and intentions. Gratitude practices involve expressing appreciation for blessings and gifts in one's life, while affirmations involve repeating positive statements to reprogram the subconscious mind and promote healing and transformation. What Are the Benefits of Faith-Based Therapy? Faith-based therapy can offer several avenues of support for individuals and couples who are struggling with various concerns, including but not limited to: Stress & Anxiety: Many faith traditions offer coping strategies such as prayer, meditation, mindfulness, and reliance on religious texts or teachings. These practices can help individuals manage stress, anxiety, and depression by providing tools for relaxation, perspective-taking, and emotional regulation. Sadness & Depression: Belief in a higher power or divine plan can instill a sense of hope and resilience, helping individuals navigate through challenging circumstances and setbacks. Faith-based therapy can help individuals and couples strengthen their faith so they can develop a deeper trust in themselves and their ability to overcome obstacles. Trauma/PTSD & Addictions: Many faith traditions emphasize the importance of forgiveness, both of oneself and others. Faith-based therapy may incorporate forgiveness practices and rituals, which can be instrumental in overcoming feelings of guilt, shame, or resentment associated with addiction or past traumatic experiences. Fear & Uncertainty: Surrendering control often involves letting go of fear and anxiety about the future. Faith-based therapy helps individuals develop faith that things will work out as they are meant to, even if they don't have complete control over the outcome. This shift in perspective can reduce feelings of stress and worry and promote a sense of peace and acceptance. Stagnation & Disconnect: Faith-based therapy often helps individuals find meaning and purpose in their lives through their spiritual beliefs. Connecting with a higher power, engaging in reflective practices, or exploring spiritual teachings can provide a sense of direction and hope, which can be particularly helpful in overcoming feelings of stagnation or negativity. Isolation & Withdrawal: Religious or spiritual communities often provide a strong support network for individuals undergoing difficult times. Faith-based therapy can help individuals tap into these communities for additional support, encouragement, and companionship. Emotional Distress & Inner Conflict: Faith-based therapy assists individuals in aligning their behaviors and decisions with their religious or spiritual values. This integration can provide a sense of self awareness, understanding and inner peace, reducing feelings of conflict or distress that may contribute to anxiety or depression. Grief, Loss & Mourning: Many individuals struggling with mental health issues grapple with existential questions about the meaning of life, suffering, and death. Faith-based therapy can provide a space for exploring these questions within the context of one's faith tradition, offering insights and guidance that may help one to better process grief and loss. Who is Faith-Based Therapy For? Faith-Based therapy can be beneficial for individuals, couples and families who seek to integrate their spiritual beliefs into the therapeutic process. Individuals who adhere to a specific religious tradition or have spiritual beliefs often find faith-based therapy particularly meaningful. When seeking faith-based therapy, it’s important for an individual to find a therapist who respects their beliefs and values and to choose an approach to therapy that aligns with their personal preferences and needs. For many couples, faith-based therapy can deepen their spiritual connection and intimacy with each other. Couples may engage in spiritual practices together, such as prayer, meditation, or attending religious services, which can enhance their emotional closeness and sense of unity. Faith-based therapy can provide couples with a holistic approach to relationship counseling that addresses their emotional, spiritual, and relational needs. If you’re interested in exploring how Faith-Based Therapy can help, contact us for your complimentary consultation at 954.391.5305. We offer Faith-Based Counseling for individuals, couples, and families at our beautiful counseling offices located in south Florida. We also provide Faith-Based counseling online via our secure telehealth platform. For more information about J’Nay Reckard, LMHC’s services or approach to Faith-Based Counseling, click here.

