Category: Cultural & Social Issues
The Good Therapy Blog
February 12th, 2011 |
As any experienced addictions counselor can attest, there’s no single reason behind why come people become addicted to drugs and alcohol. Everyone’s story is different, which is why individual psychotherapy is so important to the recovery process. However, overall trends can be telling. Swedish researcher Christina Andersson surveyed a group of women on various time commitments (work, family, household, leisure) as well as life satisfaction... Read More
© Copyright 2011 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Tucson Bureau - All Rights Reserved.
February 11th, 2011 |
A study from the University of Manchester finds that people who have run-ins with the law—including incarceration but also arrest and release—are markedly more likely to commit suicide than those with no criminal encounters. One theory is that personal troubles and difficult circumstances can lead to desperation that can drive individuals both to crime and suicide (both outcomes that may be preventable through personal psychotherapy and community assistance).... Read More
© Copyright 2011 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Long Beach Bureau - All Rights Reserved.
February 11th, 2011 |
A GoodTherapy.org News Summary
Eating disorders and low self-esteem are just two of the problems that have been linked to media exposure for adolescent girls. We often see ourselves not in light of our own strengths and attributes, but in light of the perceived strengths and attributes of others. While counselors and psychotherapists do treat a number of males and younger children for eating disorders, it’s still true that adolescent females are particularly vulnerable to low self-image based on perceived appearance expectations.
Much of the focus around mental health, body image, and self-esteem... Read More
© Copyright 2011 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Louisville Bureau - All Rights Reserved.
February 10th, 2011 |
A GoodTherapy.org News Summary
When children or teens are singled out and mistreated during their early years, it’s not uncommon for the psychological fallout to last well into adulthood. If parents are aware of the problem and find a child psychotherapist or youth counselor for their son or daughter, there’s hope of recovery—after all, the young can be very resilient. But sometimes, children are singled out in ways adults might not expect. Recently, new research has shed light on the experiences of two different groups of youth: deaf and hard of hearing children, and lesbian, gay and... Read More
© Copyright 2011 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Sarasota Bureau - All Rights Reserved.
February 10th, 2011 |
While health care spending has risen dramatically in recent years, spending on mental health care—psychotherapy, family counseling, substance abuse counseling, etc.—hasn’t matched step, according to comparative data just released by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). That’s in part because prescription psychiatric medications are getting more affordable. But the data also indicates that many people aren’t spending money on therapy because it’s not included in their private... Read More
© Copyright 2011 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Anchorage Bureau - All Rights Reserved.
February 9th, 2011 |
Recently, I saw the movie The King’s Speech. A touching, powerful example of how politics and psychology are woven together! It’s also a beautiful portrayal of the hard work and the full commitment it takes in a healing venture – on both sides, that of the therapist and that of the client.
I don’t want to give anything in the movie away…and I don’t need to in order to offer what I have to say. The essence: the Duke of York, later King George VI, stammers; in order to fulfill his job, his potential, and his destiny, he needs the help of a speech therapist. The therapist knows you... Read More
February 8th, 2011 |
Expanding access to counseling and therapy is an aim supported by such values as compassion and social responsibility. But municipalities and governments are governed by budgets, which too often see mental health care in terms of financial, not human, costs. But new research from the University of Sydney may bolster the cause of therapy advocates. This study finds that people who retire early due to depression and other mental illnesses have markedly lower financial resources at their disposal when they retire. Less wealth... Read More
© Copyright 2011 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Houston Bureau - All Rights Reserved.
February 8th, 2011 |
While most of us who marry intend it to be for a lifetime, about half of all first marriages in the United States end in divorce. Divorce ends not only a couple relationship based at least initially on attraction, trust and commitment; it marks the end of a dreamed future as a family. Despite the pain that most divorces bring, the desire to be happily married doesn’t seem to end, since most of those who divorce will eventually remarry.
Marrying at any age or stage of life is a challenge and a good deal of personal work and adjustment, but choosing to marry for the second (or more) time brings... Read More
February 8th, 2011 |
A GoodTherapy.org News Summary
In the past week, reports have been published out of the U.S., the U.K. and Northern Ireland addressing how much money is spent—and should be spent—on mental health coverage such as psychotherapy, family counseling, and substance abuse treatment. Perhaps most notably, Britain has just unveiled a new program called No Health Without Mental Health that affirms mental health as an essential part of health care. The new policy is the result of collaboration... Read More
© Copyright 2011 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Phoenix Bureau - All Rights Reserved.
February 6th, 2011 |
A GoodTherapy.org News Summary
This week, a huge blizzard pummeled a good portion of the nation with snow and ice, shutting down major transportation routes and keeping hundreds of thousands of people home from work and school. Such a blizzard can be a welcomed day off for some. But for others, especially those with depression, being forced to stay home makes them feel especially isolated and lonely. If you are in therapy or counseling... Read More
© Copyright 2011 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Portland Bureau - All Rights Reserved.
February 4th, 2011 |
A GoodTherapy.org News Summary
A study of more than 7,000 adults living in the United Kingdom found that those who identify as gay, lesbian and bisexual are more likely to experience a variety of mental health problems than are their heterosexual peers. The study didn’t measure how many of these individuals sought counseling or therapy for their needs, but non-heterosexual participants self-reported higher rates of depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, alcohol and drug dependence, phobia, and obsessive-compulsive... Read More
© Copyright 2011 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Longmont Bureau - All Rights Reserved.
February 3rd, 2011 |
Stress Management group came around once every 3 months in the adolescent court diversion program at which I spent a number of years as a counselor. Although life skills training was strongly emphasized throughout the program, much repetition was required, and on this day I and my co-facilitator had less than 2 hours to impart some useful information connecting concepts of healthy stress management practices, personal wellbeing and sobriety for a group of boisterous, uproarious and occasionally obnoxiously behaving teens. Dutifully copying much-used handouts and anticipating leading questions to... Read More
February 3rd, 2011 |
A GoodTherapy.org News Summary
When a large disaster strikes, some of those affected recover faster than others. Some may have recovered psychologically for the most part by a few weeks later; others find themselves considerably shaken up, still needing to find a therapist months down the road. Research just published by the Association for Psychological Science (link opens PDF) finds that, although factors like age play some role, the biggest influence on psychological recovery is support. Those who are more economically... Read More
© Copyright 2011 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Seal Beach Bureau - All Rights Reserved.
February 2nd, 2011 |
Whether we know it or not . . . whether we want to know it or not . . . we all have currents of prejudice within our psyches. Although many think of their prejudices as simply “the truth,” others realize that there are some major roots to our prejudice . . . roots that need to be named, known, and worked with.
One of the roots of our prejudices is . . . we are taught to be prejudiced by the active teachings of those with whom we grow up, and also by their modeling. This is poignantly expressed in the song “Carefully Taught” from the Broadway show and the movie, “South Pacific.” Read More
