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About My Services
I am a psychotherapist and life coach with more than 30 years in counseling and education. I love working with clients from adolescence to retirement and beyond, providing individual and couples counseling/life coaching in a comfortable atmosphere of the office or virtual counseling.
During Covid-19...
For most of us, this is a tough time: we don't much care for the unknown and we like feeling in control. Yikes! It doesn't have to be a recipe for disaster; this can be a time to reflect and be well. Here are a few tips that have helped many through uncertainty:
1. Set up a schedule for each day and stick to it. Try not to rely on your motivation, as it waxes and wanes when we are at home: so many distractions!!
2. Make a point to mindfully meditate or pray each day. Mindfulness teaches us that just FEELING the feelings instead of distracting ourselves from them is healthy and helpful. Right now, “it’s ok to not be ok” and we know that “this too shall pass”. Apps like Calm or Headspace, or for Christians, I like Abide, and there is so much on YouTube for free. Explore!
3. Make a list of the things that you would love to do but don’t usually have time to do. This can be anything from learning a new skill or art form --play the guitar or paint (Bob Ross, anyone?) to learning a new language to cleaning out a closet to blogging to writing letters to taking virtual tours to….anything! Choose one thing to do for yourself each day.
4. Keep in touch with friends and family virtually –there are so many platforms to do this: Zoom, HouseParty, Facetime, etc…
5. Get healthy: get plenty of sleep, exercise and good nutrition with fruits and veggies and lots of hot liquids if you’re feeling unwell.
6. Remember to BREATHE!!!!! Take deep belly breaths from your diaphragm – inhale slowly 4 counts, hold for 4 and then exhale 6 counts, using a mantra such as “peace” or “calm”.
7. Show grace and compassion and practice gratitude: forgive yourself and others! This will free you up for so much joy!
I have curated a few articles on reducing anxiety during these challenging times:
https://psychcentral.com/blog/5-simple-tips-to-reduce-anxiety-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/vitality/202003/coping-anxiety-during-the-covid-19-crisis
Great article on how mindfulness aids children and adults:
https://childmind.org/article/how-mindfulness-can-help-during-covid-19/
Like reading? Here are the 100 books from the Great American Read:
https://dv2oc5tyj18yr.cloudfront.net/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/2018/05/TGAR_BookChecklist.pdf
Specialties
Anxiety
Depression
Self-esteem
Adolescent issues
Relationship /Marriage counseling
Wellness and life coaching
Grief
Counseling Approaches
Eclectic counseling or coaching approaches employed as needed, not limited to:
Positive Psychology
Mindfulness
CBT: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
DBT: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy