Packaging – Healthy & Healing Psychotherapy

Sex

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 04:42:58 +0000

We will be talking about sex. For this important topic as well in all of our discussions, I work from a culturally sensitive and LGBTQI affirmative space. While nothing is off-limits and nothing is taboo to talk about, some people have trouble bringing up the subject of sex. Many couples experiencing a sexual problem are reluctant to talk about them. Sex is a multi faceted issue which can range from sexual dysfunction, such as premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction, low libido, sexual addiction, painful sex, and recovery from sexual assault. Talking about sex in therapy can assist those experiencing problems in overcoming them, in doing so possibly achieving the sex life you desire. When one of you, or as a couple you, realize that a situation in your union is becoming worse and doesn’t ever seem to get any better, lets begin talking about how you would like to see thing change. Counseling gives both of you an opportunity to clarify existing problems, and to find communication and solutions to work through them. It may require one or both partners to change. Individuals and partners can develop skills to use when communicating wants and need so that new or existing relationships can be nurtured.

Parenting

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 04:42:23 +0000

Being a parent can bring about a slew of different issues such as discipline, post partum depression, bedwetting, sibling rivalry, adoption, as well as marriage problems or adjusting to life as a new family unit. Therapy can be for parents, children or the entire clan. Together we can identify if your feelings surrounding these issues come from your family of origin, or new patterns that have formed in your life. We can talk about what your hopes and expectations are for yourself and other members of your family, and how you can create a safe and healthy environment for those you care most about.

Many parents and children face difficulties at some time in the family life cycle. Family Therapy works with families to overcome their challenges and nurture change and development within their relationships and their life. It offers a powerful setting for the disclosure of secrets, emotions and experiences that may be difficult to discuss. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) are the most specifically trained in this type of psychotherapy.

Family counseling provides family members with skills and tools to effectively deal with their issues, implement change and reach their goals. It helps clients communicate and solve problem effectively, build and maintain trust, with the purpose of developing a satisfying relationship among all members of the family.

Addiction

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 04:41:51 +0000

Historically, addiction has been defined with regard solely to psychoactive substances (for example alcohol, tobacco and other drugs) which cross the blood-brain barrier once ingested, temporarily altering the brain chemically. How do drugs work? In the brain, drugs may either intensify or dull your senses, alter your sense of alertness, and sometimes decrease physical pain.

Here are a few warning signs that someone may have a substance abuse problem:

relying on drugs or alcohol to have fun, forget problems, or relax, having blackouts, drinking or using drugs while alone, withdrawing or keeping secrets from friends or family, losing interest in activities that used to be important,performing differently in school (such as grades dropping and frequent absences), building an increased tolerance to alcohol or drugs — gradually needing more and more of the substance to get the same feeling, lying, stealing, or selling stuff to get money for drugs or alcohol.

It’s usually hard for people to recognize they have a problem, which is why friends or family often step in. Quitting is hard to do, and many people find they can’t do it without help. By talking with to someone you trust, you don’t have to deal with your problem and secrets alone.

Today, the term addiction can also be applied to compulsions that are not substance-related. In these kinds of common usages, the term addiction is used to describe a recurring compulsion by an individual to engage in some specific activity, despite harmful consequences, as deemed by the user himself to his individual health, mental state, or social life. Some examples include: gambling, food, sex, pornography, computers, video games, internet, work, exercise, watching TV or certain types of non-pornographic videos, spiritual obsession, pain, cutting and shopping that are also considered psychological and physiological addictive substances or behaviors. These addictions may cause feelings of guilt, shame, fear,hopelessness, failure, rejection, anxiety, or humiliation symptoms associated with, among other medical conditions, depression and epilepsy.

The related concept of drug addiction has many different definitions. Some writers give in fact drug addiction the same meaning as substance dependence, others for example provide drug addiction a narrower meaning which excludes drugs without evidence of tolerance or withdrawal symptoms.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine has this definition for Addiction: Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in the individual pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors. Addiction is characterized by impairment in behavioral control, craving, inability to consistently abstain, and diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships. Like other chronic diseases, addiction involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death.

According to the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), substance dependence is defined as:

“When an individual persists in use of alcohol or other drugs despite problems related to use of the substance, substance dependence may be diagnosed. Compulsive and repetitive use may result in tolerance to the effect of the drug and withdrawal symptoms when use is reduced or stopped. This, along with Substance Abuse are considered Substance Use Disorders….”

Substance dependence can be diagnosed with physiological dependence, evidence of tolerance or withdrawal, or without physiological dependence.

Grief

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 04:41:21 +0000

Grief is a reaction to a major loss. It is most often an unhappy and painful emotion.

People who are grieving may have crying spells, some trouble sleeping, and lack of productivity at work.

Family and friends can offer emotional support during the grieving process. Sometimes outside factors can affect the normal grieving process, and people might need extra support from their community.

Grief may be triggered by the death of a loved one. Grief is the normal response of sorrow, emotion, and confusion that comes from losing someone or something important to you. It is a natural part of life. Grief is a typical reaction to death, breakup or divorce, job loss, a move away from friends anf family, or loss of good health due to illness

Everyone feels grief in their own way. Grief is expressed physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

Physical expressions of grief often include crying and sighing, headaches, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, weakness, fatigue, feelings of heaviness, aches, pains, and other stress-related ailments.
Emotional expressions of grief include feelings of sadness and yearning. But feelings of worry, anxiety, frustration, anger, or guilt are also normal.
Social expressions of grief may include feeling detached from others, isolating yourself from social contact, and behaving in ways that are not normal for you.
Spiritual expressions of grief may include questioning the reason for your loss, the purpose of pain and suffering, the purpose of life, and the meaning of death. After a death, your grieving process is influenced by how you view death.

For example, if you experienced a death, and if the person who died had a chronic illness, the death may have been expected. The end of the person’s suffering might even have come as a relief. If the death was accidental or violent, coming to a stage of acceptance could take longer.

Grief should not be prevented because it is a healthy response to loss. Instead, it should be respected. Those who are grieving should have support to help them through the process.

Grief and loss can affect your overall health. It can lead to depression or excessive alcohol or drug use. Grief that lasts for more than two months and is severe enough to interfere with daily life may be a sign of more serious illness, such as major depression.