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BACK TO SCHOOL *cue instant anxiety* Whether you’re 5, 12, 18, or 24 years old, that week before school starts always makes most of us …

Continue reading “Normalizing Back to School Anxiety”

Most of us know what back to school means. Some of us went back to school as kids. Some of us had kids that went …

Continue reading “Deciding to Go Back to School”

Summer is coming to an end. School is right around the corner, as students will be going back to in-person learning. This past year school …

Continue reading “Going Back to School”

Our kids’ behavior is the difference between a great day and a “kill me now” day. It can be overwhelming when your kids misbehave more …

Continue reading “What I Do To Help My Kids Behave”

By Katheryne Puentes, LMHC Parenting is NOT an easy job. Being a parent involves 100% attention to how they interact with their children and their …

Continue reading “Parenting”

As a parent of three 30+-year-olds, I want to offer that parenting never ends. Parents of newborns and toddlers are rolling their eyes right about …

Continue reading “Purposeful Parenting from an Empty Nester”

When I learned this month’s blog theme is “Purposeful Parenting,” I thought I could offer a slightly unique perspective: that of a first-time newborn parent. …

Continue reading “Purposeful Parenting as a New Mom”

I celebrate you. I celebrate all the men in the world.  Men who are loyal, kind, and true. Men who have protected us and loved …

Continue reading “Men…Beautiful, Beautiful Men!”

Low testosterone is one of the most overlooked causes of depression and other serious mood disorders in males. So much so that when I see …

Continue reading “Let’s talk about Low-T, but really, let’s talk about it.”

Here we are at some point of the pandemic, not knowing if it’s the middle, the end, or the new norm. It’s no wonder stress levels …

Continue reading “Anxiety, Stress and Mental Health”

BY KATHERYNE PUENTES, LMHC What is the true meaning of mental health, and why are so many individuals scared to visit a therapist? With the …

Continue reading “What is the Meaning of “Mental Health?””

Self-talk is the dialogue inside your head. It is your inner voice that tells you what you can and cannot do. It is your inner …

Continue reading “Who do I think I’m talking to like that? ME?”

I had the opportunity to advise a colleague on how to terminate therapy for one of her clients. This particular case was sensitive and complex. …

Continue reading “Dealing With Client Termination in Therapy”

Eli Bravo https://www.linkedin.com/in/elibravooficial/ As if it was a miracle pill or a magic potion, it is common in books, webinars, and social media posts the …

Continue reading “Living in the Present for a Better Future”

6:30 AM. I am sitting in front of the candle and trying to let the thoughts pass so I can be in the present moment. …

Continue reading “Don’t Get in Your Own Way of Happiness”

What comes to mind when you think of health? For most, it’s the yearly visit to your primary doctor, gynecologist, or dentist. What comes to …

Continue reading “Umbrella of Health”

By Lucia Fernandez, Director, LMFT and Natalie Ortega, Attorney and Teacher   My friend, Natalie Ortega, and I have had many conversations on spirituality. She …

Continue reading “Notes to Self: Two Books Sounding Off Loudly”

Do you aspire to be “mindful” tangibly and practically? Ask yourself these four questions.  It will give you a well-grounded approach to your day: 1) …

Continue reading “Mindfulness Aspirations?”

Creating an awareness of the present moment is one of the basic principles of mindfulness and mindful living. We tend to live our lives and …

Continue reading “Mindful Pause”

When I hear the word “mindful,” I immediately think of mindfulness — the practice of being present and being aware by sitting still and focusing …

Continue reading “Mindful Living”

No, I’m not talking about making your hot co-worker or classmate fall in love with you. I’m talking about making the MOST special person in …

Continue reading “How To Make That Special Someone, Fall In Love With You”

BY: MERIEM OUCHAKA, LMHC Self-love is often overlooked. We assume it’s a given. Do you love, like, and respect yourself? What is the meaning of …

Continue reading “Self Love”

Almost a year into the pandemic and those of us who are healthy and have survived it, are so very blessed. So many have passed …