Millions of Americans struggle with mental health issues. As a result of the pandemic, online therapy also known as telehealth or teletherapy became not only more widely available, but preferred by many clients and therapists. But what if you move to another state or you are referred to a therapist that practices in a different state? Interstate licensing compacts, such as PSYPACT, addresses that issue. What is PSYPACT? PSYPACT is an interstate licensing compact that allows licensed psychologists (mental health therapists with Ph.D. or Psy.D. credentials) to legally and ethically provide teletherapy (online video therapy) across state lines in participating PSYPACT states. In the state of Florida, PSYPACT was enacted on July 1, 2023 and, as a result, has given psychologists the flexibility to provide therapy across the country. As a psychologist with the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) from the PSYPACT Commission, Dr. Heather Violante, Psy.D. provides telehealth to adults living in Florida and New York (where she is licensed), as well as to adults in PSYPACT participating states. Why is PSYPACT Important for Counseling Across State Lines? Interstate licensing compacts like PSYPACT are so important when it comes to increasing access to mental healthcare. There are many benefits to both the client and the provider, and it solves a lot of problems that prevent people from getting the care they need. How Teletherapy and PSYPACT Address Common Barriers to Mental Healthcare Common barriers to accessing quality mental healthcare include: Cost: With a greater choice in therapists, fewer overhead costs for therapists (commuting, office rent), and no travel costs for clients, teletherapy is a great way to access therapy and save money on traveling/commuting. And since teletherapy has become widely available, several insurance companies cover teletherapy services. Stigma: Teletherapy gives you the option to get care from your own home so privacy from public spaces is guaranteed. Increased comfortability and a less intimidating environment means more individuals can feel comfortable seeing a therapist. If you can’t find a quiet, private place at home, you can have your teletherapy session from your office, your car, or even in a secluded space in your garden, basically wherever you choose. Busy Schedule: Now you can squeeze in a 45 - 60 minute therapy session during your day. You don’t have to take traveling into account and can easily fit in appointments around busy schedules. Geographical Limitations: If you live in a remote or rural area where there is limited access to mental healthcare, you can see a therapist anywhere in your state. And because of PSYPACT, you can see a licensed PSYPACT psychologist in any PSYPACT enrolled state, offering even more choices in therapists. If you happen to be referred to an out-of-state psychologist you might like to work with who is credentialed with PSYPACT and you reside in a PSYPACT enrolled state then this even opens up the opportunity for you to be able to receive therapeutic services by this psychologist whom, otherwise, might not have been able to work with you without the presence of PSYPACT. Lack of Therapists Available: If you live in a place where there are few therapists specializing in the specific area you need, you might have to wait a long time to see them until they have availability. Teletherapy and PSYPACT give you the opportunity to see a therapist who has availability even sooner, even if they are in a different state from you. PSYPACT and other interstate compacts open your pool of available therapists without having to travel. Benefits of PSYPACT for Clients: There are many people who can benefit from PSYPACT. If you live in one state and work in another and they are both PSYPACT enrolled states, you can have virtual sessions with your psychologist from either state. Many people travel for work, and rather than disrupting your therapy routine, you can have continuous mental healthcare. This is also helpful for college students who have residences in multiple states. In Florida, snowbirds often live in another state for half of the year, and PSYPACT allows for continuation of care. You can rest assured that the PSYPACT psychologist you work with is a safe and valid therapist. The process for psychologists to become certified with PSYPACT is a thorough application process. The process reviews the psychologist’s credentials, verifies they are licensed, and reviews their education and professional background. To find out if your therapist has an active Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) credential granted from the PSYPACT Commission, visit: https://www.verifypsypact.org/PsypactDirectory Benefits of PSYPACT for Psychologists: Rather than getting individual licenses in all or multiple states, which can be cumbersome, expensive, impractical, and time-consuming, PSYPACT offers psychologists the option to become credentialed to provide teletherapy to clients around the country, and the list of states joining PSYPACT is growing. It is a cost-effective way to reach more clients and offer online therapy to people who might not otherwise be able to access care. In order to apply to PSYPACT, you must be a licensed psychologist (Psy.D. or Ph.D.) in an already enrolled PSYPACT state. Get the Help You Need From Wherever You Are: You deserve high quality mental healthcare, inner peace, and happiness, no matter where you live. Dr. Heather Violante, Psy.D., offers online therapy to adults living in Florida, New York, and PSYPACT enrolled states. Contact Dr. Violante today at 954.391.5305 for your complimentary consultation to find out how she can help you improve your overall wellbeing and achieve your goals. For more information about her approach to counseling or services provided, click here.

