What is the Difference between a Psychologist, a Psychotherapist, a Psychiatrist, a Social Worker, a LPC, a LMFT, a LSCW, a PsyD, a PHD………

Quick summary: My intention is to give you a horribly over-simplified definition of all those terms that you may find when you are looking for a mental health worker. I will give you an easy to understand definition of what the difference is between a Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Psychiatrist, Social Worker etc… I must add this disclosure up front – there is no strict definition nor is there any way to accurately state the specific functions of any of these mental health care workers. The specific abilities or specialties of any mental health worker vary greatly depending on their: personality, school they went to, age, education outside of college etc…

Dialectics – open your mind and balance will occur naturally

Quick summary: There are many different definitions of what “dialectic” means and most are relatively related while others are a bit different (the Hindu and the Buddhist dialectics are more similar than the Socratic dialectic). I intend to talk about Dialects as a subject which helps us to experience the idea that all things are both “good” and “bad” at the same time. The purpose of such a discussion is to propose that people whom you disagree with are not wrong per say… they simply hold a different opinion or perspective. I am not trying to create indifference regarding the actions that you or anybody else would take… by accepting dialectics we can free ourselves from the judgments of our minds; which I believe leads us naturally towards engaging in actions that promote systemic harmony

What are 'triggers' – automatic responces

Quick answer – a trigger is anything in the environment (person, place, thing, thought etc) that causes a predictable reaction in a person. Very often people are unaware of their triggers… they might be fully aware of the reaction… but they are not always aware of why they seemingly reacted automatically and without intention. Triggers very often cause an emotional reaction that does not fit the current situation.

Overcoming feelings of Shame | Shame avoided will stay quite the same…

Guilt is mixture of melancholic anxiety that steps from a remorse held for an action engaged in… shame is a deeper depression accompanied by a degree of restless self-hatred which arrives when we cannot accept and forgive our self - when we essentially feel uncomfortable with who we are as opposed to feeling unrest for an action we partook in.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy simplified

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is based on the idea that emotions affect behaviors and thoughts, thoughts affect emotions and behaviors, and behaviors affect emotions and thoughts. To resolve a problem, CBT therapists generally try and promote a change in behavior and thinking patterns with the goals of increasing positive emotions.

Relationship Help | “My partner says that I don’t listen” | how to meet the emotional needs of your partner

I am going to talk to you about what you should be paying attention to and what you should not be paying attention to while trying to become a better listener in your relationship.

The Sex vs. Emotional Intimacy debate | how to make both partners feel loved in a relationship

Whether a person feels loved by receiving sex or by receiving emotional availability the simple truth is that these are simply activities that require very little time and effort if done with consistency, open-mindedness, humility, unconditional love, and complete undivided attention to your partner in the moment of engagement.

Relationship feel stuck? Try pretending that you don’t know everything about your partner

So what is the solution… pretend that you don’t know your partner at all… the more that you can honestly engage in this suggestion the more you will find that you actually don’t know your partner as well as you thought (in a good way).

Mind won’t stop ruminating? Take your shoes off to encourage a state of mindfulness

A state of mindfulness is when you are entirely in the present moment… this means that 100% of your attention is on your sensory, cognitive, and emotional ‘unconditionally accepting’ observations of the moment that is happening (as opposed to being distracted by focusing your attention on the past or the future). To encourage a state of mindfulness I often try and remove anything that would be an obstacle or a distraction from the present… sometimes my shoes are such a distraction… so I remove them and free my feet to observe the present moment.

Drink too much? Try being yourself in your life… choose to stop inhibiting yourself

Many people find themselves drinking significant amounts of alcohol to uninhibited themselves… there is a simple and perhaps strange question that doesn’t seem to be given enough space or attention surrounding our drinking culture… I am not arguing here that there are not indeed some rather positive benefits of overindulgence, and by looking at these positive benefits we can isolate a need that we might have for ourselves.

Overcoming anger | are you angry with another or are you truly angry with your self?

Quick summary: the answer to the title question is almost invariably “both”, but to move forward with the false dichotomy noted I am going to comment on how anger is often an emotion that we feel for ourselves…though we are often quick to blame something external for our feelings. Though the environment might have done something to encourage distasteful feelings, often it is how we reacted - how we chose to defend or not defend ourselves, which are the source of the deeper and perhaps more significant source of anger.

Asking Clients Permission | offering choices to clients in counseling | tips for psychotherapists

Quick summary: What do you do when you think that an intervention will be helpful, but you are worried that the intervention might lead to the client to leave therapy? You can always ask permission before you attempt a new technique or intervention with a client.

Asking for feedback in therapy | collaborative psychotherapy | empowering the client | tips for psychotherapists

Quick Summary: A good technique to put in place as a practicing psychotherapist is to regularly ask your clients for feedback and to offer suggested alternative to what you are offering. the ability of the therapist to adapt to the client’s unique needs is a good predicator of successful therapy outcomes.

30 Common questions psychotherapist should be able to answer succinctly | tips for therapists | how to market your private psychotherapy practice

Quick Summary: I will list some very common question that I have received from clients concerning my psychotherapy practice… therapist should be able to answer these questions succinctly, authentically, intelligently, and with professionalism... your response should get the listener interested and wanting to ask a follow up question. Many people suggest that you have around 3 – 5 seconds of undivided attention to answer questions concerning your business. Practice your answers to the below questions so as to prepare yourself to best market your practice. Remember, anyone that you meet could be a potential referral source… your ability to answer these questions well in all settings will greatly impact your business.

Teenage Drinking | Solving Youth Substance Abuse | restraint theory, individuation, overpopulation, cultural priorities and freewill

Quick summary: I will be offering a brief discussion on what some of the factors are which seem be contributing to excessive teenage drinking in the United States. I will follow each proposal with a solution.

Weight loss – what does that food mean to you? Insight, reflection, and replacement in achieving weight loss goals.

Quick summary: I will discuss why certain foods seem or feel impossible to give up and offer a brief suggestion as to what you can do to overcome such an obstacle. Food (as with many other things in life) often has a symbolic importance which is more influential or otherwise important that the simple tangible object that it seems to be.

Parenting fundamentals – The basics for co-parenting your children

Quick summary: I will very briefly outline what I have found to be the most common ideas shared in the immense amount of parenting literature out there. I will give you ideas to think about as you work with your partner to create a supportive environment for your children.

Why should I focus on my Breathing? – Worry reduction.

Quick summary –Normally breathing is something which is done automatically – you don’t think about breathing it just happens. When you intentionally focus on your breathing you give your mind something to do and this limits your minds ability to worry, which is often the source of your distress. Breathing is happening in the present moment (as opposed to the future or the past) – when breathing is done intentionally our minds must focus on the present moment (and generally speaking there is often nothing to worry about that is occurring at your present location in the present moment).