Continue reading “Loving Me=Loving You”

Many times I discuss with clients developing a self-care routine.  You would be surprised how many people have difficulty with this. When describing themselves or …

Continue reading “Mind, Body and Spirit”

I’ve always liked working with the younger population (teens and 20s), but never quite knew why. Maybe it’s because I can relate to them pretty …

Continue reading “Teens and 20s – A Time for Self-Improvement”

Today we come together as it’s been done since the first inauguration when President George Washington took the first oath in April 1789.  Even after …

Continue reading “We the People”

Why no whining? These times have been sad, scary, hard, and uncertain. They’ve been quiet and loud and new and somehow…same ‘ole same ‘ole. Certainly, …

Continue reading “No Whining”

Gratitude and self-appreciation are not qualities that come naturally to the majority of us. In therapy, we often recommend incorporating a gratitude practice into a …

Continue reading “Don’t Downplay Your Strengths: Here Are 5 Reasons Why”

As a Mental Health Counselor, I’m often on the receiving end of questions such as, “How do you listen to people’s problems all day and …

Continue reading “Healer Heal Thyself”

I am a millennial psychiatrist. I grew up in the era of smartphones filled with apps that have helped me stay connected all hours of …

Continue reading “Psychiatrist Unfiltered: 5 Things Learned Deleting Social Media”

When you hear “self-improvement,” what comes to mind?  Self-improvement can mean so many different things for each of us.  One thing all definitions should have in common is “the …

Continue reading “Don’t Leave “Self” Out of Self-Improvement”

To me, September has always marked the beginning of a new year, even more so than January. Maybe it’s because it signals the end of …

Continue reading “Rosh Hashana 2020”

Many of us have anxiety levels that are higher than usual on any given day in 2020. Things aren’t where we’d want them to be. …

Continue reading “You Need To Calm Down. You’re Being Too Loud”

I have to admit, I love memes and get a lot of enjoyment from them. Pro-therapy memes? Even better! (By the way, I love that …

Continue reading “Self-Improvement and Mental Health”

How many of us struggle to be perfect parents?  There are so many levels of fear and uncertainty when it comes to raising little humans.  …

Continue reading “Parenting Style From My House to Yours”

It seems that every time we turn on the TV or listen to the news, all we hear is negative activities going on in the …

Continue reading “Teaching Respect to Children”

Erika Fernandez De Castro A little over a year ago, I attended a training on the topic of Infant Mental Health. Prior to the training, …

Continue reading “Infant Mental Health – It Starts on Day 1”

As the world begins to move into this “new normal” post-COVID 19 quarantine world – I cannot help but wonder what our lives and realities …

Continue reading “Don’t Worry Be Happy”

The world is a very uncertain place right now. There is less predictability about basic life issues such as employment, education, food, and shelter. It is a …

Continue reading “Creating Certainty in Uncertain Times”

I remember almost four years ago, I was making the decision on leaving an agency that I was involved with for over 15-years. I had …

Continue reading “Creating Goals and the Fear of Falling Down”

I’m a guy’s guy. A Modern Man’s – Man. Rough around the edges, not afraid to get dirty, a fan of grit, and hard work. …

Continue reading “Modern Man’s – Man”

Congratulations! You made it to the end of May, AKA Mental Health Awareness Month. By now I’m sure you’ve been inundated with plenty of words …

Continue reading “A Review on Mental Health Awareness”

Can you believe it? It’s finally May. We have all been through a lot with the recent COVID-19 situation. One of the topics in the …

Continue reading “I’m Fine, It’s Fine, This is Fine…But Do You Know a Good Therapist?”

Our current situation is tough. There is suffering, fear, uncertainty and so many challenging situations for a lot of people. So, with all that, are …

Continue reading “Joy!”

I woke up this morning feeling much better than I did yesterday. I felt a new sense of relief and control. These feelings elude me …

Continue reading “How to Prevent Anxiety in the Time of Corona”

I just started with a new therapist. I’m not in crisis. I’m high functioning and successful (depending on who you ask). But I like to …

Continue reading “Prevention Mental Health for a Better Future”

These are strange times. The uncertainty is creating stress and fear. For some, there are many strong reactions and emotions. If this is you, here …

Continue reading “Tips on Reducing Anxiety”

Life and Heath Coach As we have recently seen in the last six to seven months, the resurgence of the #Metoo Movement has dragged men …

Continue reading “#Metoo Movement – the new feminism?”

As much as we want to equate men and women, the reality is we are different. Not only physically but mentally and socially. With those …

Continue reading “Understanding a Man’s Process”

Before I became a therapist I heard the term PTSD used and I connected it to the military or war veterans. Also, I didn’t really …

Continue reading “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder — What Is It?”

The definition of peace is freedom from disturbance, quiet and tranquility. Can you think of the last time you had peace? Mindfulness is a practice …

Continue reading “Peace Within No Matter What Throughout”

Today we’re getting so many messages from all avenues of the media reporting on mindful living and that we should “learn to love ourselves.” Sounds …

Continue reading “Loving Yourself Leads to a Balanced, Happy Life”

You’ve had mindful moments. You’ve already practiced mindfulness. You just don’t realize it. And you don’t realize it because you were just BEING, and not …

Continue reading “Slow Down, Tune in, Go with the Flow”

  Love is a catch-all word that people use and we seem to think it means the same to you as it does to me. …

Continue reading “Your Love is Different”

Over the years, I have been given the incredible opportunity to work and study one of life’s most elusive and complex topics: Love. Through my …

Continue reading “Love: The Solution to Most of Your Problems”

Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Doctor in Psychology As we near the end of February, we celebrate love; the love of self and others. Love …

Continue reading “6 Keys to Loving Yourself and Others”

Life and Health Coach On September 25, 2017 at 8:00 A.M., while in my car, on my way to my 13 year old niece’s Junior …

Continue reading “When Life Throws You Lemons…”

Contrary to the popular societal belief that defines intimacy as a sense of physical and emotional closeness and connection with another human being, I have …

Continue reading “Healing through Intimacy”

  “Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers, Remember when you’re talkin’ to the man upstairs, That just because he doesn’t answer doesn’t mean he …

Continue reading “Thankful for Having, and for Not Having”

  Although there may be times in our lives we feel overwhelmed and surrounded by negativity or bad luck, it can sometimes become difficult to …

Continue reading “Be Happy, Be Grateful”

The concept of appreciation and thankfulness is as much an exercise as it is a feeling. Being able to recognize and express what we are …

Continue reading “Gratitude”

As a Health Coach, I’m always asked if I have any self-care tips I can share. However, before sharing anything, I always like to try …

Continue reading “Breathwork: Connecting to the Mind, Body, and Spirit”

Certified EMDR Therapist In light of the recent natural disasters, terrorist attacks and unforeseen attacks on the public by mentally unstable individuals, I’d like to …

Continue reading “Recognizing PTSD Symptoms”

The wind is blowing my hat towards my cheek, and I can hear my children laughing with their daddy. It is an absolutely breathtaking day …

Continue reading “Sometimes I Want to Give up on Parenting”

Attention ALL PARENTS: These stats are scary!  “Bullying” is a problem that affects millions of students and children of all races worldwide. 1 out of 4 …

Continue reading “Stomp Out Bullying”

Many parents ask me: “Am I a good parent?”; “Am I doing it right?” The answer is: “You’re doing the best you can with what …

Continue reading “Parenting: Meeting the Challenge”

  As parents, we often forget that kids are kids and they will learn from their mistakes. The question is, how do we make sure …

Continue reading “Kids – Are They Learning From Their Mistakes?”