Ever wondered how to support your child with overcoming their anxiety and fears? EMDR Therapy offers an innovative approach that helps to alleviate your child’s thoughts, feelings and memories interfering with their daily lives. Is it fear, worry, or anxiety? As children continue to grow, they will experience certain fears and worries that are developmentally appropriate. However, when a child does not outgrow those feelings and they seem to interfere with school, home, or play activities, the child might be experiencing anxiety. Here are some common types of anxiety manifesting in children: Being very afraid when away from parents (separation anxiety) Having extreme fear about a specific thing or situation, such as dogs, spiders, or going to the doctor (phobias) Being very worried about the future and about bad things happening (generalized anxiety) Having repeated episodes of sudden, unexpected, intense fear that comes with symptoms such as: heart pounding, having trouble breathing, or feeling dizzy, shaky, or sweaty (panic disorder) Being very afraid of school and other places where there are people (social anxiety) Anxiety can also make children feel irritable and can present with more physical symptoms such as sweating, heart beating, nightmares, headaches and stomachaches. 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy for Kids: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic modality that has become widely accepted for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and other stress related symptoms in children and adolescents. EMDR can help to strengthen feelings of confidence, calmness and mastery. During the course of EMDR treatment, your child will be provided with specific phases for the treatment of those yucky memories and thoughts. It is important to note that children’s needs and length of treatment vary depending on their own unique needs. Below you can find a breakdown of the standard protocol of EMDR treatment: 1. Client History & Treatment Planning: This phase takes place during the first couple of sessions. We focus on obtaining relevant information about your child, their symptoms, severity and intensity. The clinician will also conduct a parent session to obtain collateral information from the child’s main caregivers or parents. This phase is crucial as the clinician will be identifying appropriate “targets” or main memories to use for processing in phase 3. 2. Preparation (Safety & Strength Building): Your child will be provided with resources and skills to help enhance feelings of safety, confidence and mastery. Helping your child gain tools to manage some intense emotions is important during this stage. Parents are a big part of treatment during this phase as you can help reinforce new behaviors, adaptive beliefs and skills in between sessions. 3. Assessment (Target Set-up): This part of treatment is essential as it is about working on a specific “target problem.” Your child will work with the therapist to identify 7 important parts: (1) an image that comes to mind when thinking about the problem, (2) unhelpful thoughts and (3) helpful thoughts (4) how true those helpful thoughts feel, (5) the emotions the child feels, (6) how stressed the problem make the child feel and (7) where do those feelings show up in their bodies. 4. Desensitization (“Discharging stress”): This is the fun part for children as it requires movement and creativity! EMDR for children can be adapted to their unique needs. As regular EMDR eye stimulation is commonly used in adults by focusing on a target light or using buzzers for sensations, EMDR Therapy in children can be done differently. Children can jump back and forth, use bubbles, magic wands, pointers, dancing and other integration of play therapy techniques. These movements can help discharge the stress out of their bodies, hearts and minds. 5. Installation of positive and helpful thoughts: Making sure we are helping your child feel confident and secure of themselves when facing a situation is crucial in EMDR treatment. This phase focuses on strengthening those helpful and positive thoughts so when they are reminded or think about the target problem, they don’t feel too stressed. 6. Body Scan: (“Body Awareness”): It is important to teach children to recognize where in the body the discomfort can be located. During this phase, the child will release all the stress and unhelpful memories stored in their body. Usually, extra back and forth movements might be needed to release any discomfort left. 7. Closure: Despite being a big or small worry, we often need to validate our efforts in therapy. Engaging in relaxation activities or other exercises is a great way to close up weekly sessions. Therapists will be discussing additional steps and or suggestions about what to expect in between sessions. 8. Reevaluation: During this phase, the therapist can gather additional information from the child’s parents and caregivers to dictate progress and treatment effects. The therapist will discuss with the parent alone about specific behaviors and observations in between sessions. Please note that just like any other therapy, it is important that treatment fits your child’s needs and your therapist will create a personalized approach to best fit your child’s unique needs and goals. EMDR has shown efficacy to integrate different types of modalities including sand tray therapy, play therapy, art therapy amongst others. Ready to Discover How EMDR Therapy Can Help Your Child Overcome Anxiety? Contact us for your complimentary consultation at 954-391-5305 so we can discuss how EMDR therapy can help your child overcome anxiety or other challenges. For more information about Lorena Arrarte, LMHC click here. Lorena provides counseling for children, teens, and families at our beautiful Fort Lauderdale and Coral Springs counseling offices. She also provides online therapy via our secure telehealth platform for those who reside in the state of Florida.

