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The Good Therapy Blog

What is Mindfulness? What is “Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction”?

October 25th, 2010 . 5 Comments

What is “mindfulness?” “Mindfulness is: paying attention, on purpose, in a particular way, in the present moment, with non-judging awareness.” Jon Kabat-Zinn “Mindfulness is being aware of what we’re doing while we’re doing it.” “The root [of mindfulness] is experiencing the itch as well as the urge to... Read More

Mental Health Benefits from Preventative Measures, Too

October 24th, 2010 . 5 Comments

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary As more Americans warm to the value of preventative health care for physical health, it’s a good time to address how prevention benefits mental health as well. In a report published in the American Journal of Public Health, researchers concluded that investments in “mental health promotion and protection” not only complements the treatment (e.g. therapy, counseling,... Read More

Trafficking Survivors Need Psychological Support

October 23rd, 2010 . 5 Comments

Women and girls who have survived trafficking and sexual exploitation exhibit extremely high rates of depression (55%), anxiety (48%) and post traumatic stress (77%), according to a new study looking specifically at these populations. These figures underscore the importance of not just getting victims out of the traumatic situation, but providing ongoing therapy and counseling. Psychological intervention... Read More

Reclaiming Pollyanna: Lessons in Mindfulness

October 23rd, 2010 . 4 Comments

Often, in the context of cultivating mindfulness, I hear people emphasize, “I don’t want to become a Pollyanna.” As someone who grew up loving Pollyanna, the child heroine of American novelist Eleanor Hodgman Porter, I want to clear her name. There is a lot to learn from the character of Pollyanna in our efforts to be mindful. The term “Pollyanna”... Read More

Kids Benefit From Resilience Programs Based On Peer Success

October 23rd, 2010 . 5 Comments

Psychological and emotional resilience have been hot topics among therapists, counselors and social workers, especially in areas affected by trauma. Professor Michelle Slone, of the Department of Psychology at Tel Aviv University, has developed a template for teaching resilience to kids which has the potential for worldwide application. Prof. Slone began by observing kids who were exposed to... Read More

Do Young Kids Get Depression?

October 22nd, 2010 . 4 Comments

It’s possible. Depression among preschool-aged children is something that’s not often talked about or recognized, but these young kids have more dynamic emotional lives than many adults realize. As our understanding of child development continues to evolve, so do the approaches and techniques that child ... Read More

One Life Lost Is Too Many!

October 22nd, 2010 . 5 Comments

Seth Walsh, age 13, Asher Brown, 13, Billy Lucas, 15, Tyler Clementi, 18, and Raymond Chase, 19, all died within the last three weeks as a result of suicide. All of them were bullied or harassed for being perceived as gay. And these are just the names that we know. There are many others out there suffering and struggling through the discovery of their sexuality. Every... Read More

How to Determine When a Relationship Is Over

October 22nd, 2010 . 2 Comments

In therapy, one of the most frequent questions I am asked by people in relationships is, “How do you know when it’s really over? When is it time to give up?” Those are good questions, and they have different answers depending on who you ask. In today’s society, it seems to be easier to quit and move on with a new love than to try... Read More

Family Therapy on the Rise: Especially Helpful with Eating Issues

October 22nd, 2010 . 4 Comments

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary Individual therapy has long been one of the most effective and relied-upon means of treating and overcoming anorexia and other eating issues. Therapy may help to uncover psychological and emotional experiences that are causing, or at least triggering, the dangerous behavior. But many sufferers of eating disorder report no particular triggers. Some personality types seem especially prone to eating issues. And a growing number of children... Read More

Remember – Alcohol, Abuse is a Choice, Not Disease!

October 22nd, 2010 . 6 Comments

John, our favorite Australian correspondent, wrote to note that a lot of people don’t really want to hear that their alcohol abuse is a choice – and so is fixing it. That came as no surprise to us. After all, what better excuse for continuing drinking than having a “disease” over which you are “powerless”? And for parents wanting to avoid dealing with their adult children’s behavior, well, why not decide that it’s a... Read More

Poor Sleep Directly Impacts Mental Health, New Study Finds

October 22nd, 2010 . 3 Comments

It’s not just the experiences you encounter by day that impact how you feel. A study published this week in Australia finds that nighttime plays a big role, too. People with untreated sleep apnea, which prevents adequate rest, had markedly higher rates of depression, stress, and anxiety. A good night’s sleep refreshes us, making us more psychologically... Read More

Relief for Clients Facing Pregnancy-Related Issues and Anxiety

October 21st, 2010 . 3 Comments

Having a baby is a milestone occasion in many women’s lives. It is a time of profound role transition and development of reordering of priorities. For many women, motherhood brings joy, a sense of wonder, and tremendous fulfillment. And, for at least 20% of all child-bearing women, motherhood can bring about significant perinatal mood/anxiety ... Read More

Compassion and Mindfulness: Equally Helpful In Minimizing Stress?

October 21st, 2010 . 1 Comment

A study from Emory University found that practicing compassion meditation significantly helped people control their responses to stressful situations. But the researchers weren’t sure whether meditation in general or compassion in particular played a greater role in the project’s success. So they’re launching the CALM study (Compassion Attention Longitudinal Meditation Study)... Read More

Are Antidepressants Really the Best Choice? The Debate Continues

October 21st, 2010 . 4 Comments

A GoodTherapy.org News Summary Is therapy the best treatment for depression? What about antidepressants? A combination of the two? How about supplemental or alternative therapies including yoga and meditation, or good old fashioned physical exercise? There is no single ‘best practice’ for therapists and counselors helping clients deal with depression. But of the treatment options mentioned here, antidepressants have been far more controversial than the rest, and... Read More