A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

The World Health Organization, in an effort to identify health issues in need of reform around the globe, has recently released a report on the state of women’s health, particularly in poor and middle-income countries. Citing broad instances of medical health issues such as death during childbirth, the report also notes that stigmas against women participating in mental health services results in a lowered ability of women to take good care of themselves and of their families. The report is hoped to contribute to global efforts to bring mental health accessibility to a larger audience and to focus on the particular needs of women.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist St. Louis Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

While the links between the occurrences of sexual activity and overall mental health and well-being have been widely documented among men, especially within the context of examining treatments for erectile dysfunction, studies focusing on the role of sexual satisfaction have been more difficult to perform. Citing the fact that the number of sexual events experienced by a woman does not indicate her level of sexual satisfaction at a comparable rate with those of men, the researchers behind a recent study performed at Monash University in Australia suggest that self-reporting measures are far more accurate. The research team set out to establish the relationship between sexual satisfaction, age, and well-being among women in the local Australian community, and recruited women who self-identified as being either sexually satisfied or dissatisfied, and who were also asked questions to determine whether they were pre- or post-menopausal.

With a sizable study group, the researchers compared collected from the women, including the number of sexual events experienced each month (the minimum rate for inclusion in the study was two), and whether a partner had been present, along with further questions about the quality of experience and self-perceived well-being. The researchers found that in general, those women of an older age group were found to have more positive associations between sexual satisfaction and overall well-being than were younger women, and the results also suggested that those women who perceived themselves as being sexually satisfied were also more likely to experience a high degree of well-being, in comparison to participants who identified as sexually dissatisfied. Read the rest of this entry

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Newport Beach Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

There have been many studies and proposed programs suggesting that the incorporation of exercise into one’s regular routing can go a long way towards both warding off depression and treating it in those already exhibiting symptoms. The positive effects of exercise on mental health are well-documented, but the precise ways in which physical activity can aid in the fight against depression may not always be exactly clear. It is for this reason that a study conducted at the University of Nottingham in the UK has been especially well-received. The study worked with a selection of women indicated for feelings of depression, and chose a certain number to participate in regular exercise treatment routines, while the study group was introduced to a supportive regimen of counseling and exercise.

The study was in part established based on the notion that standard gym exercise routines often fail to produce positive results for those with depression because of the relative isolation of the activity. To counteract this isolation, the study group was given extensive motivational counseling sessions before each period of physical activity, and participants took part in low-impact exercise on treadmills in communicative, supportive groups. Emotional support was on-hand throughout the exercising segments to allow for extra encouragement and help as needed. Read the rest of this entry

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Longwood Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

Working through feelings of depression can be a significant challenge at any point of life, but women who become pregnant may experience additional difficulty in the face of numerous restrictions regarding traditional treatment. As a number of psychiatric medications indicated for feelings of depression are not recommended for use during pregnancy, suggests a recently released review of published literature on the topic, psychotherapy may present a more sound and comfortable treatment choice for pregnant women. Depressed mothers who seek out psychotherapy may be able to help their babies lead more prosperous and healthy lives in their first years.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Louisville Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Headline

Traditionally, adolescence is one of the most turbulent periods in a woman’s life; though rich in the opportunity for great experiences, the time can also be difficult as girls work through self-image and social issues that can sometimes take a heavy toll on well-being. Over the past year, a New Jersey private practice social worker has been helping her young female patients gain a valuable tool in this volatile period: the group therapy dynamic. While group therapy has largely been focused on topical issues in recent years, “Sistertalk” focuses on the particular needs of adolescent girls, helping them explore and understand common challenges and provide confidential support that is proving to make an extraordinary difference in terms of self-esteem and confidence. As the number of young adults seeking therapy increases, such programs may become more widely developed and accepted.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Pleasant Hill Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Update

The Detroit Free Press recently published an article reporting that former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was experiencing significant hair loss as a result of the extreme stress she has endured over the past several months. Rallying interest in the issue, the article seeks out the wisdom of a prominent dermatologist to explain the links between stress and the loss of hair in women. While such events can occur in men, as well, reported instances of stress-related hair loss are more often brought to the fore by females.

The dermatologist notes that hair follicles in a normal, “growing” state can become shocked during highly stressful events, such as a death in the family or giving birth, causing the hair to fall out around three months later. In fact, the dermatologist notes that clients who report a sudden loss of a significant amount of hair are best addressed with the question as to what was happening in their life three months previous. While in most cases the hair is able to simply grow back, the personal care and beauty concern involved in thinning hair may lead more women to take on a greater responsibility to reduce stress in their lives.

As part of this effort, women may make a greater effort to seek the professional services afforded through psychotherapy, particularly during and after stressful events, whether it’s a new step in life or the ending of another, or even the resignation of a major political office. Read the rest of this entry

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Hollywood Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

Conflicts, whether in the form of overt fights, hidden resentments, or other issues common in marriages, can be strong indicators for a range of mental health concerns, including depression. Studying the medical as well as the psychological effects of difficult marriages, a study conducted at the University of Utah has sought to discern differences between how men and women react. After taking measurements from blood pressure to waist circumferences, the research team presented participants with an inventory of questions addressing their feelings about their marriages. The study found that while both sexes are more depressed when in difficult marriages, women show a significant increase in heart disease risk factors.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Atlanta Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary

The rates of anti-depression and related pharmaceuticals is on the rise, as psychotherapists strive to reach clients with deep and meaningful change many, especially those in the medical establishment, choose to treat issues solely with medications. Recently, a research team in Spain sought to discover the relationship between medication use and established family dysfunction. While the team’s research did not return any significant correlation between dysfunctional family relationships and medication use, it did reveal that an alarming 24% of Spain’s women take anti-depressants, and that over 30% take tranquilizers. Though the mental health professions are gaining popularity and credibility in Spain as in many other parts of the world, a clear need for more quality psychotherapeutic care exists.

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Lafayette Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

A GoodTherapy.org News Update

The prevalence of post-partum depression, or PPD, may seem out of place in a society that seems to unabashedly celebrate the processes of giving birth and becoming a mother. Yet many women experience PPD, which is widely recognized as having an adverse effect on infants as well as the relationship between a mother and her child. With this potential for long-term consequences in family relations in mind, a team of researchers with the Boston University School of Social Work set out to examine the efficacy and methodological details of modern therapies in the field. The study found that overwhelmingly, the integration of the infants themselves in therapy sessions was hailed as resulting in higher success rates and more deeply reaching change.

The researchers based their work on interviews with a panel of mental health professionals, comprised of an educator, psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers, all of whom had twenty or more years’ worth of experience working with PPD patients. The interviewees described the ability of integrative therapies to help anchor the client in the present and create avenues of communication and understanding between a mother and her baby. Read the rest of this entry

© Copyright 2009 by http://www.GoodTherapy.org Therapist Tucson Bureau - All Rights Reserved.

By Ruth Subrin, M.A. MFT-AT

Click here to contact Ruth and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

In the year 2011 the first wave of the 76 million baby-boomers will turn 65. Our changing demographics, fueled by increased longevity and the aging of baby-boomers creates the basis for a social transformation heretofore unknown in America.

Because of our increased life expectancy, and better health care, aging and concepts of middle age means something very different today to women than it did to previous generations. It is a time of spiritual and psychological potentials. It is a time when a woman becomes a wise woman or crone.

There can be rewards of growing older that include self determination, freedom of choice, joys of relationships, meaningful work and interests, social support, spirituality, and self-understanding. The benefits of these rewards also include emotional balance, self-assurance, inner directedness, self-acceptance, and acceptance of one’s current life. Read the rest of this entry