Life is filled with unexpected twists and turns, and the shadow of adverse childhood events (ACE) can linger longer than we realize. The Centers for Disease Control reveals a staggering 63.9% of U.S. adults have encountered at least one ACE, with 17.3% grappling with four or more. The reverberations of childhood trauma often seep into our relationships, making it crucial to explore how these experiences shape our connections. Understanding the Intricate Dance of Trauma in Relationships Think of trauma as an uninvited guest in your relationship, sometimes making a grand entrance (like discovering a long-lasting affair), and other times lurking in the background, subtly influencing behaviors. Delving into each partner's early development history unveils the framework through which they perceive and respond to present-day events. Unraveling the Threads of Past Trauma in Your Relationship Identifying the impact of past trauma on your relationship is vital. Here are signs to consider: Overreactions to seemingly minor events. Communication struggles, with difficulty listening and validating each other. Rejection and dismissiveness of partner's needs. Intense fights or increased avoidance. Lower tolerance for each other's independence. Exclusive focus on the negative aspects of the relationship. Growing suspicions and attributions of ill motives. Deterioration of friendship, intimacy, and bonding rituals. Attack/defend strategies or emotional withdrawal. Signs of abuse, substance use, or infidelity. Spotting these signs early on can be a game-changer for your relationship's well-being. How Couples Therapy Transforms Trauma's Impact Embarking on the journey of couples therapy can be transformative, helping to untangle the threads of trauma in the following ways: Reversing Negative Cycles: Identifying and reframing conditioned negative responses from the past. Re-engaging with Vulnerability: Encouraging authentic, vulnerable communication and reducing destructive behaviors. Prioritizing Safety & Security: Creating a safe space for open communication and emotional regulation. Normalizing & Educating: Providing empathy, understanding, and psychoeducation about trauma's impact on mind and body. Communication from a New Frame: Practicing effective communication and emotion regulation skills to rebuild trust. A Trauma-Informed Couples Therapy Approach to Healing Relationships A trauma-informed therapist is like a guide helping partners carry the weight of their shared trauma bucket. By learning to navigate this together, spillage onto the relationship can be minimized. If you recognize signs of trauma affecting your relationship, don't hesitate to reach out for assistance. I offer a complimentary phone consultation and am here to help you rebuild trust and connection. Give me a call at 954.391.5305 to discuss how I can help! Let's navigate the path to healing together. I provide counseling for adults and couples in our beautiful Fort Lauderdale and Plantation counseling offices. I also provide online therapy via our secure telehealth platform for those who reside in the state of Florida. Click here to learn more about my trauma-informed approach to couples therapy.

Do you ever feel like no matter how hard you work and how much you achieve it still never feels like it’s enough? Like there’s something within you that WILL NOT allow you to be proud of yourself for longer than a few minutes before you’re in pursuit of the next big goal. However, when it comes to making mistakes or receiving criticism, you can sit in shame and disappointment for what feels like an eternity. Your mind is super sensitive to negative comments from others and also tends to minimize or even dismiss any complimentary feedback. If you find yourself caught in the web of these challenges, know that you are not alone. Many high-functioning individuals, just like you, battle with the invisible shackles of their past and the relentless pursuit of perfection. The pressure to excel, coupled with unresolved childhood trauma, can create a breeding ground for these challenges. Understandably, it may feel overwhelming, leaving you questioning your worth and capabilities. Take a deep breath; what you're experiencing is a normal response to abnormal circumstances. The good news is that there is a path to healing, and EMDR therapy might just be the guiding light you've been searching for. The Basics of EMDR Therapy and How it Works in the Brain Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, is a scientifically validated approach designed to help individuals process distressing memories and alleviate all of the emotional and physiological responses associated with them. EMDR works on the premise that unprocessed memories contribute to psychological distress, and by facilitating the brain's natural healing process, individuals can adapt their mindset and perspective and achieve emotional relief. When traumatic experiences occur, the brain may struggle to process the memories properly, leading to emotional and cognitive disturbances that will resurface when triggered throughout one’s life. EMDR's unique approach involves bilateral stimulation which mirrors the brain's natural processing mechanisms during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. This bilateral stimulation activates both hemispheres of the brain, facilitating the reprocessing of memories. Through a series of structured phases, EMDR allows individuals to access and process distressing memories, transforming their emotional impact. Essentially, EMDR helps the brain reorganize and integrate these memories into a more adaptive and less distressing form. EMDR for Self-Confidence and Perfectionism Now, let's explore how EMDR specifically addresses issues related to self-confidence and perfectionism. Perfectionism often stems from deeply rooted beliefs formed during childhood, where unrealistic standards were set or trauma occurred. We learn what is expected of us in this world from the people around us. So imagine for a second that as a child your parents were heavily concerned with the outward appearance of the family. You may have learned early on that your appearance and the opinions and judgments of others play a huge role in whether or not you received the acceptance, approval and love from your parents. Or maybe it was your grades and achievement in school that became the focal point. You did well enough to be moved to an advanced class, but now there is a looming expectation put on you by the school and your parents to perform, perform, perform otherwise you’re a FAILURE. There are so many scenarios that lead to the development of perfectionism. EMDR works in the following ways to help you identify and reprocess your underlying memories and beliefs, allowing you to break free from the chains of perfectionism. Identification of Core Beliefs: EMDR sessions guide you to pinpoint the core negative beliefs associated with perfectionism and low self-confidence. These beliefs often originate from past experiences, contributing to the ongoing struggle with unrealistic standards. Reprocessing Traumatic Memories: Traumatic memories from childhood may be influencing your current self-perception. EMDR provides a safe and structured environment to revisit these memories, helping you process and reframe them. By doing so, the emotional charge linked to these memories diminishes, empowering you to challenge and change the negative beliefs. Building Positive Cognitions: EMDR doesn't just focus on resolving past traumas; it also emphasizes building positive self-perceptions and beliefs. Through the therapeutic process, you'll work towards cultivating healthier, more adaptive cognitions, fostering self-confidence and a more realistic sense of self-worth. EMDR Therapy Can Help You Gain Peace & Self-Acceptance Embarking on a journey towards healing and self-discovery takes courage, and you've already demonstrated that by considering EMDR therapy. Remember, you don't have to navigate this path alone. As a licensed holistic mental health therapist, I specialize in helping individuals like you break free from anxiety, perfectionism, and childhood trauma. In embracing EMDR therapy, you're choosing a scientifically proven method that has brought profound transformations to countless lives. The power to rewrite your narrative, boost your self-confidence, and overcome perfectionism lies within the therapeutic journey. If this blog has resonated with you, and you're ready to take the next step towards a life of greater peace and self-acceptance, I invite you to contact me for your complimentary consultation at 954.391.5305. I provide counseling for adults at our beautiful Coral Springs offices and online therapy through our secure telehealth platform for those who reside in the state of Florida. For more information about my services, click here. Individual therapy sessions tailored to your unique needs can be the key to unlocking the doors that lead to healing. Don't let anxiety and perfectionism hold you back any longer; take charge of your well-being today. Call me and let's embark on this transformative journey together.

The term “boundaries” is often used in therapeutic settings but has become much more common in everyday language over the years. It is a term that is now often the center of self-care. Setting boundaries doesn’t just mean cutting someone negative off, it means prioritizing your own emotional and mental needs in a relationship dynamic that can often be seen as draining or overwhelming. Setting healthy boundaries can be viewed as creating space from someone, but the importance and power of setting boundaries goes beyond that. Without setting healthy boundaries, you may find yourself in a codependent or even toxic relationship. Boundaries are beneficial in romantic relationships, familial relationships, friendships, and even workplace relationships. Different Types of Boundaries: Physical: Creating safety for your space, body, and physical needs. This can involve how you do or don’t want to be touched, how you interact with others, and the environment you surround yourself with. Emotional: Creating safety for your emotional well-being. This can involve protecting your own feelings and emotions, not people pleasing, having your own thoughts, and not feeling responsible for the emotions of others. Sexual: Creating safety in a sexual environment. This involves consent and open communication about you and/or your partner’s comfort levels. Financial: Creating safety for your own finances and financial resources. This can involve how you make your money, how you spend it, and your right to not give or loan money elsewhere if it isn’t right for you. Spiritual: Creating safety for what you choose to believe in and what serves as guidance for you. This involves being comfortable in your own beliefs and not allowing the judgements or opinions of others to influence these beliefs. Time: Creating safety for how you choose to spend your time. This can involve what you chose to do, when you chose to do it, and with who you choose to do it with. This can be both personal and professional, with an emphasis on not being overworked in your profession and not always feeling obligated to spend time with those in your personal life. Normalize Saying “No” There is often a negative connotation to saying “no.” When it comes to setting healthy boundaries, it is time to challenge this negative connotation and normalize the idea of not always pleasing others. Saying “no” can allow you to create emotional safety and not feel overwhelmed or obligated to put the wants and needs of others above yourself. Doing so takes practice, but the more you allow yourself to say “no” the easier it becomes. This idea can be implemented in any relationship dynamic. The more you implement this practice, the more you allow yourself to gain confidence with your own decision making and decrease the pattern of people pleasing. Benefits of Setting Healthy Boundaries: Without the use of healthy boundaries, people often find themselves in a pattern of people pleasing. This pattern can quickly feel emotionally overwhelming and draining. Prioritizing yourself and your needs isn’t an act of selfishness, but instead an act of self-care. There is often a feeling of empowerment when healthy boundaries are implemented. This empowerment can serve as motivation to continue to prioritize yourself and what is best for your mental health. If someone is not respecting the boundaries you have set, it is time to ask yourself if this is a relationship that is worth continued effort. It is also important to note the act of respecting boundaries set by others. In doing so, you are creating a healthier relationship dynamic and recognizing the needs of others. If you start to feel yourself becoming drained, it is best to take a step back and look at the dynamic of the relationship and decide which boundaries are necessary. When you take the step to set healthy boundaries, you are taking a step to a healthier you! If You Need Additional Support in Setting Healthy Boundaries, Counseling Can Help Counseling is a great resource to help individual adults and couples to set healthy boundaries in life and in their relationships. If this is an area you struggle with, give us a call at 954-391-5305 for your complimentary consultation to discuss how we can help. Alyssa Woolslair provides counseling for adults and couples at our beautiful counseling office in Plantation, Florida as well as online therapy for those who reside in Florida. For more information about her services, click here.

