Jamie Schenk DeWitt, LMFT

Jamie Schenk DeWitt, LMFT Psychotherapist & Marriage and Family Therapist

In the spirit of   I wanted to talk about the practice of keeping a gratitude journal. Studies have shown that writing d...
11/28/2019

In the spirit of I wanted to talk about the practice of keeping a gratitude journal. Studies have shown that writing down a list of what you are grateful for daily increases positivity, improves self esteem, and even helps you sleep better. You can decide how long your list is each day and how much detail you want to go into. After a while, you are left with a collection of inspiring material to look back on when you are in need of a pick-me-up, and all the effort it takes is opening your journal as you sip your morning coffee. A helpful tip can be going out and buying yourself a new, aesthetically pleasing journal so you are excited to write in it every day!

As a marriage and family therapist, I often see that problems within relationships stem from the inability to openly dis...
11/25/2019

As a marriage and family therapist, I often see that problems within relationships stem from the inability to openly discuss ones feelings. Sometimes this comes from the worry of appearing “weak” or “difficult.” Honesty in any relationship is key. Having the courage to talk freely with your partner is not only an imperative tool in having a strong relationship, but proof that the person is strong enough to have tough conversations for the greater good.

When we are experiencing anxiety, it is easy to succumb to those feelings and feel like they are in control of us. Durin...
11/21/2019

When we are experiencing anxiety, it is easy to succumb to those feelings and feel like they are in control of us. During anxious times, affirmations like these can help us to stay in control of our mind. It is always helpful to remember that while we experience anxiety, we AREN’T our anxiety, and it will pass.

While this time of year can be wonderful for many reasons, it can also be anxiety inducing. This article on Psychology T...
11/18/2019

While this time of year can be wonderful for many reasons, it can also be anxiety inducing. This article on Psychology Today reminds us that while these feelings are normal, there are tactics we can take in order to ensure our needs are met while remaining open to our family members. Check out the Link in my bio!

What keeps a lot of people from seeking therapy is the idea that they “aren’t sure if they need it.” You can always go t...
11/14/2019

What keeps a lot of people from seeking therapy is the idea that they “aren’t sure if they need it.” You can always go to therapy if you decide that you want to. Therapy is an ongoing process that can begin at any moment: when things are great, when things are bad, and even when things are just fine. You don’t need to feel bad in order to want to take care of yourself.

I just got back from Esther Perel’s conference In Search of Eros: A multidisciplinary approach to love, lust and commitm...
11/11/2019

I just got back from Esther Perel’s conference In Search of Eros: A multidisciplinary approach to love, lust and commitment. It was an incredible all day conference with therapists and presenters from all around the world learning about how to help clients reconnect and regain a deeper sense of one’s vitality and life force. I’m looking forward to implementing some of the insights and resources we discussed around treating relational challenges with curiosity, energy, and confidence.

We are looking at creamy-but-not-overly-creamy fall pasta on the menu tonight. It’s almost like adult macaroni and chees...
11/07/2019

We are looking at creamy-but-not-overly-creamy fall pasta on the menu tonight. It’s almost like adult macaroni and cheese and has a ton of in-season fall ingredients!

For the sauce:
🥄🥄🥄 3tablespoons butter
💚💚2 cloves garlic
🍃1–2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, minced
🥄🥄🥄3 tablespoons flour
🍾1/2 cup white wine (optional)
🥛2–3 cups chicken/veggie broth/milk
🧀/4 cup Parmesan cheese
🍋lemon juice to taste
🧂salt to taste
for the pasta:
🌾16 ounces orecchiette
🍠3 cups cubed butternut squash
🥦3 cups broccolini
🧂olive oil, salt, and pepper
🎃pumpkin seeds
🧀additional Parmesan cheese

INSTRUCTIONS
1.SAUCE: Melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and thyme and saute until soft. Add the flour and whisk until smooth – let it cook for a few minutes to avoid a floury taste. Add the wine and whisk to incorporate. Add the broth or milk, 1/2 cup at a time, and whisk to incorporate. When thickened slightly, add more liquid. Finish with the Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and salt to taste. Sauce should be smooth and light.
2.VEGETABLES: Place the veggies on two separate baking sheets. Drizzle with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast at 400 degrees for about 20-30 minutes, until tender but not falling apart.
3.PASTA: Cook the pasta according to package directions. Set aside.
4.FINISH: Toss everything together (sauce, pasta, vegetables, additional broth as needed to keep it loose) and top generously with pumpkin seeds and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

It can be hard to be completely honest in therapy. Certain topics can be tough, but they’re crucial to explore and will ...
10/30/2019

It can be hard to be completely honest in therapy. Certain topics can be tough, but they’re crucial to explore and will help you get the most out of your journey in therapy. According to Psychology Today, here are 5 areas that you should try to be forthright about in your therapy sessions:

Trauma and tragedy

Anxiety and obsessive thoughts

Sexual concerns

Emotions underlying physical pain

How bad things really get

You may find that focusing and digging into these areas in your next session will help you in your day to day life. The goal in partnering with a therapist is to confront the troubles in your life in a safe and professional manner.

Sometimes we think that if we achieve a goal, we will certainly have happiness. What about the part of us that is transf...
10/28/2019

Sometimes we think that if we achieve a goal, we will certainly have happiness. What about the part of us that is transformed in the process of achieving a goal? What does reaching a goal provide for our self confidence and mental health? Goals aren’t just good to have because of the potential final product, they help provide a path of increased self worth, introspection, resilience and figuring out our true potential.

October is National Bullying Prevention month. This was created by PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center, who writ...
10/24/2019

October is National Bullying Prevention month. This was created by PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center, who writes: “Historically, bullying had been viewed as “a childhood rite of passage” that “made kids tougher,” but the reality has always been that bullying can leave devastating and often long-term effects such as a loss of self-esteem, increased anxiety, and depression for those involved.” is tomorrow, where people around the world will wear orange to show that they come together against bullying. How do you take a stand against bullying?

When we are faced with challenges, sometimes we become paralyzed and unable to take action. While it is always good to s...
10/21/2019

When we are faced with challenges, sometimes we become paralyzed and unable to take action. While it is always good to stop and think, this quote from Einstein is a good reminder that balance can only be achieved by action and momentum. 🚲

We spend a lot of time inside our own head: worrying, planning, wondering. While negative thoughts are a normal part of ...
10/17/2019

We spend a lot of time inside our own head: worrying, planning, wondering. While negative thoughts are a normal part of life, they can take a toll on your happiness if you let them. Recognizing when your thoughts are distorted, evaluating the accuracy of your thoughts, and making a conscious effort to release judgement are all ways we can keep the power when it comes to passing negative thoughts.

And remember, you can always seek out professional support if you are unable to manage your thoughts or find they are interfering with your ability to meet your daily responsibilities or enjoy life.

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Los Angeles, CA
90046

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