There are many recovery survivors whose addictions are rooted in their childhood. These are formative years, so aside from the damage their bodies have sustained, …

Continue reading “Childhood Addiction: Recovery Survivors Break Free”

You hear a lot about the challenges that your child with ADHD faces but what you don’t hear discussed as often is the positive side …

Continue reading “The Positive Side of ADHD”

  February is designated as the month of love. When I think of love, I automatically think of all the people that I love and …

Continue reading “Too much or Too little Self-Esteem: The Balancing Act”

  Valentine’s Day is a remembrance of the love and value we feel for our significant others. As we raise awestruck eyebrows in wonder of …

Continue reading “Love Yourself This Valentine’s Day”

(Note: We thought we would close the month with an extra blog which we feel sums up what it takes to be successful in meeting …

Continue reading “Create Solutions, Not Resolutions”

I am a feminist, in the social movement sense of the word. Additionally, I use elements of the feminist theoretical style in my psychotherapy practice. …

Continue reading “Women’s Rights are Human Rights”

September 11, 2001: 2,996 people killed and over 6,000 injured June 12, 2016: 49 people killed at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, FL  There are many …

Continue reading “The Power of Connection”

What if the “new you” is simply the same you, but more concentrated, more refined? Don’t add. Subtract. (And I don’t mean just pounds – …

Continue reading “Cut It Out”

Symptoms are an essential and continued part of our life. At times, we may experience worry, apprehension, sadness, stress, irritability, and so on. However, we …

Continue reading “Understanding Our Symptoms as a Guide to Personal Growth”

  Self-esteem is the result of being proud of yourself for your actions, and also for the person you are. People with a healthy self-esteem …

Continue reading “How to Build Healthy Self-Esteem”

When we become parents, the love that has been nurtured and handed from generation to generation flourishes, but also all the fears. As caregivers, we …

Continue reading “Parenting – Guide Yourself While Guiding Your Kids”

When someone you love is going through addiction, it is normal to feel powerless, frustrated and concerned. Addiction is a disease that leads the individual …

Continue reading “Family & Addiction”

Did you know that at least 60% of Americans report sleep problems? Did you also know that 40% of adults experience daytime sleepiness that interferes …

Continue reading “Sleep Towards a Better Life”

As the year ends and resolutions start up with the New Year, many singles find themselves hopeful that perhaps this will be the year in …

Continue reading “Singles Relationship Resolution – Food For Thought”

“Eat, drink, and be merry!:” it’s a phrase with biblical origins and a mandate for the holidays, but living up to the quote may not …

Continue reading “"Eat, Drink and Be Merry!"”

Many people that come to therapy are terrified of feeling. They suffer from anxiety and/or depression. When we finally identify the root of their present …

Continue reading “To Feel Or Not to Feel”

September is designated as pain awareness month. With that in mind, it seems fitting that a pain psychologist offer some advice on how to manage …

Continue reading “10 Ways to Manage Symptoms of Chronic Pain”

Communication is key. I find that whether I am working with couples in therapy, consulting on workplace disputes, or helping physicians convey complicated information – …

Continue reading “The Relationship Equation”

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) is a “science-validated approach” that gives people a new perspective and understanding of their past experiences, traumas and phobias.   The …

Continue reading “EMDR – A Brief Overview”

Alcohol is the substance of choice for many underage children. It is estimated that one third of youth begin to drink before the age of …

Continue reading “Your Kids and Alcohol”

The following is a definition of perfectionism: Perfectionism is characterized by a person’s striving for flawlessness and setting excessively high performance standards, accompanied by overly …

Continue reading “Perfectionism Isn’t So Perfect For Us”

Recently, the press has focused on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is the result of an incident where the individual has felt that they, …

Continue reading “Trauma: Do I Suffer From It and Is There Help?”

If you feel awkward or uncomfortable, you are definitely not alone. For most parents, sex topic discussions are one of the most complex and emotionally …

Continue reading “Do You Find It Difficult to Talk About Sex Topics With Your Children?”

Eating disorder awareness is instrumental in the health and well-being of boys/girls and men/women of all ages. In the United States alone, 30 million people …

Continue reading “What is “Eating Disorder” – Signs and Symptoms”

When reflecting about the passing 2014, did you find that the 2014 resolutions did not make it past the first month? Here are some simple …

Continue reading “New Year, New Opportunities…. Same Resolutions?”