Many kids begin to feel insecure about their bodies and how they look in elementary school. Girls who are pretty and slender will have much more of a chance of being accepted into social groups. It will be more of a challenge to be accepted if the girl is overweight and not as pretty. Boys who are good looking, strong, and athletic will also be more likely to be accepted than those who are not. This reality can have a major impact on how these children view themselves as adults. There has been a lot written and talked about regarding the overwhelming pressure women feel in our culture to look a certain way. As a result, more and more women are learning to accept and love themselves for who they are, not for how they look. Unfortunately, there has not been enough attention and awareness brought to men who struggle with body image issues. There has been some excellent literature written and research done by Dr. Harrison G. Pope regarding men who struggle with body image issues and how it affects their lives. His book, “The Adonis Complex” will be extremely helpful to any man who is struggling with this issue. But still, there is a lack of awareness and understanding of just how much a man can be affected from not feeling good about how he looks. More and more people are beginning to exercise today. Probably more than ever before. Exercise is a great thing. We can build stronger, leaner, and healthier bodies that include a stronger heart and a better cardiovascular system. It can have a significant positive impact on our mental and emotional health along with our self-esteem (how we feel about ourselves). However, more is not always better. When Body Image Becomes an Issue for Men… Some men started exercising because they felt they were too thin, too heavy, or not muscular enough. It’s certainly ok and beneficial to work toward looking and feeling the best that we can. It becomes a problem when our whole identity and self-worth as a person is dependent on how we look. For many men who struggle with body image issues their whole life and purpose is centered around building a better and better body and will pursue that at any cost, including using performance enhancing drugs. It is more and more common for young men and teenagers to begin buying over the counter supplements that claim to enhance their ability to get the results they want. They soon realize that other boys their age are making much better gains and they are not coming from the supplements you can buy at the local supplement store. Various forms of steroids are extremely common and easily obtainable today. They greatly enhance a man’s physique and are becoming more and more acceptable in today’s society. However, there is a downside to using them. They are known to cause aggression, anxiety, and depression and have been linked to heart disease and other serious illnesses. The unresolved issues of not feeling good enough will begin to surface whenever they see or perceive themselves as starting to lose the gains they made from steroids when they try to stop using them. Their identity that is centered so much around how they look will feel diminished in some way. The ego, or false self, needs to have an identity to survive. They become very anxious and dysfunctional when it feels like they are losing that identity. The anxiety can feel overwhelming and will likely push the individual back to using steroids again. In essence, it creates a mental trap that they don’t feel they can get out of. Men and Eating Disorders Although it is not as common as with women, men can also develop eating disorders as a result of not feeling good enough about their bodies. They can become overly focused with how food makes their bodies look. For some men, it can consume their whole life becoming an obsession that they can’t stop thinking about. More extreme cases can lead to anorexia and bulimia which are much more serious issues. What is the solution? How can men learn to truly be grateful and at peace with their bodies? The first step is to identify and look at the negative messages they received from others regarding their bodies. They may have believed those messages then but they don’t have to continue believing them now. They can create their own beliefs about who they are. Realizing that others don’t have the power to define them. Only they themselves can do that. Next, look at the self-messages they tell themselves about their bodies. Are they accepting and loving toward themselves or are they judgmental and critical of their bodies? Make a choice to only have positive thoughts about yourself. Always lift yourself up, never tearing yourself down with negative thoughts. Realize that you are the creator of your reality and that happens with the thoughts you choose to have. Make a choice to never give anyone the power again to define you as a person. Also, understand and know that we are more than just our bodies. That knowing of who we truly are will vary depending on how deeply each individual is willing and wanting to explore it. Begin to feel your feelings again. Work through any unresolved feelings you might have from the past that might be blocking you from truly being happy with who you are. Many men on this path of recovery have also become aware of their need and desire to begin exploring their own spirituality and what that means for them. Along the way, they begin to realize that they really are more than just their bodies and that there is a whole other aspect/dimension to who they are. Today is the day where you can begin to feel good about who you are each and every day and for the rest of your life! Be the best person you can be in all areas of your life. Build your bodies in a healthy way to their fullest potential if you are inclined to do so. Always remembering that we are much, much more than just our bodies. If you are ready to reclaim your life from poor body image, low self-esteem, disordered eating or eating disorders, reach out to discuss how we can help. Give us a call at 954-391-5305 for your complimentary consultation. For more information about David Schlagter, LCSW and his approach to working with men, women, couples and families, click here. David provides counseling in our beautiful Coral Springs office and online therapy via our secure telehealth platform.

Change happens to all of us. Whether it’s your boss asking you to return-to-office full-time or you are being laid off from your job, the accompanying emotions and responsibilities can be difficult to cope with. No matter the magnitude of the change, its impact on your life may be significant. Even “positive” changes can create an intense emotional experience and create stress simply due to the nature of change. Therefore, it is not uncommon for people to struggle with change. Some common issues related to change include anxiety, depression, self-isolation, issues with attention and focus, or difficulties maintaining healthy relationships. Change may cause a disruption in your life that is emotionally challenging, but does not lead to prolonged negative impact on your life. Coping with change is possible! If you find yourself struggling to cope with change in your life, the following tips can help assimilate you to your new reality. Practice Acceptance: Accepting change is arguably the most important and possibly the most difficult part of coping with it. Acceptance is not a one-time thing and instead it requires consistent practice. This repeated commitment to accepting your circumstances allows that acceptance to be felt in your mind, your heart and your body. Now, acceptance does not mean that you approve of what you are experiencing or even that you will not try to change anything in the future. Instead it is a way of releasing painful emotions that may be tied to change, which prohibits you from living a meaningful life despite the changes. The founder of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Marsha Linenhan, stated, “Radical acceptance doesn’t mean that you don’t try to change anything”. In fact, acceptance is necessary in order to make productive changes of your own! Cultivate a Mindset of Willingness: When we can accept our circumstances and the burden of holding negative emotions about them, we can begin to implement strategies in our life that improve its quality in lieu of our change. Willingness is a mindset characterized by excitement to engage in a task needed to reach a goal. While trying new things may be intimidating, the willingness with which we approach them rivals the importance of the skill we have, the support we have or the conditions we have to do them in. These are factors that you cannot control. What you do have agency over is your mindset and one of willingness can improve the chances of being successful in your endeavors. It’s not uncommon to hear that clients have the assumption that “everything has changed” after a major life event. Generalization is a common thinking error, and can create blind spots in our ability to create a sense of normalcy or improve quality of life post-change. To combat this generalization try the following activity: Journal about what your life would look like at this point in time if the change never occurred. Specifically, think about what you would be doing at work, for fun, with friends or even for travel. Do the same journaling prompt for your life at present. Reflect on the following questions: How do these lists differ? How are they the same? Do some of these things still feel important after the change? If so, is there a way you can still incorporate them into your life? Journaling reflections like this enhance your ability to think objectively during a time where emotional thinking may lead to thinking errors. Reviewing this with a friend or therapist can be helpful too! Commitment to Yourself: When life gets busy it’s not uncommon for people to become lax about their boundaries, goals and self-care. This laxity usually goes unnoticed until being forced into awareness by something like a change in schedule, relationships, work or finances.The period of time immediately following a change can be a useful time to reaffirm your commitment to yourself and your well-being. Completing a values inventory can be a useful way to reacquaint yourself with what is important to you and your life so that you can begin to engage in activities that support those values. Give yourself permission to take care of yourself and reinvest time into a self-care practice that has fallen to the wayside. Be intentional about your sleep habits. Although some changes may prohibit you from this, doing what you can to improve your sleep can improve your tolerance for stress and decrease the severity of negative emotional responses. If you are looking for tips on getting a good night of sleep, see this article for suggestions. Coping with Change is Possible: For some, the stress from a significant life change creates an emotional response that is not lessened with time and interferes with their life. This is known as an Adjustment Disorder and is a condition which therapy can help treat. Not all difficulties with change develop into an Adjustment Disorder with proper care and intervention. A trusted counselor can help guide you through this challenging time by building skills, resiliency and lasting methods for overcoming the negative impact of change. If you’re ready to address your struggle with change or ready to take on your next life transition,  I invite you to contact me for a complimentary consultation at 954-391-5305 so we can discuss how I can help. I provide counseling for adults in our beautiful Fort Lauderdale office  as well as online therapy  via our secure telehealth platform. For more information about my approach or my services, click here.

Anxiety, a familiar yet often unwelcome companion, can manifest in various ways, from mild unease to debilitating panic. While everyone experiences anxiety at some point, for many, it becomes a recurring challenge that impacts daily life. Coping with anxiety is a journey, and seeking the guidance of a therapist can be a transformative decision. Here's why therapy with a mental health professional can be a gamechanger in your battle against anxiety. Understanding Anxiety: Before diving into the benefits of therapy, it's essential to understand anxiety. At its core, anxiety is a natural response to potential threats or stressors. However, when these feelings become chronic or disproportionate to the situation, they can interfere with daily activities, relationships, and overall well-being. Why Therapy Can Be a Gamechanger: 1. Personalized Strategies & Solutions: While there's a plethora of general advice available on managing anxiety, what works for one person might not work for another. A therapist can provide tailored strategies and effective solutions based on your unique experiences, triggers, and coping mechanisms. 2. Safe Space to Express: Therapy offers a confidential environment where you can express your fears, concerns, and feelings without judgment. This cathartic process can be immensely relieving and is often the first step towards healing. 3. Unearth Underlying Causes: Anxiety often has deeper roots that might not be immediately apparent. A therapist can help you delve into past traumas, suppressed emotions, or unresolved conflicts that might be fueling your anxiety. Oftentimes anxiety comes with an important message and therapy can help you understand why the anxiety is happening and what you can do to alleviate it. 4. Skill Development: Therapists can equip you with essential skills to manage anxiety. This includes techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps in recognizing and challenging negative thought patterns, or mindfulness practices that anchor you to the present moment. 5. Accountability & Structure: Regular therapy sessions provide ongoing accountability, support and structure, ensuring you dedicate time to address and manage the anxiety. Moreover, knowing that someone is helping you to track your progress can motivate you to implement coping strategies consistently. 6. Medication Guidance: For some, medication can be beneficial in managing anxiety. A therapist, especially in collaboration with a psychiatric medication provider, can provide insights into the potential benefits and side effects, ensuring you make informed decisions. 7. Holistic Healing: Beyond just addressing the symptoms, therapy aims for holistic healing. This means not only managing the immediate feelings of anxiety but also building resilience, improving self-esteem, and enhancing overall emotional well-being. Taking the First Step: If you're considering therapy, taking the first step can be daunting. It's essential to remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Research potential therapists, consider different therapeutic approaches, and trust your instincts. The right therapist will make you feel understood, supported, and empowered. Therapy for Anxiety Can Help! In conclusion, while coping with anxiety is a personal journey, you don't have to walk the path alone. An anxiety therapist/psychologist can be your guide, sounding board, and ally, providing you with the tools and insights to navigate the challenges of anxiety. As you embark on this transformative journey, remember that every step, no matter how small, is a move towards a calmer, more centered you. If you’re ready to see how therapy can help you overcome worry, anxiety, panic attacks or more, give us a call at 954-391-5305 for your complimentary consultation. We provide counseling for anxiety for kids, teens, adults, couples and families in Plantation, Coral Springs, and Fort Lauderdale. We also offer online counseling for anxiety for those who reside in Florida via our secure telehealth platform. We look forward to speaking with you to discuss how we can help!